The bigger issue was that just two lettermen (Doc Gordon and Shorty Hodsdon) were returning and Collins had to remake the team without a usable ice rink.
The venue had been rebuilt by that time but the weather was not cold enough for the surface to freeze and the candidates were forced to train on the floor of Drill Hall.
After returning from the winter break, the Aggies were happy to find that cold weather had arrived in the region and were able to get several practice sessions in before the first game.
[2] Though their practice sessions may have been helpful, the raw team wasn't quite ready in time to face a strong Boston University outfit.
Originally, the Aggies were supposed to play at Williamstown but the game was moved due to a lack of ice on the Ephs home rink.
Hailing from Missouri, the osteopaths were taking a tour of the region and it was unknown if the match could be played due to rain leading up to the game.
Twice the Big Red managed to tie the score but Alger and Hodsdon combined to prevent a third marker and signify that the team had rounded into form.
[7] Prospects for a win did not look good heading into the match with Army as MAC was still without usable ice and the Cadets had just shut down Dartmouth.
Defying expectations, Gordon used a surprisingly fast surface to terrorize the West Pointers all night and even managed to open the scoring in the first period.