SPORTS BRIEF: W. Hockey scrimmages with conference rival Dartmouth

Sometimes it takes a rivalry to see where a team stands.

The Harvard women’s hockey team took on archrival Dartmouth in a scrimmage yesterday evening—when other teams around the country are warming up against prep school squads. The two teams do not face off in the regular season until Feb. 5, 2005, but have been ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the preseason ECAC poll, with the Big Green in the top spot.

“You might as well face off against a really good team to know where you stand,” captain defenseman Kat Sweet said.

Nevertheless, the contest was simply a chance for both teams to get some on ice time before the season starts against an actual opponent next week.

“Although its clichéd to say, I really think it was a great learning experience,” Sweet said. “It was a good chance for the freshmen on our team to work their jitters out on the ice before next week. It was essentially a big practice.”

After playing a regular first period with the scoreboard off, the two teamsplayed a second period that focused on up and down situations and combination plays.

The Crimson starts off the season Nov. 5 against Colgate at home on the ice at Bright Hockey Center.

—GABRIEL M. VELEZ