Terriers At Bright Tonight

A few years ago, this would have been a classic. A sure sellout--get your tickets early and don't forget the megaphone. The Boston University hockey team at Harvard, faceoff at 7:30. Hang around later for the fight outside Watson Rink.

Times have changed. The mighty Terriers are off to a 1-2 ECAC start. Last Tuesday, Harvard lost, 11-5, to lowly Northeastern. When Northeastern beats Harvard, 11-5, you know times have changed. Tickets are available for tonight's game.

But don't let the numbers fool you. Saturday night, B.U. simply blew away one of the top teams in the east, Providence College, in an 8-1 massacre (although 11 Friars were absent from the affair--rumors of a curfew violation during P.C.'s western trip). Terrier coach Jackie Parker deadpans, "everything we shot went into the net."

Parker is a fox, and his teams don't stay down for long. Last year, the Terriers hit bottom, with an 8-14 ECAC mark. This year, with forward Todd Johnson back on the team and a young, strong defense anchored by goaltender Jeff Weisman, Parker shouldn't have to settle for 8-14.

The Harvard hockey team isn't used to staying down for long, either. Since the program started in 1895, the icemen have never suffered four consecutive losing seasons. Their last winning mark was a 14-12 in '76-'77, so tradition says this must be the year.

And contrary to Tuesday night's blowout, this two-game old season is no lost cause. Unlike the last three squads, this year's Crimson can score--10 goals in two games, and that's half the battle.

The problem, everyone knows, has been defense. But with a bit of rearranging (Mark Fusco, teaming with Scott Sangster, will move back to his customary right point spot), some inspiration (the home-opener crowd) and a little less pressure ("Our strength is our defense"--Parker), the blueliners might have an easier time of it.

Anyhow, it's Harvard-B.U., and it's worth the trek across the river. Terrier Mark Fidler is fun to watch, Crimson center Phil Falcone, one of four freshmen forwards skating regular shifts, wins every faceoff, and all four lines of Harvard forwards are playing well. And after all, there's always the post-game fight.