This year, along with Vaillancourt, they will look to continue in the Harvard tradition of having one of the most dangerous offenses in all of Division I.
“[Our first line] should prove to be one of the two most potent, I hope, in college hockey,” Stone said. “I know one that is happening out in Minnesota, in the twin cities, but these guys are pretty good.”
The other option that Harvard has considered is splitting the talent on this first line amongst a number of more even-strength lines. After testing this strategy against Dartmouth in a recent scrimmage, the Crimson moved towards consolidating the three stars and trying to maintain powerful second and third lines that can also put the puck in the back of the net.
“Either split them all up and make three even lines or you just go for it,” Stone said, “and I think we’re just going to go for it now and see how it works. They have only been together for two days and its pretty fun to watch.”
“I think we are going to be a very good team because there is great team chemistry, and the kids are working extremely hard—which is always a trademark of our program,” Stone said.
Last year, Harvard’s third line of offense—led by current tri-captain Kat Sweet—gave the Crimson a balanced attack that left opponents with no room to breath.
Sweet scored seven goals last year—which might not compare to the overwhelming numbers of Chu or Corriero, but provided Harvard with a powerful forecheck—just what it needed to be one of the best teams in college hockey.
“What made us so good last year was our third line,” Stone said. “We had the best third line in college hockey by far. The same thing should happen again this year. When you have that, there is just a whole other level of confidence.”
“I felt the same way last year as I do this. It wasn’t until Christmas and we were playing Duluth that I thought, wow, we are pretty good,” Stone continued. “I wasn’t sure up until that point, and so I think it’s going to be very similar. I think we are going to be good, but good is the enemy of great.”
“Regardless of what we’re doing, whether it’s our brutal 300 yard shuttle test, or tough dry-land conditioning, everyone was so positive and enthusiastic, really motivating one another and encouraging each other, and putting 100 percent in everything they did,” said tri-captain Nicole Corriero.
Harvard starts its quest for greatness this weekend at Bright Hockey Center against Colgate and Cornell.
—Staff writer Gabriel M. Velez can be reached at gmvelez@fas.harvard.edu.