Dear Northeastern hockey fans, Calm down. Signed, Jack Weiland

In the fine tradition of Northeastern upsetting top-ranked teams, the men’s hockey team stunned No. 1 University of Michigan Friday, 4-2.

What does this mean? Well, nothing really.

For those new to Husky hockey, allow me to explain. In coach Bruce Crowder’s seven-plus year’s at the helm, Northeastern has gone 106-153-31, including just two winning seasons. During the same stretch, the Huskies are now 6-4-4 against teams ranked in the top five nationally.

So, you see, the key isn’t beating the top teams. It’s beating the middle-of-the-road teams and the not-so-middle-of-the-road teams that will determine what kind of year Northeastern has.

A few examples of the NU hockey tease:

* Jan. 3, 2004 vs. No. 2 Boston College, 3-0:

Northeastern had just endured its well-documented 11-game winless streak to begin the year. Then, after a Christmas tourney win at the RPI Tournament, Northeastern stunned national championship contender BC with a convincing 3-0 victory.

Down the stretch, while playing well, Northeastern lost precious points in an overtime loss to Boston University, a pair of ties with Providence College and a road loss to Merrimack College.

Then, after winning three straight to end the year, a heartbreaking overtime goal by Boston University at New Hampshire gave the Terriers the tie-breaker over the Huskies. NU sits home, BU doesn’t. Husky fans everywhere frown.

* Feb. 15, 2002 vs. No. 3 New Hampshire, 5-4 (OT):

NU legend Jim Fahey tied the game with one second left in regulation. Then, in overtime, a Fahey slapshot from the point was tipped by then freshman (now senior captain) Jason Guerriero for a 5-4 overtime victory against the Wildcats.

Northeastern then lost four of their final five games, and in turn lost home-ice advantage for the Hockey East Quarterfinals (which they lost in the decisive third game to UMass-Lowell, on the road).

* Oct. 28, 2000 vs. No. 1 Wisconsin, 5-4 (OT):

Scott Selig’s overtime tip-in did more than just down the Dany Heatley-led Badgers; it gave Northeastern hope that it’s potent freshman would one day lead them to bigger and better glory.

He didn’t.

Northeastern went 1-5-3 in its next nine en route to a 13-19-4 record and HE Quarterfinal sweep at the hands of the University of Maine.

Selig struggled throughout the rest of his time in Matthews Arena, recording just 29 career points (15 of which came in his freshman year). Struggling through an injury-riddled senior season, Selig failed to record a point in 12 games.

Will the Michigan win be just another NU tease? Senior defenseman Tim Judy doesn’t think so. I don’t either.

“In the past years, we get so excited about playing ranked teams and then mentally it’s not really there against teams that aren’t ranked,” he said. “But this year, the thing is to treat every game like the NCAA finals. We want to get to the NCAAs, and we have to always be prepared mentally, be ready to play and contribute.”

Crowder believes the team learned a lesson during last year’s heartbreaking playoff collapse. All those “what ifs” — the points lost in overtime or against HE foes — showed last year’s young team that any slip along the way can (and likely will) lead to glory lost.

“They know what it’s like to be tough and have things go against you a little bit,” Crowder said. “Our biggest thing is we want to get better and better. Things couldn’t have gotten worse last year; I think it was a testament to the character of our kids that we battled through it. The whole season could’ve been tanked after that start, but we stuck together.

“I think the kids realize that they’ve worked so hard and they had a spot in the playoffs for about a half an hour last year [before BU’s overtime winner]. That’s something that doesn’t go away, that should be burning inside each of those guys. When you’re that close, just one extra thing throughout the year could’ve been the difference.”

Just one extra thing.

Saturday’s 6-2 loss to No. 15 University of Miami-Ohio doesn’t count as the first “extra thing” of 2004. At least, not yet.

Northeastern played backup goalie Adam Geragosian on Saturday against another skillful opponent. Despite outshooting the RedHawks, 41-22, Northeastern fell behind, 5-0.

Also, Northeastern went 0-for-10 on the power play. Ten chances, two of which were 5-on-3s. Twelve shots. No goals.

The previous night, Guerriero and Company potted a pair of powerplay goals.

“I think if you look at Friday compared to Saturday, we shot the puck on Friday,” Judy said. “I think Saturday we were trying to perfect every pass and look for the pretty goal. We just needed to shoot more and create rebounds. We do have skilled guys but we’re going to get some dirty and cheap goals. We need traffic in front of the net.

“We know we can compete with any team in the country, the main thing is to build from this past weekend,” he said.

Time will tell if this Northeastern upset will be just another upsetting moment in the lives of the NU faithful. Can they build it? Whichever side you take, consider yourself warned.

Maybe, just maybe, you won’t also have to consider yourself teased.

— Jack Weiland may be reached at [email protected].