"That is one of the biggest challenges," Botterill said. "In the past a team may not have been as successful, but you have to prepare for every game. In our league the competition is so good you never know who will come out on top and play a great game."
Harvard will vie for its third consecutive Beanpot title against NU at B.C. Harvard won back-to-back titles in 1999-2000 and 1982-83.
"We have never won three in a row," Ingram said. "And it is always nice to do something for the first time."
But is Harvard in danger of looking past this weekend's games at Yale and Princeton because of Beanpot distractions?
"We have a lot of work to do in preparation for this weekend," Stone said. "We're not going to spend time in the next couple of days talking about the Beanpot final. We really need to accomplish what we need to do in the weekend and go from there."
The Huskies currently hold the record for most consecutive Beanpot titles. NU won eight straight in a stretch from 1984-91.
"It would be great to win the Beanpot," Botterill said. "It is such a tradition in Boston and a lot of fun to play."
Harvard has faced NU in the finals 13 of the last 15 years dating back to 1986, and has won the last two. The last time Harvard failed to make the finals was 1996.