The Crimson’s one postseason loss against the Tigers came in the 2008 ECAC League Championship, when then 15th-ranked Princeton outskated Harvard, 4-1, drawing the Crimson’s late-season comeback to a close.

Last season, Harvard similarly experienced a mid-winter slump and executed key victories towards the end of the season, entering the playoffs with high morale.

But much to fans’ dismay, the Crimson’s postseason ambitions unexpectedly hit a roadblock, as the Bears knocked Harvard out in the first round.

“Last year, we were a higher seed, and just took things for granted,” Huxley said. “Anyone can beat anyone on a given night. This postseason, we know we’re playing an offensively strong team. We’re just more prepared and need to get off to a strong start.”

This time around, the Crimson seeks a much higher finish.

“We’re coming into the first round of the playoffs with a great week of practice,” Del Mauro said. “We played hard last week, and if we really battle this weekend, I definitely think we can pull out two wins a row against Princeton.”