The final matchup is Yale-Cornell.

Besides matching the fourth and fifth seeds, this are has a lot of other interesting facets.

First, Yale and Cornell played a 9-8 game just a few weeks ago. The loss cost the Big Red sole possession of the Ivy title.

Forget that, though--you never, ever, forget a 9-8 hockey game.

Incidentally, the three-way lie for the Ivy title between the Crimson, Cornell and Yale was the first-ever three-way split of the league title.

There hasn't been an outright winner now in three years, either.

Back to the Yale-Cornell game. They'll probably have to bring extra stretchers to Lynah to carry out all the bodies. The Elis and the Red are the two hardest hitting (read: dirtiest) teams in the East and in the wake of the 9-8 affair, no quarter will be asked--and none given.

No matter who wins, and Cornell rates a slight favorite because of the Lynah advantage, there will be plenty of bruises to go around the morning after.

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Goalies often make the difference in the playoffs, and Crimson netminder Grant Blair enters this weekend's series in top form. Blair is still tied with Bruce Durno '71 for the Harvard career shutout record (seven).

The junior netminder enjoyed a brilliant performance Saturday against Clarkson (one goal allowed, 22 saves). The single goal didn't come until the last five minutes.

"I knew I had a shortout but I forgot about the record," Blair said after the game. "Breaking it's no big deal. Tying it was big. There's no pressure on me now."

Blair needs 113 saves to tie the Harvard career saves record (2160) and 115 saves to tie the single-season record (762). Both records are currently held by Wade Lau '82.

Blair will reach both figures this year if the Crimson advances to the NCAA's and gets the two or four extra games in.

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