Maki likes the old adage that, at this point in the season, the freshmen aren’t really freshmen anymore. That’s been especially true this season for Maki, and the team’s other freshman forwards, Kevin Du and Steve Mandes.

With veteran front-liners Kenny Turano, Andrew Lederman, and Charlie Johnson out with injuries at different times during the season, Du, Mandes, and Maki have seen plenty of ice time. Du is the only member of his class to have played in all 29 games, but Maki (27) and Mandes (26) are close behind.

“We’re not like the wide-eyed freshmen who came in at the beginning of the year,” said Maki, who has played in 24 straight games. “We know the ropes now.”

Meanwhile, Maki has enjoyed the non-hockey aspect of Harvard life. He said his classes are tougher than they were at his public high school, but that some careful time management has helped him enjoy Yard life. Overall, Harvard’s been everything he expected, “and more.”

“I’ve learned a lot this year,” he said. “Hockey’s been fun, and I have great roommates. It’s been a great experience.”

And now he’s got a couple goals to show for it.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

From the bench, Mazzoleni liked what he saw from junior defenseman Ryan Lannon Saturday night. But it wasn’t until he broke down the tape that he realized exactly how good Lannon played.

Lannon recorded 12 hits, according to the team’s unofficial statistics—the highest single-game total for a player in Mazzoleni’s five years here.

“He was a rock back there,” Mazzoleni said. “That’s the best game he’s played here.”

Lannon was paired with sophomore Peter Hafner in that game, since Hafner’s normal partner, All-American Noah Welch, was out of the lineup (coach’s decision).

Mazzoleni, who has been impressed with Hafner’s play over the last month, liked the job Lannon and Hafner did on Dartmouth’s top line and said he “might” play them together again this weekend.

“It worked pretty well on Saturday,” said Hafner, who has skated with Lannon during practice this week. “He’s excellent.”

Meanwhile, Mazzoleni’s decision as to which defenseman he will sit keeps getting more and more difficult. Captain Kenny Smith was plus-6 last weekend, and senior Dave McCulloch was plus-4. Lannon, sophomore Tom Walsh, and freshman Dylan Reese each had assists on Saturday.

Mazzoleni said yesterday that he has not yet established his defensive lineup for the weekend.