Despite returning its top ten scorers and top goaltender from last year, Cornell received little respect in the preseason ECAC media poll and were picked to finish sixth.
Thus far, the Big Red has proved the pundits wrong—the team is off to a terrific start, winning their first four games by a combined score of 20-4. Cornell is one of only two unbeaten and untied teams in the nation.
Harvard must reduce the number of penalties it commits tonight, as it faces a lethal Cornell power play. The Big Red has converted on a remarkable 40 percent of its chances with the man advantage.
Defensemen Doug Murray (5 g, 3 a) is especially dangerous on the power play. His accurate shot from the blue line has earned him four power play goals already and made him the team’s leading scorer.
Cornell’s biggest strength, however, is on defense. In past meetings, the Big Red has frustrated the Crimson with its methodical play, hindering Harvard’s efforts to use its speed to create offense.
“They try to slow the game down, and we want to establish a quicker tempo,” Turano said. “It’s difficult for us when they’re always clutching and grabbing.”
Cornell’s last line of defense is equally tough. Goaltender Matt Underhill continues to post impressive numbers with a 1.88 goals-against average.
When it faces Colgate Saturday night, Harvard will be in an unusual position— its opponent will be just as young as the Crimson.
A remarkable eleven freshmen and seven sophomores dot the Raiders’ roster, as the team continues to rebuild after its NCAA tournament season in 1999-2000. Colgate finished 10-20-4 last year, missing the ECAC playoffs.
One of Colgate’s newcomers is winger Dmitry Yashin, brother of New York Islanders star Alexei. While not quite as skilled as his older brother, Yashin has scored the most points of any of the Colgate freshmen.
Though Colgate is expected to finish near the bottom of the ECAC standings this year, the team has shown that it is capable of playing well against far more talented opponents, opening up the season with two close losses to No. 7 Nebraska-Omaha.
“They are an extremely hard-working team,” Mazzoleni said. “You can expect their energy level and focus to be high when they play.”
On the other hand, the Raiders were demolished by top-ranked Minnesota the following week, losing two games by a combined 17-0 score.
Colgate might try to emulate Brown’s success against Harvard by playing defensive-minded hockey and hoping to capitalize on counterattacking chances. If so, Harvard will have to show improvement from previous weeks to avoid another upset loss.