M. Pucksters to Visit Cornell

Upstate New York is a nice place to visit for the weekend. With all the hustle and buslte of Boston, a three-day jaunt into the country sounds like the perfect remedy for a bad case of "city blues."

Or, for the Harvard men's hockey team, a trip to upstate New York might be the best cure for a serious case of "legitimacy blues."

Thus far, the Crimson has confounded the critics--who picked Harvard to finish third in the league--by jumping to a 5-0, first-place start. The Crimson's first five league opponents, however, have a combined 7-18 ECAC record.

This weekend, Harvard (5-0 ECAC, 4-0 Ivy) faces Cornell tonight and Colgate Sunday afternoon in the peaceful confines of rural New York. But the action on the ice may not be as peaceful as a clear, star-lit country night. Harvard has become the marked team of the league. The team everyone wants to beat.

"These are the toughest two teams we will have played thus far," Harvard Coach Bill Cleary said.

Terry Slater's Red Raiders (3-1 ECAC, 7-1 overall), although tied for third in the league with three other teams, are still considered by many to be one of the top teams in the ECAC and the nation.

"Colgate is a legitimately good hockey team," Cleary said. "They deserve their national status."

Cornell (3-1 ECAC, 1-0 Ivy, 4-1 overall) also finds itself tied for third in the league. And with the help of the now-famous antics of Lynah Rink's fans, the Big Red have a big, red carpet all rolled out for the Crimson.

When Cornell junior forward Joe Nieuwendyk--last year's ECAC Player of the Year--skipped his final year to play in the NHL, the Big Red had to find a legitimate scorer if it was to make a run at the league title.

Looks like first-year Coach Brian McCutcheon found more than he needed. The trio of Trent Anderson, Chris Grenier and Casey Jones have combined for eight goals and 18 assists in five games. Without a standout scorer, Cornell, like Harvard, has been getting consistent offensive production from several players.

The freshmen goaltending tandem of Jim Crozier (3.00 goals-against-average, .903 save percetage) and Corrie D'Alessio (2.35, .931) has been impressive.

But the Big Red's edge lies in its home rink that seats 4,100 screaming Cornellians. Cleary has lost more games in Ithaca (11) than at any other ECAC site.

"We like to play the same style of hockey [as Harvard]," McCutcheon said. "We like to skate and handle the puck. That's the way hockey should be played."

Colgate, which has never won an ECAC title, has turned this season into a quest for the elusive league championship. After an impressive 6-5 victory over St. Lawrence two weeks ago, the Red Raiders have proven they have the firepower to challenge Harvard for the title.

With Rejean Boivin's 13 goals and five assists, Colgate has tremendous offensive strength. Greg Dreschel (four goals, eight assists, 12 points) and Steve Spott (6-6--12) round out Slater's Raider attack.

Slater's greatest edge lies in front of the net with junior goalie Wayne Cowley--a Second-Team All-ECAC selection. In six games this year, Cowley has posted a 5-1 record, a 3.16 g.a.a and a .909 save percentage. In a league dominated by freshmen netminders, Cowley's experience gives the Raiders a seasoned veteran in the game's most crucial position.

"They'll be strong," Slater said of the first-place Crimson. "We're winning, but we're getting out-played and out-shot. I'm afraid our bubble might burst."

As for the Crimson, Cleary hopes his "Fab Five" (the freshman group of Peter Ciavaglia, Ted Donato, goalie Michael Francis, Mike Vukonich, and John Weisbrod) can continue its impressive early-season performance.

"We are young," Cleary said, "but we have shown some improvement."

Leading scorer and top defenseman Don Sweeney (2-6--8), along with Captain Steve Armstrong, lead a Crimson squad that has shone in its first five games. In final period play alone, Harvard has outscored its opponents, 10-1.

But despite Harvard's moments of brilliance, Cleary still thinks that his squad has not yet reached an even level of play.

"We have to be more consistent," Cleary said. "We keep getting more consistent every game we go through."

As for this weekend, upstate New York will not be a coveted getaway weekend for the Crimson, but more like extra time at the office.

"It will be a battle for us," Cleary said, "but we want it to be like that. We're looking forward to it."