Harvard Crimson article from 2000

Just about everybody here is familiar with the infamous Volonnino piece. But for the few who haven't read it, or those desiring to read it again, here's the link:
[www.thecrimson.com]

And below is pasted an article from the Boston Globe, March 2000. About the home Harvard game, but whatever, still nice to read.


Boston Globe March 10, 2000 HARVARD SKATING IN LION'S DEN Author: Jim Greenidge, Globe Staff Edition: THIRD Section: Sports Page: E13 Index Terms: HOCKEY COLLEGIATESPT Estimated printed pages: 3 Article Text: There's no bigger rivalry in ECAC hockey than Harvard vs. Cornell, and there's no crowd in college hockey more raucous than the Big Red faithful at Lynah Rink. These ancient Ivy League foes will face off tonight at Lynah in the first game of an ECAC opening-round, best-of-three playoff series, and the capacity crowd could likely play a role in the outcome. Cornell fans are not the most gracious hosts. The attendant student body, which stands throughout the contest, is known for hurling insults and other things at opponents - tossing fish on the ice as Harvard emerges from the locker room is a common occurrence. And the noise? It never lets up. Fans start screaming, chanting, and singing long before the game begins and carry on long after its conclusion. "It's probably the most festive environment in college hockey," said first-year coach Mark Mazzoleni, whose Harvard squad (11-15-2) is seeded seventh. "It's constant electricity during the course of the game. It never shuts down, it only elevates itself as Cornell provides its fans something to get excited about." Harvard, which has won on its last two trips to Ithaca, will be trying to continue its recent success in upstate New York. "I try to convey to our guys that it can be an advantage for the home team, but it's only noise, that's all it is," said Mazzoleni. "So block it out and play with it." The teams have split this season, each winning on the road. The Crimson won, 2-1, behind the outstanding play of senior netminder J. R. Prestifilippo (2.80 goals-against average, 89.9 save percentage), who had 33 saves in the Nov. 13 game. In Cambridge Feb. 4, Prestifilippo was taken out in the second period after allowing five goals in a 6-2 loss to the Big Red (13-12-2, seeded fourth). "Our senior class feels very comfortable playing up there," Prestifilippo said. "We have to keep our focus and we can't get too high or too low." That Feb. 4 game aside, Prestifilippo has made timely saves all season and is the key to the Crimson's success in the postseason. "He gives us the trump card to go in there and beat them," said Mazzoleni. "He's demonstrated he has the ability to steal a game and we may very well need him this week." The Big Red are truly big, and they utilize their size and strength by forechecking closely and playing physical throughout. All of which makes it difficult for opponents to get the puck out of their defensive zone. "They like to get it over the red line and put it in and pound you," said Mazzoleni. "Their total offense is totally generated off their forechecking. We have to play as little time as possible in our defensive zone, we have to get the puck out as quickly as we can." Composure is the key. "We can't get rattled if they get a stretch of the momentum for an extended period," he said. "We have to weather the storm."

And here is Volonnino's follow up piece after we roughed them up that year.


[www.thecrimson.com]



My favorite part is:

"He'll know he's achieved success at Harvard when Bright sells out with its own fans and that a Cornell fan would fear using body paint because he would be surrounded by a host of Crimson crazies. This is a gradual process that is going to take a couple of years."


Yeah...right. Well that was written in 2000. It's now 2003. I think it's safe to say that Volonnino's vision will never become a reality.

My favorite part is...well, it's quoted in my sig.

ahh, the memories. . .