On to Madison Square Garden

Yale visited the nation's oldest active hockey arena on Tuesday, dropping a tough 3-2 decision at Northeastern's Matthews Arena. On Saturday, they'll take on Harvard in "The World's Most Famous Arena." A few notes from today's practice at Ingalls Rink. (Is it just me, or does Jesse Root look a little like Elvis in the above photo?)

• The initial "Rivalry on Ice" contract was two years, but all signs indicate Yale and Harvard will continue to play a third regular season game. Keith Allain said he's blocked off a date on next year's non-conference schedule, and that the Crimson have done the same. Harvard, Yale and the firm promoting the game, the Leverage Agency, plan to meet soon to discuss the financial viability of MSG. As of this afternoon, ticket sales were over 11,000, about 2,000 behind where sales on this date last year. Still, a projected crowd of 13,000 should bode well for continuing the game. "I'd like to see it stay on the docket, even if it's not an annual event," Allain said.
• Yale took a quick 2-0 lead in the first period at Northeastern, but the overall performance was not nearly the same level as an impressive win over Vermont three days prior. "I don't think we played particularly well on Tuesday. But I'm pleased with the way we've progressed after the break," Allain said. "I'm chalking Tuesday's game up to fatigue. We took yesterday off, and the group seems feeling good about themselves."
• Yale will practice at Ingalls Rink Friday and head into the city that evening because the Garden won't have ice until Saturday night. Billy Joel plays there Friday night (Allain is looking for two tickets, if you're looking to unload any) and the Knicks will play (excuse me, lose) to the Hornets Saturday afternoon.
• Allain is holding out hope that injured forwards Anthony Day, Tim Bonner and Nico Weberg will be back by season's end.
• Had a chance to speak with freshman defenseman Nate Repensky for a story running in the paper tomorrow. He overcame a broken fibula and ankle ligament damage last spring, slowly working his way back into hockey shape, and is now being used on special teams.
• Mark Messier, Mike Richter and George Pataki will again drop the ceremonial first puck at MGS on Saturday.