Entering the postseason, the men's hockey team is merely a three-game winning streak away from bringing home the ECAC Northeast title. While this is also true for the other eight teams in the playoffs, for the first time in the history of the program, Tufts - at 15-1-1 in conference play - is the favorite to win it all.

"The rest of the teams are spending their time worrying about us," senior tri-captain Scott Hayes said. "We are spending our time preparing to be the best team that we can for the next three games. We are the team to beat, and we are ready for anyone."

The first challenge will arrive on Sunday in the form of the Salve Regina Seahawks, a team that the Jumbos have defeated twice already this year. In those two games - both last semester - the Jumbos outscored the Seahawks 13-4, never giving the mediocre team a chance to respond to the Jumbos' scoring barrage. Salve Regina finished its season at 7-10 in the conference and 10-14 overall. An eight-game losing streak midway through the season sent the Seahawks to the depths of the standings, but solid victories against Fitchburg State (9-7-1 in ECAC) and a Umass.-Boston squad that defeated the Jumbos earlier in the season legitimized Salve Regina's placement into the postseason.

Despite their superior status in the playoffs, the Jumbos realize that no opponent can be taken for granted.

"We can only beat ourselves in this game," senior tri-captain Natan Obed said. "We are a better team, and the only way Salve will beat us is if we aren't prepared to play."

In the single-elimination tournament, Tufts will focus on the fundamentals, which have been important in its 17 victories this season, but glaringly absent in the few losses the team has suffered.

"I think the keys for us are just to play the game we've played all year," senior tri-captain Dan Mahoney said. "We just need to play solid defensively and focused at all times. We can't think that this will be an easy game just because we've beaten them before."

"We will dictate the flow, being the better team," Hayes said. "We have to play good team defense and with intensity and the rest will take care of itself."

The defensive unit led by Mahoney, senior Justin Picone, and freshman goalkeeper Ben Crapser will have to focus their efforts on senior Brian Hannafin, who leads the Seahawks with 35 points on the season. The forward has also proved to be a clutch scorer, and is currently second to Tufts' sophomore Mike Carceo (six) in game-winning goals with five.

On paper, the Jumbos hold every single advantage over their adversaries. But even if the first victory comes easy, their next challenge will be daunting. With powerhouses like Wentworth, Johnson & Wales, and Lebanon Valley in the mix, Tufts will eventually have to face some challenging opponents.

"We don't feel any added pressure from being the number one seed," Mahoney said. "We know that in order to be the champion we're going to have to beat the other top teams eventually, so it's no big deal."

"We have the respect from other teams that comes with being a number one seed, and the confidence that we are superior," Obed added.

The Salve Regina game will be played at MIT on Sunday at 3:15 p.m., following a change that switched the venue from Boston College to a location more accessible to the Tufts community. A shuttle will be provided for fans, and will make round trips from the campus center to MIT beginning at 2:30.

"I'm excited about the move to MIT," Mahoney said. "The ice surface is nicer, and it's not nearly as hot as BC. Plus, I think it will be easier for fans to get to the game if they can't take the bus."

"We should be able to fill the stands which will have a tremendous effect on the way that we play," Hayes added. "We play our best in front of big crowds and should be able to do so with support from our student body."

In their final season competing in the ECAC Northeast, the Jumbos seem to be in perfect position, boasting a 7-0-1 record against the other seven teams in the field. For the team, this will likely mark the final postseason in the near future, as the more competitive NESCAC conference in which Tufts will play starting next year should prove punishing for the first few seasons. For the six lettering seniors, it will also be their final run at bringing home a trophy for Tufts and possibly clinching an NCAA berth, which a tournament victory would secure.

"I think it's more excitement than urgency," Mahoney. "We look at this as a perfect opportunity to go out in style, but also realizing that this opportunity may not present itself right away in the new league."

"The pressure is on the other teams now," Obed said. "We can't think about next year. It doesn't matter, especially to the seniors."