Biotti, who missed most of last year with a knee injury, is back in the same form that led the Calgary Flames to draft him in the first round of the 1985 NHL draft.

"His knee is all better," Cleary said. "He didn't push it or rush it this summer. He's in good shape."

The Crimson is so rich in defensemen that freshmen Scott MacCormack--who Cleary says could easily play--will start the year on the JV team.

The biggest question mark--or marks--for the Crimson is between the pipes. Senior Dickie McEvoy and junior John Devin will share time in the net until one earns the starting job outright.

Last year, both McEvoy and Devin played in the shadows of Blair--the Crimson's all-time leader in goals-against average (2.84) and shutouts (nine).

In four games and 153 minutes of playing time, McEvoy, a fifth-year senior, finished with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. His shining moment last year came in a 22-save effort in the Crimson's 7-1 victory over Northeastern in the Beanpot consolation game.

Devin also saw action in four games but played only 90 minutes. He finished with a 4.00 goals-against average and a .870 save percentage.

"I'm not adverse to playing two goalies, especially now playing back to back games," Cleary said. "When you play two nights in a row, it takes a lot out of you."

"[McEvoy and Devin] have earned the right," Cleary continued. "They're very loyal to the program. You have to honor that."

"Both goalies are playing well right now," MacDonald said. "Everyone has been pleasantly surprised."

Harvard's chief competition for the Ivy League and ECAC titles should be Cornell.

The Crimson has one thing going for it that the other teams don't--experience. Harvard learned a lot from its long drive to the NCAA Final Four and its heartbreaking 6-5 loss to Michigan State in the final. Most important, the Crimson learned what it takes to win it all--only one more goal.

"People always say, 'I'm sure you looked at that Michigan State game a million times,"' Cleary said. "I haven't looked at it once. The season was over, and we lost. What can I do? We just have to try to get back there again."