Cornell also had little problem slowing the Harvard attack at the Bright, which features a slightly-larger-than-normal surface.

As tough as it is to score on Cornell, the Big Red has as much trouble scoring on its opponents. The team ranks ahead only of lowly Brown in scoring offense, scoring only two goals a game.

Cornell's ability to score is dependent on its power play, as almost half of the Big Red's goals this season have come with the man advantage. Harvard, however, has shown a tendency to take unnecessary penalties in recent games, especially in last weekend's series against Yale.

"Against Cornell, if you don't take penalties, then they don't get the power play and then they have a real difficult time scoring goals," Mazzoleni said. "That is gonna be a real key for us."

After being blistered with 68 shots in two games against Yale, Harvard senior goaltender Oli Jonas figures to see less action against Cornell. Jonas has been the undisputed team MVP this season, saving the Crimson from potential disaster created by its sometimes-suspect defense.

"If we didn't have Oliver Jonas in goal, we would've been in the lower half of the teams who made the playoffs," Mazzoleni said. "As Oliver goes, our team goes."

Jonas was recognized for his superb season yesterday when he received the Ken Dryden Award, given to the ECAC goaltender of the year.