The varsity hockey squad will field a team of five forwards and a goalie at the opening face-off of its season's opener against Northeastern next Tuesday. Operating under the theory that a good offense is the best defense, Coach Cooney Weiland will attempt to solve his greatest problem, a shortage of defensemen, by moving two of his top forwards back to the blue line.

With only one defenseman left from last year's Pentagonal championship squad, Weiland has decided to put Doug Manchester, high-scoring center, on the 1953 second line, at one defense post, and wingman Pete Summers at the other.

"We're going to put the stress on offense this year," the coach said. We have more speed than before and we won't have to rely on bodychecking as much."

The alternating defense pair will include the squad's most experienced checker, Ned Almy, who saw action last season as second defenseman. Converted wingman Arty Noyes will team up with him.

Forward line assignments are still tentative. Bill Cleary, whose late season play last year was a major factor in the Crimson's first Pentagonal League title since 1937, is likely to center the first line and may alternate during the game with the second trio. Ned Bliss, one of the most dependable players on the squad, and Terry O'Malley will flank Cleary on the wings, Weiland said.

O'Malley, the only Canadian on the squad, has played right wing for five years on city teams in St. Catherine's, Ontario. Not enrolled in Harvard last year, he received freshman credit for his fifth year at St. Catherine's High School.

Wingman Joe Crehore has been switched to center the second combination, with Frank Mahoney, who tied with Bliss as the fourth best scorer last season, and Scott Cooledge on the wings. Cooledge, who was the squad's third highest scorer last year, may also alternate on the first line.

Flynn at Goal

Charlie Flynn, now equipped with a complete face mask after several puck mishaps last year, will probably start in the goal against Northeastern. Close behind him and still very much in the competition for the starting post, is the '53 freshman squad's outstanding goalie, Jimmy Bailey.

The third line is so far unsettled and may be composed of a combination of players from last season's freshman and junior varsity squads. "Still, I'd think these prospects will form a better third line than in past year," Weiland said.

Pete Frye, a senior who played jayvee last year, will center this line with alternating pairs on his sides. Aggressive Dick Allen and Alby Wells, both ex-jayvees, are one combination. Two stars from the '53 Yardling team, ex-Captain Derek Nicholas and Tom Worthen, also team up at the wings, with playmaking Nicholas occasionally alternating at center.

The team will have a definite advantage this winter, since the nearly-completed roof over the Donald C. Watson Rink assures it of daily practice regardless of weather conditions. It has already made a great difference, according to Coach Weiland, who reports that the squad is in excellent condition in preparation for its opener.

The '54-55 schedule will include 14 games, with the Beanpot tourney at the beginning of February against Northeastern, Boston College, and Boston University.