Without much question, one of the more pleasant surprises during an up and down type of season for Harvard hockey has been the consistent play of three gifted freshmen, George Hughes, Gene Purdy and Jim Trainor.

Last night's jaunt to the Boston Garden for the ECAC semi-finals was a trip that only eight other freshmen from Brown and Cornell made in this, the first year of freshman eligibility for Ivy League varsity hockey teams. However, the relative minority status of the Crimson three did not disturb their excited confidence.

Especially for Purdy, a forward imported from Minnesota, who says every trip to the Garden is "a whole new experience. First the Olympic team, then the Beanpot, and now the added pressure of the playoffs. A year ago I never dreamed I'd be here."

Home-grown high school stars Hughes and Trainor's blades have hit the Causeway Street ice many times before, and both consider that a distinct advantage. Hughes, the Crimson's top point scorer during the season, says that "You' get used to the Garden. Your parents, friends and people that have followed you during your career are all there. It's a comfortable feeling."

Trainor, who teamed with Hughes to form a potent inside-outside punch for 1974 Massachusetts state champion Catholic Memorial, notes that "the Garden was always packed during high school and it's the same tonight. That's a great incentive for anyone."

Being the first freshmen to compete in a major contact sport at the varsity level has put surprisingly little pressure on the three. Purdy feels the reason is "that we've all graduated from one tough league to another. After bantams and high school, by the time you reach college you've learned to live with any pressure."

The broad jump to the varsity has reaped nothing but advantages for the classy rookies, both athletically and socially. Hughes, who has talked softly and carried a big stick all season long for the Crimson, said, "You're playing with and against the very best; even in practice you've got to play above your head. All this adds up to improvement."

Trainor, although injured, is a classic example of the improvement Hughes talks about. The husky defenseman has provided further stability to the Crimson backliners, and cites an additional benefit of the freshman eligibility rule. "It's a great chance to get to know the upperclassmen. You're making friends and improving at the same time."

Unlike many other varsity sports at Harvard, hockey is characterized by superb coaching and an aggressive winning attitude. "That Cleary is the hungriest bastard I've ever seen," Hughes says. "He wants to win so bad he'd get out there himself if he could." Speedster Purdy adds, "All three coaches are super. They won't bench you for one mistake, but help you and give you confidence."

Along with bigger crowds and an occasional butterfly has come the adjustment to college hockey in general and Harvard hockey in particular. Purdy divides styles of play in East and West, noting that "It's a much faster, finesse-oriented game out here. In the West, it's basically up and down the wing with brutal checking."

Trainor cites a key difference between high school- and college-level hockey in that "There's not as much time to think, especially for a defenseman. They capitalize on your every mistake."

Hughes was able to sum up his other two teammates' overall impression of college hockey from a freshman point of view in three words: "They're bigger, stronger, and faster out there." However, the steady, often dramatic performances of these firstyear men has made it extremely difficult to see where high school hockey ends and college hockey begins. They have all blended in so well. One can only have happy dreams about next season.