On the B-Rink

Everything starts earlier these days. It's not even November yet and the postal service has already started those "Mail your Christmas cards early" ads, U.S. Air is booked solid for Thanksgiving break return flights (Philadelphia to Boston) and the hockey season's already underway.

Today the Crimson plays the Bruins.

Playing at the Garden is nothing new for the Crimson, which won the ECAC tournament last season and makes yearly appearances in the Beanpot. Everyone knows the Olympic team will face off against Harvard at the Garden November 15.

But playing the B's is something else altogether. They're the team of Terry O' Reilley and Rick Middleton, Pete Peeters and Gord Kluzack. Or at least I thought they were. The Bruin roster I got in the mail lists people like Joe Potter and Scott Heffernan, Chris Ingerslev and Jamie Potkul.

I have to admit, I lost interest in the regular season when the NHL expanded its playoffs so that 16 out of its 21 teams made the playoffs. I guess I've been away from the sport a little too long, because I seem to have lost touch.

These squads have offensive powerhouses I've never seen skate Harvard's Jim Villanueva already has 20 points in only four league games. Villanueva's second on Harvard's career scoring list, and he must have one heck of a slapshot because he scores goals from up to 45 yards out. Wayne Gretsky himself never did that.

Bruin Scott Heffernan has racked up 30 points without scoring a single goal.

The Crimson game plan is to make Heffernan shoot. "Don't worry," says a source close to the team, "Joe Azelby and Andy Nolan will make sure he takes some hard shots."

Mayhe the teams are scoring more than they used to because of improved forechecking. The B's leading passer, Joe Potter, connects with his target only a little over 50 percent of the time. Harvard's Greg Gizzi has been a little more accurate, but he's only passed the puck 31 times.

Look for Harvard to have the edge on defense. The Crimson has allowed just one goal all year, a 49-yard shot by Cornell's Peter Baccile. The Bruins have given up five, just over one per game.

Strangely enough, they're billing this game as the key to both teams' seasons. Don't you believe it. The playoffs are a long way off.

HARVARD 3, BROWN 2-The NCAA runners-up should handle the NHL's best, but it's going to be close.

DARTMOUTH 7, YALE 0-The Elis enter this one 0-6. The Big Green is 3-0 in league play. This is the answer to the old question: What happens when the irresistable force meets the world's least stable object?

PRINCETON 8, PENN 6-And you thought Penn didn't even have a team.

HOLY CROSS 7, COLUMBIA 1--Except for John Witkowski, Columbia doesn't have a team.

B.U.6, CORNELL 4-The Big Red's tie with Harvard is its only non-loss. The Terriers are playing at home. This one's for the dogs.

Last Week-4-1. Season to Date-20-12.625. Just ahead of the team.