The 25th Annual ECAC Tournament--Semifinals

Harvard

Nickname: Crimson

Colors: Crimson and White

Location: Cambridge

Home Ice: Bright Center (3000)

Coach: Bill Cleary '56 (14 years, 206-159-20)

Captain: Scott Fusco

Overall Record: 21-6-1

ECAC Record: 18-3 (first)

Last Year's Record: 21-9-2, 15-5-1 ECAC (second)

This year against Clarkson: W 3-2 at Cambridge; L 5-4 (OT) at Potsdam

This year against Cornell: W 11-3 at Ithaca, W 4-3 (OT) at Cambridge

This year against Yale: L 7-5 at New Haven; W 3-2 at Cambridge.

Scores from ECAC quarterfinal: 2-0, 6-4 vs. Colgate at Cambridge

Leading scorers (goals-assists--points):

Scott Fusco 21-36--57

Tim Barakett 18-28--46

Tim Smith 21-22--43

Allen Bourbeau 18-17--35

Mark Benning 2-33--35

Goalie: Grant Blair 20-4-1, 2.64 g.a.a. (best in the nation), .904 save percentage

Injuries: Captain Scott Fusco is recovering from a separated shoulder suffered against Clarkson 10 days ago and is probable for this weekend. Freshman Chris Biotti (arthroscopic knee surgery) is out.

Past ECAC Playoff Appearances: 17 years (26-17-1)

ECAC Championships Won: 1963, 1971, 1983

Past NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1955 (third place), 1957 (fourth), 1958 (fourth), 1969 (third), 1971 (fourth), 1974 (fourth), 1975 (fourth), 1982 (tie fifth), 1983 (second), 1985 (tie fifth)

Outlook: The Crimson, ranked in the top five in many national polls and the ECAC regular season champion, goes into the Garden as the team to beat. Harvard has all the elements: an experienced pressure goaltender, a durable and deep defense and a machine-like two-line offense with a potent power play. The Crimson have suffered a series of injuries and are without standout freshman Chris Biotti. Whether top scorers Fusco and Bourbeau will be a top form remains an open question as well. The only real question mark for the Crimson is its ability to come from behind. Although Harvard has yet to drop a game by more than two goals, the Crimson has yet to come back if it is trailing after two periods. The team is 21-1-1 if it is ahead after two periods. Harvard needs to get ahead early.