Harvard-Cornell hockey is still bigger news on the Cayuga than the Charles, but epic ECAC championship bouts between the schools the last two years have resuscitated the rivalry in these parts.

Everyone wants to play in this one—Crimson players included.

Let’s face it: Bright Hockey Center should be renamed Bright Reading Center. It’s as quiet as a library on Friday and Saturday nights.

On the other hand, what’s not to love about Lynah’s electric atmosphere. Even people who’ve never been there before are looking forward to it.

“I’ve never been there or played there, but it’s all I hear about,” said Harvard freshman Dylan Reese. “I hear it’s one of the best places in college hockey to play, and in the world, frankly. I’m excited.”

So, forget the records and polls. Or, put them front and center on the bulletin board, if you’d like.

Either way, the game’s the thing.

Who will be the Son of Sam?

In as balanced a rivalry as this has been—four overtime games among the last nine—both teams have heroes. And in the most recent renewals of this one, Sam Paolini has been it for Cornell, and Tyler Kolarik for Harvard.

Paolini, who scored eight of 37 career goals against the Crimson, had the overtime game-winner in last year’s ECAC championship game. A feel-good story, Paolini earned the Hockey Humanitarian Award at the end of the season.

Paolini’s graduation has left Kolarik as the player with the most impressive history in the rivalry. Kolarik had a fairly important overtime goal of his own, in the 2002 ECAC championship game, and has more points against the Big Red (eight, on four goals and four assists) than any other Harvard player. Kolarik also leads the Crimson in scoring this year, with three goals and eight assists.

“Tyler Kolarik is a guy who, from a coach’s perspective, you can depend on every night, no matter if the score is close, or one-sided, or if it’s home versus the road,” said Harvard coach Mark Mazzoleni. “He brings the same focus, level of energy, and intensity to the rink every night.

“Those are the type of guys you win with. You don’t have to pump air up their ass to play. You know what you’re going to get.”

In Kolarik’s case, that means big goals. After all, were it not for Mark McRae’s goal late in last year’s title game, Kolarik’s third-period marker would have decided that championship, as well.

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