The 1923 hockey team will play the first game of its schedule this afternoon when it meets the Melrose High School players on the Charlesbank rinks at 3 o'clock. Although there has been but a short time in which the yearlings have been able to practice, there is a nucleus for a fast and aggressive team. Poor ice for the past two days has prevented all rink work for the 1923 team. G. Owen '19, former hockey captain at Newton High, is the mainstay of the Crimson defense as well as a powerful offensive factor. J. G. Flint, hockey captain last year at Noble and Greenough, at goal, and L. Zerega fill the remaining 1923 defensive positions. D. F. Thayer is a fast forward, and with his team-mate, J. Larocque, who plays right centre, is relied upon to do much toward breaking up the Melrose defense. The sextet is completed with two fast wings, A. H. Ladd, star of last year's unbeaten Milton Academy hockey team, and G. C. Guild, last year's Roxbury Latin captain.

The squad was cut yesterday to 36 men, and intensive practice will begin next week under Coach L. M. Lombard '17. The team will line up today as follaws: Ladd, r.w.; Larocque, r.c.; Thayer, l.c.; Guild, l.w.; Owen, p.; Zerega, c.p.; Flint, g.