With their relationship, it might as well have been a foregone conclusion. How could two best friends not complement one another so well on the ice?

“We’ve almost begun to think the same way,” Lewis said. “We were always on the same page.”

Apparently, it was a page in the league’s record books.

Thriving on the national stage, the two helped lead the Forge to a 43-9-4 record—and a national title.

“Both Dylan and I got pictures of the trophy together, rather than as individuals,” Lewis said. “I don’t know how much of an emotional moment it was, but it meant so much to us, winning the national championship, playing together on the same line.”

Now, facing off for a third time—and with a shot at the NCAA Tournament at stake—it will be equally emotional, but one’s victory will be the other’s bitter defeat, placing these two in very unfamiliar territory.

“As much as we joke about it, about him beating us, I’m looking for revenge, hopefully this weekend,” Lewis said. “But this is the first time the loser will be eliminated. This will end the loser’s season.”

But with all these two have been through together, one thing is certain.

Regardless of which team advances to the ECAC finals with a win tomorrow in Albany, the loser will be in the stands cheering on his friend—just like always.

—Staff writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.