Pucksters Are Confident Despite Defeat by B.U.

Ten straight games?

"I think we can do it," Harvard hockey captain Kevin Carr said yesterday. "You've got to take one game at a time, but we could win our next ten games and finish in the top four."

Those top four are the top four teams in the east--which earn berths in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference playoffs. Carr and several other Harvard skaters are still confident that Harvard will finish high, despite the 6-5 loss to Boston University Monday night.

Pucks Bounce? My Ass!

"Some bounces just didn't go our way," freshman defenseman Jim Trainor said after yesterday's practice. "A lot of those second period shots could have gone in."

Although Harvard outshot B.U., 10-6, in that crucial frame, the Crimson still trailed 3-1 after Ken Kuzyk scored for the Terriers. "They killed off some penalties, and that last score really hurt us," Carr said.

The game-winning empty net goal at 19:26 of the third period hurt the most. "The open net goal won it, but Billy Clearly made the right choice taking Petrovek out then," Carr said.

Bell Rings!

A David Bell score for Harvard with nine seconds left prompted second guessing from the spectators. "Well, B.U. let up a little," Carr said. "It was still a hell of a shot by David."

Carr is one of five Crimson players who had exams on the day of the game. B.U. held exams before Christmas.

"I don't think they're any better than we are," senior Peter Owen said. "We were disappointed, but we're not disheartened."

A hyperextended knee forced freshman Gene Purdy to miss yesterday's practice. "Even though I didn't have one of my better games, it was a lot of fun," he said yesterday. "I'm looking forward to more tournaments, but I feel bad for the seniors."

Coming Off

"Coming off exam period, I thought we played pretty well," sophomore Jon Keely said. "The long lay-off really hurt us."

Harvard's next game is at Princeton on Friday, "Perenially they're not too good," Owen said.

"We can't afford any letdowns," Owens added. "We're not the greatest team, and every time out we have to play our best."

After Northeastern next Monday night in the Beanpot consolation, the remaining games are all Ivy League competition, including a contest with Penn, which upset Harvard earlier this season.

"The rest of the schedule is not so tough," Purdy said. "No more Providences, Boston Colleges, Browns, and thank God, no more B.U.'s."

An ECAC committee will select the top four teams in the east from a roster including Harvard. Clarkson, B.U., Brown and New Hampshire. "There are probably a couple of other teams you can't count out of it yet," Trainor said.

Fire Hydrants

With a 14-1 record, top-ranked B.U. is first in line for the number one playoff berth, with New Hampshire close behind. If Harvard could reel off ten straight wins, the Crimson might get a third chance to knock off the Terriers.

"I thought we played well, although at times we were a bit sloppy," senior Kevin Burke said optimistically yesterday. "But we'll see B.U. again in the ECAC playoffs."