Presto Blanks to Begin Mazzoleni Era

PROVIDENCE--Though it's too early to tell, it seems that the Harvard men's hockey team is having no problem adjusting to it's new system.

The Crimson (1-0, 1-0 Ivy) blanked Brown (0-1, 0-1 Ivy) in the season opener at Meehan Auditorium last Saturday 1-0, its first season-opening shutout since Harvard defeated the Bears 5-0 in 1987.

Junior center Harry Schwefel lit the lamp once against Brown's star netminder Scott Stirling at 9:03 in the first period, netting a power-play goal in the top right shelf on a pass from Steve Moore.

Though this goal ultimately sealed the Bears' fate, it was senior goaltender J.R. Prestifilippo who saved the win for the Crimson.

With 3:35 to go in the third period, Brown's Chris Legg skirted the Crimson defense, and even had Prestifilippo beat in the crease, attempting to slide the puck around Prestifilippo.

It shocked all 2,317 in attendance to see Prestifilippo drop the puck out of his glove and preserve the Crimson's one-goal lead.

"He [Prestifilippo] was the difference," Harvard Coach Mark Mazzoleni said. "Especially when they made the big play and the guy went in uncontested. He stole that goal, no doubt about it."

With only one game under its belt, the Crimson has already shown marked improvement from last year when it started 0-8-1 start in the ECAC.

"I was proud of the way we competed, especially in the third period," Mazzoleni said. "I was pleased with a lot of the things we did, but we have a lot of room for improvement."

Mazzoleni's plan of "smart, simple hockey" was in effect from the start, with a lot of quick, short passes up the ice, allowing Harvard eight shots on goal in the first period.

The Bears tried to respond to Harvard's superior skating by stepping up its physical play. This caused both teams to take penalties--six for Brown in the game, and seven for the Crimson.

"We definitely gotta cut those down," Schwefel said. "We took a couple of stupid penalties, and a couple that could have gone either way. But we have to cut those down either way."

Brown forward Matt Kohansky took the first penalty for hooking at 2:47 in the first period, giving the Crimson its first power play of the season. Harvard was unable to capitalize on that opportunity, but the next penalty would prove fatal to the Bears.

The Crimson struck gold on its second power play, after Brown defenseman Mike Pratt was called for roughing at 8:04 in the first.

Freshman defenseman Aaron Kim worked the puck to Moore, who was standing behind the goal. Moore sped a pass to Schwefel for the game-winner.

"The team's clicking as a whole," Schwefel said. "And when the team clicks as a whole, the power play clicks with it."

Kim garnered his first career point for the Crimson with the secondary assist on the goal.

"I think Aaron Kim did a hell of a job," Mazzoleni said. "He logged an awful lot of ice time."

Shortly after Schwefel beat Stirling, Brown replaced him with sophomore goaltender Graham McNally. Stirling left the ice at 10:40 due to a groin injury.

Both teams struggled through the second period as the physical intensity increased. Harvard suffered three penalties, while Brown was only penalized once.

The freshmen especially had to adjust quickly to the fast-paced physical game, and lacking experience at this level, some had to pay the price.

The Bears' winger John Petricig and freshman winger Brett Nowak were both served penalties at 5:05 in the second period. Petricig was seated for slashing, while Nowak was called for hitting after the whistle.

"I thought the freshmen held their own. They're only going to get better as they get the feel for the pace and strength," Mazzoleni said. "They'll learn the little things you can't do at this level versus how you used to be able to do them at the other level."

Brown almost made good on a few of its threats, coming closest on the Bears' Jason Wilson breakaway at 9:50 in to the second period.

Prestifilippo was simply magical as he stoned Wilson, one of his 26 saves on the night.

"Our goaltender came up very, very big for us when we needed him," Mazzoleni said. "When we broke down, he was there to bail us out."

Though not perfect, Harvard's defense was very effective at breaking up most of Brown's long passes, and prevented the Bears from snagging rebounds.

The Crimson escaped the second period unscathed and proceeded to control the puck for a good portion of the third period.

Junior winger Chris Bala took a tripping penalty 38 seconds in to the third, giving Brown the early advantage.

Bears' captain Tyler Garrow nullified the Brown penalty at 2:13 getting nabbed for interference.

Despite ample opportunity, Brown had a number of chances to score by the crease, but the stellar performance of Prestifilippo between the pipes, including his phenomenal save at 3:35 left in the third.

"The guy got it past the cross and got me out of position a little bit," Prestifilippo said. "I laid back and I was fortunate to make the save."

All told, the Crimson left Providence with its first win of the season and look to add two more in its first home weekend of the season, battling Dartmouth and Vermont.