They were pleasantly surprised that it was only one. Not until the second period did Harvard explode for five goals, paving the way for an 8-1 win over Dartmouth.

In fact, the whole tournament carried that sense of expectation. This was not a competition to determine the best team in the ECAC, but a scripted coronation of the undisputed champion.

It certainly will shock quite a few to learn that UNH attempted a massive rewrite, holding a late-game lead. In a true Hollywood ending, that only forced Harvard to show the heart of a champion as well as the skill.

Still, it would be nice if a Crimson sports team did not have to be the best team ever in the history of the sport to catch the school's attention. Ask the men's hockey team how embarrassing it is to have Cornell fans transform Bright Hockey Center into Lynah Rink East.

This type of support, at least for home games, ought to be automatic.

However, it's beautiful to see the women's hockey team, the current standard-bearer of Harvard athletics, feel the love of its classmates.

"Knowing that we have a really solid team behind us gives us a lot of confidence," sophomore forward Tammy Shewchuk said. "It allows us to go out and play Harvard hockey."

A reporter followed up Shewchuk's response by asking her what exactly is Harvard hockey.