In addition to Fields, the Terriers boast a solid compliment of skilled forwards, including junior Frantisek Skladany and senior John Sabo. BU’s blue line is anchored by sophomore Ryan Whitney, who rivals Harvard sophomore Noah Welch for the title of best defenseman in town.

For the Crimson to beat BU, it will have to capitalize on Terrier miscues. Successfully jumping on BU mistakes was a key factor in Cornell’s pair of wins over the Terriers earlier this season.

“BU is a very high-energy team,” Mazzoleni said. “They’re an emotional team. That’s one of the reasons why BU is the most penalized team in Hockey East. They play highly emotional, and that can go against them. We’ve got to be emotionally even and disciplined and not take unnecessary penalties.”

If Harvard succeeds in doing that, it may end a four-year drought and finally reach the Beanpot Championship. If that happens, it may end the second Monday in February hosting the pride of Boston high overhead, a feat not managed in Cambridge since 1993.

—Staff writer Timothy M. McDonald can be reached at tmcdonal@fas.harvard.edu.