After the loss, the Class of 2000 preferred to focus on the good times.

"My Harvard career was a complete success," Prestifilippo said. "I went to the best school in the country. I met some great people. I'm proud of what our senior class has started for this program."

"The eight seniors have left the program heading in the right direction," Allman said. "I'm proud of the things we've accomplished."

Also, these seniors mark the first graduating class for Mazzoleni. Though the Crimson did not improve markedly in the standings this year, he has begun to turn the program around in terms of work ethic and discipline.

With a large and extremely talented recruiting class coming next year, Mazzoleni already had one eye on the future.

"The seniors did everything we asked of them for this stage of the rebuilding job," Mazzoleni said. "This type of loss is what carries you through all the offseason training. I can promise you the next time we roll in here, our team is going to be different."

When the two teams lined up for post-series handshakes, the old Cornell tradition resurfaced and a few fish flew to the ice. Hopefully, Mazzoleni and the 1999-2000 Crimson have laid the groundwork for the revival of an old Harvard tradition--winning.