Who Will Earn an Invitation to...... the ECAC Garden Party?

For the next five months, the 12 teams in the ECAC will battle for eight playoff spots and the chance to be crowned league champions at Boston Garden. Although league coaches have tabbed Harvard to be the best team in the ECAC this season, anything can happen during the five-month trip to the Garden party.

Here is a preview of the other 11 teams in the ECAC, which will try to disprove the pre-season polls:

ARMY

Overall: 9-19-2

ECAC: 3-17-2 [11th]

Coach: Rob Riley

The young Cadets are hungry. The young Cadets are ready. Or are they?

Army, which had a predominantly young team last year, hopes its experience in the lower bracket of the 1987-88 ECAC standings will propel it into this year's playoffs.

Junior Rick Sheridan (18 goals, 18 assists, 36 points) and sophomore Rob Tobin (15-16--31) will give the Cadets a strong offense.

But what about defense? Since the Cadets cannot use conventional weapons on the ice, they will have to rely on a defense that allowed more than five goals per game in ECAC action last year.

Junior Neil Minihane will anchor the Army blue line, along with five other returning lettermen. The goaltending, however, is still questionable. Look for sophomore Brooks Chretien (.842 save percentage, 4.98 goals-against average) to see most of the action.

BROWN

Overall: 3-22-1

ECAC: 2-19-1 [12th]

Coach: Bob Gaudet

The Bruins suffered a disappointing season last year, losing three senior captains to injury early on. Toughening the defense and counting on 15 returning lettermen, the Bruins hope for better luck this year.

The strength of the team lies in the center squad, with last year's top four centers returning. Leading scorer Bob Kenneally (4-15--19) and seniors Mike Langton (4-10--14) and Rod Pritchard (9-4--13) are known for their aggressive, physical style.

The Bruins lost valuable defensive players last year but will depend on seniors Mark Lachance and Jim Lombardi to take the lead. The novice players saw varsity action with last year's injury troubles.

Chris Harvey will continue his hard-nosed style of play in net. Although his 3-17-1 record and 5.05 goals-against average say little of his prowess, his impresive .887 save percentage shows his resiliance. Backing up a leaky defensive line, Harvey performed well.

Harvey cannot carry the team by himself, though, and Brown hopes an improved offense and untested defense will help it climb out of the league cellar.

CLARKSON

Overall: 17-15-3

ECAC: 10-9-3 (tie, sixth)

Coach: Mark Morris

The Golden Knights--who upset Harvard, 6-4, in last year's ECAC Tournament--will depend on the skills of junior goalie John Fletcher to propel them into the ECAC playoffs. Fletcher (.908, 3.20), arguably the best goaltender in the league, is a second-team All-America East selection.

But the question lingers: who will score for the Knights? With the loss of last year's leading scorers, Luc Borsato (14-29--44) and Steve Williams (17-20--37), Clarkson first-year Coach Mark Morris will have to rely on Captain Mike Morrison (19-14--33) to light up the red. Along with Morrison, 11 other forwards return to this year's squad.

Defensively, Clarkson should be solid. Led by ECAC All-Rookie selection Dave Tretowicz and three-year starter Mike Ashe, Clarkson's blue line also benefits from the addition of freshmen Kent Anderson, Alex Weinrich and Tony Calandra.

If the Knights can ride on the strength of Fletcher and adjust to their new coach, a return trip to the ECAC Garden party in March could turn into another golden opportunity.

COLGATE

Overall: 18-11-3

ECAC: 13-8-1 (fifth)

Coach: Terry Slater

Last year, Colgate was favored by many to win the ECAC title. The Red Raiders finished fifth and were eliminated in the ECAC Quarterfinals.

Now that Hobey Baker candidate and first team All-America Rejean Boivin and flashy goaltender Wayne Cowley have left Hamilton, N.Y., the Red Raiders will try not to slip down even further in the league standings.

Coach Terry Slater will depend more on the Colgate defense, ranked second in the league last year. The Red Raiders return all of last year's starting defensemen, who are led by senior Mike Bishop.

Junior Joe Gardner (14-32--46) will have to assume the role that Boivin so successfully accomplished for Colgate. Steve Spott (14-16--30) and Shawn Lillie (12-22--34) should keep the Raider offense consistent.

But without Cowley, one of the league's best goaltenders last year, Colgate will have problems protecting the net. Sophomore Dave Gagnon, who saw some action last season, will be the likely starter.

CORNELL

Overall: 19-9-0

ECAC: 15-7-0 (third)

Coach: Brian McCutcheon

Cornell will lean on its solid returning middle-line players and eager new recruits for a shot at a trip to Boston for the ECAC Championships. Last year a mini-game loss to Clarkson in Ithaca, N.Y., blocked the trip.

This year the Big Red returns 15 lettermen, with sophomore goaltender Corrie D'Alessio (.909, 2.82) the key to the team's success. Last year D'Alessio racked up the honors: ECAC All-Rookie team, ECAC honorable mention selection, Ivy Ivy League Rookie of the Year and Cornell MVP. He also set the record for best goals-against average for a Big Red freshman.

Senior Chris Grenier (12-23--35) should head the strong center line, as the team's second leading scorer and most promising two-way player. Junior Casey Jones (10-22--32), last year's best Ivy scorer, also tops the line.

Alan Tigert, the lone senior defenseman, will anchor the Big Red defensive line. Sophomore skaters Bruce Fauley and Tim Vanini will show the benefits of last year's experience along with junior Paul Winters.

Strong goaltending and a talented freshman squad rounding out the team should turn into a trip to the ECAC playoffs for the Big Red.

DARTMOUTH

Overall: 10-5-1

ECAC: 8-13-1 (ninth)

Coach: Brian Mason

The Big Green will take advantage of its solid veteran core to continue the strides it made last year, when it finished only one point away from the playoffs.

Senior Captain Tom Finks (11-7--18) will put the pucks in the net this year along with leading scorer Dave Williams (8-14--22). Sophomore Mike Daly should join the scoring ranks with more ice time.

Defensively, Williams and Rob Goulet will lead the blue-line crew. Juniors Joe Gualtieri and Jeff Miller will complement the line, with further support from classmates Michael Gehm and Kevin Aube.

Goaltenders Steve Laurin (.910, 3.91) and senior Tim Osby (.904, 3.51) will protect the nets with flair and consistency. This pair was ranked among the ECAC's best in save percentage and goals-against average, and should continue its fine performance.

With depth on all sides of the rink, the Big Green hopes to replace the four graduated forwards and find the road to the playoffs.

PRINCETON

Overall: 12-15-1

ECAC: 11-10-1 (tie, sixth)

Coach: Jim Higgins

The Tigers will battle for one of the the four top seeds in the ECAC Tournament that will insure homeice play in the quarterfinals this year.

Senior John Messuri tops the lineup this year. Messuri is the second leading scorer in Princeton history (128) and record holder for most assists in a game (four), season (32) and career (80). A likely candidate for the Hobey Baker Award, Co-Captain Messuri will join forwards Kevin Sullivan, Mike Cole and Tom Shimabukuro in the Princeton offense.

Junior and number-two scorer Greg Polaski returns to terrorize the nets on offense along with power-play strongholds Bart Blaeser and junior Mark Khozozian. Co-Captain Chris Hughes supports the line as well.

Junior defensemen Nate Smith and sophomore Andy Cesarski will attempt to hold their own in power play action this year, a key problem for last year's team. Sophomore Sean Gorman and junior Jim Sourges should use last year's experience to beef up the defensive zone and help out returning sophomore goaltenders Mark Salsbury and Ron High.

Messuri's presence should bolster the Tiger offense. But with inconsistent goaltending, will Princeton roar?

RPI

Overall: 15-17-0

ECAC: 9-13-0 (eighth)

Coach: Mike Addesa

The ECAC's newest version of the Black and Bluecrew barely made the ECAC playoffs last year. Thisyear, the young Engineers are a year older.

But will they be a year better?

Well, if last year's freshman sensation JoeJuneau (16-29-45) does not suffer a bad case ofthe sophomore jinx, the Engineers will certainlybe a better squad; although they may not play acleaner game.

Along with Juneau, RPI will return 13lettermen, while losing only three. SophomoreBruce Coles (16-23--39) and junior Brian Ferriera(18-19--37) head an RPI offense that will scoregoals.

Not unlike other ECAC teams, RPI needs a solidgoaltender. Sophomore Jamie Bellanca (.858, 3.57)is the likely starter, although Coach Mike Addesamight turn to erratic Steve Duncan (.865, 3.99) ifBellanca can't stop the puck.

ST. LAWRENCE

Overall: 29-9-0

ECAC: 18-4-0 (second)

Coach: Joe Marsh

Last year, the Saints marched all the way tothe NCAA Championship but lost, 4-3, in overtimeto Lake Superior.

This year, St. Lawrence will have a tough timetrying to remain one of the best teams in thenation, not to mention the ECAC. The Saints losteight key players to graduation, including firstteam All-Americas Pete Lappin and Brian McColgan,as well as goalie Paul Cohen (.903, 2.78).

Who will the Saints turn to?

The scoring line of Jamie Baker (26-28--54),Joe Day (23-17--40) and Gary Robertson (13-11--24)could be one of the league's most productive.

The defense, however, will have problems. St.Lawrence will miss McColgan, but hopes that MikeHurlbut and Russ Mann can keep the defense solid.Clarkson transfer Brad James should help Coach JoeMarsh forget about McColgan.

In net, sophomore Les Kuntar should see themost action. Last year, Kuntar posted a 3.31goals-against average, but played only sevengames.

Despite heavy losses, the winning traditionthat Marsh has renewed at St. Lawrence should keepthe Saints in contention for the ECAC title.

VERMONT

Overall: 21-11-3

ECAC: 14-7-1 (fourth)

Coach: Mike Gilligan

This is supposed to be the year when Vermontchallenges for the ECAC title. Twenty-twolettermen are returning from last year's NCAATournament team.

Leading the way are left winger Ian Boyce(16-22--38) and center Kyle McDonough (19-23--42),who help form one of the league's strongest lines.But in order for the Cats to scratch at the ECACtitle, they will have to score more than theirECAC average of 3.7 goals per game last year.

Vermont's experience will also show up behindthe blue line, where the Cats have six returningdefensemen. Senior Marc Lebreux and ECACAll-Rookie selection Stephane Venne will head theVermont defense, third in the ECAC last year.

If the Cats can find a consistent goaltender(look for sophomore Mike Millham to start), theywill definitely repeat and possibly improve lastyear's success.

YALE

Overall: 6-20

ECAC: 6-16 (10th)

Coach: Tim Taylor

Questions. Questions. Questions.

Yale will have to answer a lot of them if ithopes to return to the ECAC playoffs after lastyear's disappointing season.

Two years ago, the Elis reached the ECACsemifinals, but proceeded to dive down the leaguestandings with an inconsistent offense andquestionable defense.

Captain Dave Bassegio, a defenseman, is Yale'sleading scorer, Bassegio last season scored fourgoals and dished out 22 assists. Senior Tom Walsh(13-12--25) is Yale's top returning forward.

If goalie Mike O'Neill, an All-ECAC selectiontwo years ago, wishes to regain his form, he musthave better suport behind the blue line.

O'Neill posted an impressive .890 savepercentage last year, but had a rather high 4.37goals-against average. Overall, the Yale defenseallowed close to five goals per game.PETE LAPPIN, 1988 ECAC Player of theYear