Cornell's hockey team exploded out of its early season troubles with three holiday victories to make the Harvard Cornell clash on Saturday at Ithaca crucially important.

Cornell won the Boston Garden ECAC Christmas Tournament with a 6-2 win over New Hampshire and a 12-2 thrashing of weak Boston College. The Big Red also ran over McGill, 9-0, to bring its season record to 6-2.

When R. P. I. and Brown broke Cornell's 30-game winning streak, speculation flourished that the Big Red was no longer a contender in college hockey. However, Kevin Petit's return from a knee injury seems to have steadied new coach Dick Bertrand's squad. Cornell also relies heavily on sophomores, who took a few games to adjust to varsity competition.

R. P. Who?

R. P. I. is still undefeated and its tie with Clarkson indicates its talent. Cornell's 3-2 loss to Brown is harder to explain, but the Bruins are a physically intimidating team and could have caught the Big Red off balance.

"We certainly aren't underestimating Cornell." captain Joe Cavanagh said last night. "I haven't seen them play this year, but they have a winning tradition and I saw what they had last-year and I know what a good freshman team they had last year. They are especially tough in their home rink," he added.

Cornell has taken 11 straight contests from the Crimson, who last beat the Big Red in 1966 on an overtime goal in Wastson Rink. Cornell has not lost at home in Lynah Rink in over five years.