BREAKING IT DOWN
	A look at the Cornell Big Red:
	SOME HISTORY • Record: 30-4-1 • Coach: Mike Schafer • Cornell ended a long drought, advancing to the Frozen Four for the first time in 23 years with a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Boston College in the East Regional Final. The return only rekindles the memories of the Big Red's dominance through the late 1960s, culminating with national titles in 1967 and 1970 -- not to mention legendary goaltender Ken Dryden. Cornell hasn't won since. The Big Red have dominated for the majority of the season, and have passed the tests -- beating Harvard for the ECAC championship, getting past MSU-Mankato and BC. Now, they face New Hampshire, the team that ousted Cornell in last year's NCAA quarterfinals. Anything less than a title will be a disappointment. THE LINES Left-Center-Right • Moulson-Vesce-Stephen Bâby • Sam Paolini-Matt McRae-Shane Hynes • Knoepfli-Pegoraro-Palahicky • Cam Abbott-Chris Abbott-Greg Hornby Left defense-Right defense • Jeremy Downs-Doug Murray • Travis Bell-Mark McRae • Ben Wallace-Charlie Cook Goaltenders • David LeNeveu-Todd Marr NHL DRAFT PICKS ON ROSTER • Stephen Baby (Atlanta, 1999, 7th rd.) • Mike Knoepfli (Toronto, 2001, 9th rd.) • David LeNeveu (Phoenix, 2002, 2nd rd.) • Mark McRae (Atlanta, 2000, 9th rd.) • Matt McRae (Atlanta, 2000, 5th rd.) • Doug Murray (San Jose, 1999, 8th rd.) HOW THEY GOT THERE: • How they reached the tourney ECAC champion, No. 1 seed in East • First Round Beat Minnesota State-Mankato, 5-2 • East Regional final Beat Boston College, 2-1 (2OT)

 
OFFENSE..................................................
With all of the emphasis put on goaltender David LeNeveu, Cornell's offense often gets overlooked, and maybe that's how they like it. Ryan Vesce leads the team with 18 goals and 26 assists, and centers the Big Red's top line with Matt Moulson and Stephen Bâby. At 6-5, Bâby gives the line a physical pressence, enabling Moulson and Vesce to show off their speed and stickhandling skills with less threats. Vesce and senior forward Sam Paolini also help give Cornell what MSU-Mankato coach Troy Jutting called "the best power-play unit in the country." The two have a combined 13 power-play goals for the Big Red.
 
DEFENSE......................................
Not that the rest of the Frozen Four field isn't stingy on the penalty kill, but Cornell is tops. The Big Red boasts a 90.4 pecentage with a man in the box and has allowed just two power-play goals since the start of the playoffs. Senior defenseman Mark McRae will be especially hungry in his last and only attempt at a national title -- he leads all Cornell defensemen and is fourth overall in scoring with nine goals and 19 assists.
 
GOALTENDING......................................
LeNeveu, LeNeveu, LeNeveu. The sophomore goalie has been the player to watch this season. Taking over the starting job this season, LeNeveu has allowed only 1.14 goals a game, an NCAA record, and also has a .942 saves percentage. He is 28-2-1 with nine shutouts, and is one of the three Hobey Baker finalists. He has drawn comparisons to another Cornell goaltender named Ken Dryden, and the Big Red are hoping LeNeveu too can help bring the plaque to Ithaca.
 
THEY SAID IT.........................................
"This is the great time of year. I've always said to our players, 'enjoy the journey.' The journey is so much fun." -- Cornell coach Mike Schafer on the NCAAs
 
DID YOU KNOW?....................................
The Big Red have now won 11 consecutive games and are on a 15-game unbeaten streak (14-0-1) dating back to Feb. 1.