SPORTS BRIEF: Harvard 12th in National Polls

A week after receiving the second spot in both the coaches’ and the media’s ECAC preseason poll, the Harvard men’s hockey team garnered more respect in the national preseason rankings, earning the 12th slot in the USCHO.com/CSTV and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls.

The Crimson was the highest-ranked ECAC team in both polls, beating out No. 13 Cornell in the USCHO.com/CSTV poll and No. 14 Colgate in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.

Boston College, Minnesota, and defending national champion Wisconsin were among the top three teams in both polls.

Harvard will face the top-ranked Eagles on Nov. 7 at the Bright Hockey Center and on Feb. 5 at TD Banknorth Garden in the opening round of the 55th annual Beanpot.

Boston College is just one of the many top-20 teams on the Crimson’s schedule.

Harvard will take on the Big Red, the Raiders, No. 18 Dartmouth, and No. 20 Colgate during league play.

In addition, the Crimson will cross the river to take on No. 5 Boston University on Nov. 21 and might face the Terriers again in the second round of the Beanpot.

No. 4 Michigan State and No. 6 Michigan are also on Harvard’s schedule.

The Crimson will face both teams when it travels to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit to participate in the Great Lakes Invitational.

Harvard’s season begins on Saturday, Oct. 27 in Hanover, N.H., when the Crimson takes on travel partner Dartmouth.

Led by All-America candidates Dylan Reese and Kevin Du, Harvard will look to make the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight year.

—KARAN LODHA