Depth is even more important in the playoffs.

For the last three seasons, Harvard's fate in the playoffs has been decided in overtime. In the 1998 and 2000 postseasons, the Crimson bowed out with overtime losses to New Hampshire and Dartmouth respectively in the ECAC tournament.

During the 1999 title run, it was a different story. Harvard won those nail-biters, just like it did last night.

Heading into its upcoming showdown with No. 1 Dartmouth this Saturday, Harvard needs every ounce of mental confidence it can muster. The Crimson is 7-2 in overtime games over the past three seasons. Its only two losses have come at the hands of the Big Green.

It was Dartmouth that originally shattered the layer of invincibility that once exemplified Harvard hockey. Dartmouth ended the Crimson's 33-game winning streak with a 5-4 OT victory, and it was the Big Green again who ended Harvard's season last March with a 3-2 OT win in the ECAC semifinals.

Harvard's current four-game losing streak against Dartmouth started, ironically, on the night the Crimson raised its 1999 national championship banner to the rafters. Until Harvard proves to itself that it can beat the Big Green, however, the swagger, the confidence and magic won't return.

Not to downplay the Crimson's third consecutive Beanpot title because it was a tremendous accomplishment, but it was only one step in Harvard's journey back to the nation's elite.