According to Stone, the third line was the best line on the ice for the first two periods of Harvard's 4-3 OT win over Northeastern last Tuesday. If the trio of freshman Lauren McAuliffe, junior Vanessa Bazzocchi and freshman Mina Pell can continue to eat ice-time early in the game, they may be the Crimson's biggest weapon.

With the third line staying on the ice, the top two lines can rest for when it really counts.

"The last three weeks have been pretty grueling for us," Stone said. "Our conditioning has been a huge bonus for us. As a result, we've been able to maintain a high level of play."

Harvard has also been getting some stellar play in pressure-filled games from freshman goaltender Jessica Ruddock.

"Ruddock earned the shutout today, no question about it," Stone said. "Some days you get lucky on a shutout, but she had to come up with a very solid performance tonight. She kept us in it today."

Ruddock registered 37 saves last night for the first time in her career as the Crimson exploded at the other end of the ice against one of the conference's top goaltenders.

Brown netminder Pam Dreyer had not allowed more than four goals in a single game all season, and she had allowed four only twice, once against Harvard earlier in the year.

Brown outshot Harvard 37-24 last night. It was only the fourth time all season the Crimson has been outshot and Ruddock made the difference.