But the Crimson can take the first steps right now with its competitiveness on the ice. It doesn't have to dominate to start attracting a following, and the ECAC is not the CCHA.

Encouraging signs came at the end of the Cornell game, when junior defenseman Liam McCarthy finally tried to respond to the unfolding embarrassment, by ramming Cornell winger Shane Palahicky over his own bench and refusing to stop shoving until he had shown Palahicky to his seat.

A much more impressive showing came the following night, when the Crimson came back from a third period deficit to tie Colgate, a much more talented team than Cornell. Senior winger Scott Turco bagged a beautiful goal at 10:24 to send the game into overtime. The Crimson has had difficulty all season in playing from behind.

Harvard has the ultimate chance to make a statement both to college hockey and to its own school tonight at the prestigious Beanpot Tournament. It has a chance to end No. 4 Boston University's five-year run as champions at the Fleet Center.

The Crimson narrowly lost to the Terriers 2-1 earlier this year, and with junior center Steve Moore making a successful return to the lineup Saturday, the team stands a fighter's chance in this Best-of-Boston battle. Harvard has always played BU very tough regardless of rankings.

An upset victory will undoubtedly draw some Crimson fans out to the Fleet Center to cheer on a shot at Harvard's first Beanpot since 1993.

No the support won't be enough for the Crimson to chant "This is our house" with justification. But an audible "Let's Go Harvard" would be a nice beginning.