Jumping forward a week, the Bears will open league play at Harvard on Friday, November 2. Harvard emerged victorious in Cambridge in a game where every officiating call possible went against Brown. I won't get into it because it's water under the bridge, but I was at the game and watched the replays on the Harvard jumbotron, and I could not have been more displeased with the missed calls.
In Providence, the Crimson jumped out to a 3-1 second period lead before Brown rallied for a spirited 3-3 tie. This series hasn't had as much bite in it as in previous years, but the results have still been extremely close and hard-fought. In the 2009 playoffs, 12th-ranked Brown went into the Bright Hockey Center expected by many to be swept away by a clearly superior Harvard team. However, the Bears managed to do something no one had done in Harvard's storied 100-plus-year history: shutout the Crimson in back-to-back games at home, largely on the back of Mike Clemente's stellar goalkeeping.
Brown would go on to be swept by a juggernaut of a Yale team in the quarterfinals, but beating Harvard on its own home ice was inspiring enough (and, perhaps, exacted a measure of revenge for their victory over Brown in the 2004 playoffs, when the Bears were one of the favorites to win the ECAC Tournament).
I think most Brown alumni and fans would consider Harvard their biggest rival in all sports (maybe not lacrosse), even though the Crimson don't seem to give us much thought. Whenever we beat Harvard in any sport, you can see how much it means to the players. The Harvard game is often promoted as some sort of fan-centered event, such as a "Whiteout" or a giveaway of some gimmicky item. Though this game is on the road, it's still a big one for the Brown fanbase- last year, the allegedly sold out crowd at Bright was made up of probably one-third Brown fans. When these two teams meet, it's a big deal for Brown.
This year's Harvard team is supposed to be one of the best in the league. They return senior defenseman Danny Biega, the last of the Biega brothers to play for Harvard, who was last year's ECAC Best Defensive Defenseman, as well an ECAC First Team selection. They return sophomore netminder Steve Michalek, who saw action in 24 games last year for the Crimson, at times looking quite impressive.
After traveling another hour or two north the day after the Harvard game to take on Dartmouth, the Bears return to College Hill the following weekend for their league home opener.
St. Lawrence and Clarkson have long been two of the underrated rivalries the Bears have. Great SLU teams have been frustrated by Brown's efforts for years now, dating back to the nationally-ranked 1999 team that was shutout at Meehan Auditorium in a 6-0 laugher. In the several playoff series the teams participated in throughout the 2000's, the Saints would often launch upwards of 40 and 50 shots at Brown goalies, only to score once or twice a game. For some reason, Bruno seems to play St. Lawrence tough and really get in their heads.
This year, SLU is not expected to be a powerhouse, as they are dealing with the transition of a new coach following the retirement of legend Joe Marsh. However, after a 3-1 start in which they beat Maine twice by a combined score of 10-1, the Saints could be much better than they have been given credit for. They are the first team out of the USCHO.com Division 1 Men's Poll, and will be looking to continue their hot start when they come to Providence on Friday, November 9.
The following knight (ha!), the Golden Knights of Clarkson roll into town. The Clarkson and Brown bands have had somewhat of a friendly rivalry over the years, which has helped liven up typically small crowds (most students probably don't recognize Clarkson, and don't turn out because it's not an Ivy League opponent) when the two teams play at Meehan.
Clarkson has owned this series the past couple years, boasting a 3-0-1 record against the Bears following a season sweep by Brown in 2009-10. The Bears will undoubtedly be looking to rectify that this season with a pair of good results, and have the opportunity to get off to a good start at home in just the second weekend of the season.
Brown would go on to be swept by a juggernaut of a Yale team in the quarterfinals, but beating Harvard on its own home ice was inspiring enough (and, perhaps, exacted a measure of revenge for their victory over Brown in the 2004 playoffs, when the Bears were one of the favorites to win the ECAC Tournament).
I think most Brown alumni and fans would consider Harvard their biggest rival in all sports (maybe not lacrosse), even though the Crimson don't seem to give us much thought. Whenever we beat Harvard in any sport, you can see how much it means to the players. The Harvard game is often promoted as some sort of fan-centered event, such as a "Whiteout" or a giveaway of some gimmicky item. Though this game is on the road, it's still a big one for the Brown fanbase- last year, the allegedly sold out crowd at Bright was made up of probably one-third Brown fans. When these two teams meet, it's a big deal for Brown.
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| Brown fans are not looking forward to facing Harvard defenseman Danny Biega '13 yet again. Photo credit to The Harvard Crimson |
After traveling another hour or two north the day after the Harvard game to take on Dartmouth, the Bears return to College Hill the following weekend for their league home opener.
St. Lawrence and Clarkson have long been two of the underrated rivalries the Bears have. Great SLU teams have been frustrated by Brown's efforts for years now, dating back to the nationally-ranked 1999 team that was shutout at Meehan Auditorium in a 6-0 laugher. In the several playoff series the teams participated in throughout the 2000's, the Saints would often launch upwards of 40 and 50 shots at Brown goalies, only to score once or twice a game. For some reason, Bruno seems to play St. Lawrence tough and really get in their heads.
This year, SLU is not expected to be a powerhouse, as they are dealing with the transition of a new coach following the retirement of legend Joe Marsh. However, after a 3-1 start in which they beat Maine twice by a combined score of 10-1, the Saints could be much better than they have been given credit for. They are the first team out of the USCHO.com Division 1 Men's Poll, and will be looking to continue their hot start when they come to Providence on Friday, November 9.
The following knight (ha!), the Golden Knights of Clarkson roll into town. The Clarkson and Brown bands have had somewhat of a friendly rivalry over the years, which has helped liven up typically small crowds (most students probably don't recognize Clarkson, and don't turn out because it's not an Ivy League opponent) when the two teams play at Meehan.
Clarkson has owned this series the past couple years, boasting a 3-0-1 record against the Bears following a season sweep by Brown in 2009-10. The Bears will undoubtedly be looking to rectify that this season with a pair of good results, and have the opportunity to get off to a good start at home in just the second weekend of the season.
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