NEBULOUS EXPECTATIONS

Coming off of a national runner-up season in 2014-2015, Harvard had clear expectations to challenge for the ECAC and even a national title last season, an expectation buoyed by the lofty 4/5 ranking given to the team at the start of the season.

This season, things are murkier for the squad. Predicted to finish fifth in the preseason ECAC poll, there is no clear expectation for the team to challenge for the conference title outside of the program.

A fifth place finish during the regular season would leave the Crimson in a tough position if they want to return to the NCAA tournament. Harvard would have to start on the road in a three-game quarterfinal series against the No. 4 seed before likely having to play two more road games to get the conference title.

Unless the Crimson can establish itself as a top six to eight team by the time the ECAC playoffs roll around, the team will likely have to win the title in order to secure an automatic bid instead of a potential at-large bid.

While it may be tempting to look towards the end of the season, however, Harvard will need to get off to a good start on Sunday. With the team largely under the radar this offseason, a good start to the season against the Big Green could go a long way for confidence later on in the season.

Staff writer Julio Fierro can be reached at

julio.fierro@thecrimson.com.