But nothing is certain—the Bears have lost three of their regular blueliners from last year, and, as Donato was quick to point out, the Brown squad has no more experience than does the Crimson at this point.

Rather, Harvard is looking to improve upon its own performance last week.

“Hopefully we got all our missed nets and off-the-posts out of the way last weekend, and we’ll be ready to go,” said Donato with a grin.

What remains to be seen in tonight’s contest is, really, who will be ready to go between the Brown pipes. There are always unkowns in the first game of the season.

“One thing I do know, though,” Mandes said. “Danis is gone. Which is great.”

—Staff writer Rebecca A. Seesel can be reached at seesel@fas.harvard.edu.