WHEN SOPHOMORE CENTER Scott Fusco converted linemate Jim Turner's centering pass into the game-winning goal in Saturday's ECAC hockey championship, he capped a five-year climb by the Harvard men's hockey team from the depths of the two worst seasons in its long, proud history.

The Crimson's ascension has delighted every fan familiar with the walk across the Charles to Bright Hockey Center. Particularly, the icemen's play on the way to their first ECAC crown since 1971--from the stick handling of Fusco brothers Scott and All-American Mark to the game-saving shot blocking of freshman goalie Grant Blair and checking of Saturday night's MVP Mitch Olson--has provided heavenly diversion for even the most neophyte of spectators.

Harvard's fans have responded in kind to the team's success, first filling the home stands, then flocking to the Boston Garden this weekend. The deafening clang of "the gong" and the traditional cheers that rise from the student section at Bright are both unmitigated support for the Crimson and pure nightmare for the opponents unfortunate enough to visit Cambridge.

The icemen's 4-1 win over Providence has clinched home ice for the first round of the NCAA tournament that will determine the best collegiate squad in the nation. The chance to witness what may be the first steps in Harvard's run to that title should create a rush to buy tickets rivaled only by the evacuation at Dunkirk. We urge Athletic Director John P. Reardon '60 to be prepared and to respond with a uniform policy for ticket distribution.

Currently, students are limited to two tickets. This limit should be maintained and strictly enforced with bias toward none. The distribution process should be simple--a well-managed line. No sign-up sheets or tickets reserved before Tuesday at 2 p.m., when the billets will be available to the general public. Rumors of rows of seats being doled in advance to privileged friends or players' roommates serve only to embitter the most loyal fans--the ones willing to wait for endless hours outside the Harvard Hall basement for the chance to yell "S-s-sieve" one more time.

For any one who's interested, the National Weather Service predicts increasing cloudiness with a low from 33 to 37 for tonight. See you in line.