THE DEFENSE:

The fate of the 1980-81 season rests here, at the blueline. Cleary has decided on three of his defensemen, Fusco, Sangster and converted forward Neil Sheehy. After that, it's anybody's guess.

"I still have some questions in my mind," Cleary says. "I'm just waiting for someone to emerge. They've all played pretty well."

Four freshmen are battling for defensive spots. Kenny Code, Bob Starbuck, Brad Dorman and Bill Sztorc all have a chance to complete the second pairing, and three of the four will almost certainly be in the top six.

"These are all fine hockey players and we're hoping a couple at least will emerge to help us," Cleary says. "It's a question now of deciding which ones will be effective right off the bat."

The answer, at least until the youngsters gain some experience, may be Alan Litch- field. An 18-game veteran of the '78-'79 season, the hard-hitting junior spent most of his time with the junior varsity a year ago. He could see plenty of action early on.

Obviously, there's not much depth. "It's no secret that defense is the weak spot," Cleary says, in an echo of last year's prognosis. "We've got more depth, size and speed up front."

Perhaps the key to the campaign is Sheehy. If he cannot make the adjustment to the backline, the squad is in trouble. No team can survive the inevitable mistakes four rookies would make on defense, and if anyone gets injured . . . Pre-season scrimmages usually reveal little, but Sheehy appears to be on schedule. "He has the ability to handle the puck and he's big and strong," Cleary says. "Hopefully, he'll be able to move some people around the net."

THE GOALTENDING:

Good news here. Workhouse Wade Lau, whose mediocre record last year (4.63 gpg) obscures some sterling performances, now has a capable understudy in tiny but quick Mark Whiston. The 5-ft., 7-in. freshman from Ipswich acknowledges that his size can be a drawback, but "compensates with playing the angles. I'm really quick, because I have to be," he adds. "A lot of shots hit Wade that wouldn't hit me."

In fact, 580 shots hit Lau last year as the junior from St. Paul, Minn., compiled a .857 save percentage, while playing in 20 of 26 games. The number-one man in the nets for the past two years, Lau has improved steadily and may burst into prominence this time around.

"He's looked very, very sharp and a lot more aggressive," Cleary says. "He's obviously number one."