The success of the Harvard men's hockey team can be easily attributed to the Scott Fuscos and the Grant Blows and the other returning stars of years past, but the Crimson hasn't just coasted through its season, riding on the talent of its well-known upperclassmen.

Eight freshmen have appeared in Crimson sweaters this year, and its has been their efforts that have helped to push the squad to its national ranking and second-place finish in the ECAC.

"I'm sure a lot of guys never thought we'd end up second," Harvard Coach Bill Cleary said after Saturday night's regular season finale, a 6-1 victory over Clarkson. "We have a young team I've seen these eight kids mature so well. I'm pleased and a little surprised."

It was not so clear last fall that these fledgling icemen would blossom as they have. The Don Sweeneys, Lane MacDonalds, and Jerry Pawloskis came advertised as big recruits, but the key to the Class of '88 has been its lesser-known members.

Hard-workers like Andy Janfaza and Steve Armstrong epitomize the kind of intensity and attitude that make their coaches smile.

Versatility has been another hallmark of the freshmen, who have marvel from position to position as Cleary news different combinations, looking for matchings that click.

"We don't have the luxury of recruiting a left wing or a right wing," says Cleary. "We like to play a wide-open game and we want people who can handle the puck."

Perhaps the best freshmen puck handler of them all is MacDonald, who has scored 46 point so far and set a new freshmen reward for goals-in a season.

The best freshmen body handler has been Pawloski, who has reintroduced the open-ice bodycheck to the Crimson arsenal, and still skates and stickhandles well enough to fit in with the Crimson's skating style.

As much as Pawloski and MacDonald have contributed, the depth of the freshmen group is its biggest asset. The Crimson last 10 lettermen last year, but it is enjoying a much more successful season this winter.

Fusco, of course, has returned in the interval, but the Class of '88 has arrived.