“I think one of the biggest things is having a long reach,” Packard explained. “Being 6’5, you have a pretty long stick, so you’re able to cut down a lot of passes or shots that might get through someone who may be a little bit smaller.”

And though Packard lost out to Colgate’s Jon Smyth for ECAC Defensive Forward of the Year honors just over a week ago, he didn’t seem fazed against Dartmouth or Clarkson, especially when he netted the final goal of the championship with just 13 seconds remaining.

“It’s obviously a precious thing,” said senior Tyler Kolarik of Packard’s range. “It’s hard to find a guy with good hands like that, and he’s an offensive threat as much as he’s a defensive threat.”

It is a forward’s defensive prowess which is so rare, though, and it has been especially impressive on the top penalty kill unit, with which Reilly works closely.

Since a dismal 3-1 loss to Northeastern in the consolation round of the Beanpot, the Crimson has killed an impressive 86.2 percent of its penalties. In the ECAC playoffs, the team improved to 89.3 percent. And since the beginning of Harvard’s current seven-game winning streak, the squad has smothered 91.7 percent.

Packard attributes a great deal of his personal success on the unit to his collaboration with senior Rob Fried, who skated right wing to Packard’s left for part of this season.

“I’ve been killing a lot of penalties with Rob Fried,” Packard explained. “We’re starting to develop some pretty good chemistry on the penalty kill, kind of knowing where each other are, and we’re reading off of each other pretty well.”

LINING THEM UP

Of late, the best story for the Harvard hockey fans has been that of the patchwork and highly successful line containing Packard, junior Brendan Bernakevitch and freshman Ryan Maki.

The trio has skated together since the start of the Crimson’s win streak—which began with a 4-0 drubbing of Dartmouth in the regular season finale—and has generated 16 points thus far.

“Both [Bernakevitch and Maki] are great individual players,” Smith said, “[and] I think Pack brings a lot of leadership to that line.”

“They get to watch him and see exactly how hard you have to work to be successful.”

No stranger to offensive eruptions, Bernakevitch—who has notched 10 points since joining the line—has come on strong since exam break, with 18 points to his name since January 31.

Maki has also benefited from the grouping, only recently breaking an offensive dry spell. The rookie has tallied more points in the past month—four—than he had in the first three and a half—three. He also shares Packard’s hulking frame, soft hands and strong work ethic.

“It’s a real treat for Maki to get to play with those two,” Smith said. “In the next couple years, having played with those two will really have helped him.”