The real payoff for the level at which Harvard had been playing was the second game against Yale in the playoffs. Some Eli antics sparked a comeback in which a 3-1 second period Crimson lead turned right around to a 4-3 deficit a couple of minutes into the third. But this HaHarvar Harvard team was composed and disciplined and promptly went about putting together a four goal period to bury the Bulldogs.

This clearly was not a win the Crimson of a couple of years ago would've executed.

Mazzoleni has not only gotten his present talent to perform at a higher level but has radically upgraded the quality of Harvard's recruiting. He has entrenched Harvard's dominance over the top prep school players, bringing it Tyler Kolarik, Robert Fried and Kenny Smith from that pipeline and has opened up other channels in Canada that the CCHA normally plucks.

With next year's recruiting class, led by three stud defensemen and the son of Harvard great Joe Cavanagh '71, appearing to be as strong, the Crimson will only keep getting better.

Harvard hockey has turned a corner. The Crimson will be among the favorites along with Dartmouth and Cornell next year to take the ECAC crown.

Not since 1993-94, when Harvard went to the Frozen Four, was the Crimson a feared opponent. That respect is back, and the rewards are sure to follow. Well done, coach.