The selfless play of some that leads to their lowered numbers has allowed others—like Corriero—to step up in different roles. Corriero leads the Crimson in scoring with 71 points.

“Everyone realizes the motto you keep hearing, ‘team first,’” Ruggiero said. “It’s hard to put ‘team first’ sometimes and everyone’s doing a great job of figuring out what their role is on the team and what they can do individually to contribute—sort of buying into all of the systems that coach has taught us this year.”

In addition, the emergence of an aggressive third line and the solid play of Harvard defensemen—not to mention the many contributions of the freshmen—have all helped fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle.

“We play our hearts out,” McAuliffe said. “We’re playing because we love to play…We’re playing because we love the game. I think that’s really reflected in our style. We hustle, we play for our teammates.”

BALANCE TO THE FORCE

This selfless play and the role fulfillment by each individual have led to a strengthening of team bonds.

“The mood in the locker room is a lot different before games this year as opposed to last year. Last year was a little more serious maybe because everyone thought, this is your year, you’re No. 1, and you have this X on your back,” Ruggiero said. “This year we were No. 1 for a week, so the pressure’s off us. It’s a lot more relaxed in the locker room. People are just enjoying each other. If you’re happy when you step on the ice, you’re more likely to go 100 percent in practice and 100 percent in games.”

The team’s good spirits are not simply accounted for by the win total, but by the atmosphere fostered by both McAuliffe and Ruggiero.

Ruggiero is often recognized around the nation as being the best at what she does. Not only is she a strong defenseman with a lethal offensive arsenal, she is quite simply one of the most talented all-around hockey players in women’s college hockey today. In fact, calling her the best player in the world might not be far off. Her very presence on the ice commands respect from teammates and opposing players alike.

This is balanced by McAuliffe’s style and personality. The epitome of hard work leading to success, McAuliffe has staked her claim as one of Harvard’s premier players by honing her skills through sheer grit and determination.

The captains’ different experiences offer two different but complementing examples of excellence to the rest of the team.

But just as the captains encourage working hard, they give a substantial amount of attention to playing hard as well.

It starts with the singing of the team’s traditional hockey song, Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” to prep for games. It leads into dismounts by freshman Lindsey Weaver. And it culminates with Kat Sweet’s motivational speaking.

“All I have to say about that is every Monday I don’t have a voice,” Sweet said.

“We just have a good time and get pumped up,” Ruggiero said. “You can only focus on hockey for so long.”