The varsity hockey team will try to avenge its lone defeat on home ice in the last two years when it takes on the St. Nicholas Hockey Club at 8 p.m. Saturday night in Watson Rink.

Last year, St. Nick's handed the Crimson a 4-3 loss to inaugurate the season, one of only four defeats Harvard was to suffer on its way to the ECAC championship.

St. Nick's, an amateur team consisting of graduated college players, returns to Watson this year strengthened by several recent graduates. As if it needed strengthening. The nucleus of the club that beat the Crimson last year will be in Cambridge this Saturday led by goalie Van Gerbig, an ex-Princeton star. Last season Gerbig turned in a fantastic performance, stopping 40 Harvard shots.

If Harvard is to beat Gerbig & Co., it will take a solid performance from the varsity sextet. After a long exam period rest, the squad will hold its first practice in two weeks today. But coach Cooney Welland feels his squad will be in shape for the Saturday contest since most of his players have been practicing on their own during exams.

In general, Welland expects to go with his usual lines but will probably be using the game as a warmup for the Beanpot Tourney which begins Monday night in the Boston Garden. Unfortunately, if the Crimson is pointing, too much towards its Beanpot opener and neglects the business at hand Saturday night, it may find another blot on, its fine record in Watson Rink.