And, like a true difference-maker, Moore has played his best hockey late in the season. Since Harvard’s 2-1 loss to Boston University in the Beanpot semifinals, he has been one of the hottest players in the nation, racking up 25 points over 10 games.

During that span, Moore has played between wingers Charlie Johnson and Kenny Turano, both of whom haveseen their production increase thanks to Moore’s playmaking capabilities.

“After every shift, he gets back on the bench and tells us what we’re doing right and how we can improve,” said Johnson, who leads Harvard freshmen in scoring with 17 points. “He’s been the absolute leader of this team. He’s the kind of player I fashion myself to be someday. I just have so much respect for him as a player and a person. He’s such a leader and a calming presence for us.”

Even considering his team-high 47 points, it may be Moore’s ability to keep the team on an even keel that is his biggest asset during the pressure-filled postseason.

“He’s a very cool, very calm customer,” said Harvard coach Mark Mazzoleni. “Not a lot gets Dom excited, and that’s really become a strength of his. He doesn’t get too shaken up about things. Probably the one that does is me—I’m up and down—but Dom stays pretty balanced. That really works out well for us.”

Things weren’t always so smooth last season. Moore got frustrated when the team struggled and sometimes tried to do too much to compensate.

“The attitude I’ve always been successful with was to just go out and play, and I think I got away from that a little last year,” Moore said. “I was putting pressure on myself. When you’re a scorer, there’s a lot of pressure on you to consistently produce, and I think I was trying to create sometimes when things weren’t there. This year I’ve learned to take it all in, seize the opportunity and take a more relaxed approach.

“People can say what they want about last year as far as my individual performance, but I kind of believe that there’s no such thing as a bad experience. I learned a lot of things last season that made me a better player and a better person. It was never about proving anything; it was just going out there and doing my job.”

Now, Moore and his classmates—the first group of players to play for Mazzoleni from the start of their careers—have several weeks to leave their mark on the Harvard program.

“It’s my last chance, and as a captain it’s an added responsibility,” he said. “I’ve tried to create a collective atmosphere of winning on the team this year. This is the best team I’ve played for, and the most fun I’ve had here.

“Our expectations are farther than where we got last year. That’s something we take pride in as the leadership of the team.”

Harvard’s Hammer

Mazzoleni calls it a “hammer.” Tom Cavanagh thinks it’s closer to a “blast.” Others lean toward “cannon.”

Call it what you will, but be sure your hyperbole of choice captures just how strong Tim Pettit’s slap shot really is.

“Timmy has developed into probably our most dangerous offensive weapon,” Mazzoleni said. “He’s a kid that really has tremendous offensive instincts, excellent puck skills, and is arguably one of the hardest shotsin all of college hockey. He’s just a real natural finisher. He knows how to finish plays.”