Crimson Hockey Team Gets Practice, Game Ice at Arena

Crimson hockey received a much needed boost last weekend when Governor Paul A. Dever announced the signing of an agreement between the Boston Garden-Arena Corporation and the Massachusetts Department of Public Works for the use of an ice-making plant to serve the Boston Garden.

The old Garden plant was taken by the state last spring as part of eminent domain proceedings to build the John F. Fitzgerald Expressway near North Station. Originally, the Garden had intended to move the ice-making machinery from the Boston Arena to the Garden. Had this plan gone through, the Arena would not have been available for college practice and games this year.

Carroll F. Getchell, Business Manager of the H.A.A., indicated yesterday that the hockey schedule will make full use of the Arena. Getchell also disclosed that the six will get weekend dates this year instead of having exclusively weekday contests as in the past few years. The tentative schedule calls for a majority of Saturday and Wednesday night games, with only five games scheduled for other days.

More Ice Time

The practice arrangements have not yet been completed, but the Crimson six will get extensive use of Arena ice from Wednesday through Sunday of each week. Four hour practice sessions are planned.

Ice time available for the varsity was even more increased last week when it was announced that the Boston Olympics hockey team, which had first preference on Arena ice, has decided to move out of Boston.

The Arena will not have ice on Mondays and Tuesdays, but the Boston Skating Club will be available for varsity use. First practice on Arena ice is scheduled for the Wednesday after the Yale game.

The varsity hockey team has been practicing for the past week at the Skating Club at the expense of the individual players. It will continue to do so until the Arena ice is available.

The arrangements for the Arena are expected to carry through the present academic year.