For the Harvard men's hockey team, a rest may help the rest of the season.

The Crimson (15-1 overall, 13-1 ECHOIC) has not seen action for three weeks. Harvard's last game--and first loss of the year--came against Yale December 13. Since that cold night in Ingalls Rink, the Crimson players have been taking exams and skating in unsupervised workouts at Bright Center.

They have also been resting. And healing.

When the icemen resume their season February 2 against Northeastern in the first round of the Beanpot Tournament, they may be a little rusty. But at least they'll be healthy.

"It's really like starting the season all over," Harvard forward Lane MacDonald said.

The Crimson bested Yale, 3-2, in its first outing after exams last year. This year, Harvard would like to resume play in winning fashion again.

Earning the Beanpot 'Pot is especially important to the Crimson seniors. Over the last three years, Harvard has not made it past the first round of the tournament, which also features Boston College, Boston University and Northeastern.

The Crimson last snatched the Beanpot title in 1981 with a heroic effort by goaltender Wade Lau. Last year, the squad was dumped by B.C. in the first round--but later topped Northeastern in the consolation game.

"A lay-off is good," Harvard Captain Peter Chiarelli said. "It makes us more eager when we come back. We want to win the Beanpot. We have a good chance. A win would act as a springboard for the rest of the season."

Eleven of the Crimson's first 16 games this season took place on the road--including a pair at Minnesota-Duluth and a weekend series against St. Lawrence and Clarkson in upstate New York.

Fifteen victories over that stretch is amazing. Not so amazing is the punishment some of the players took while climbing to first place in the ECAC and earning a number one national ranking (before dropping to number two in the most recent polls.)

Over the course of those first 16 games, several Crimson skaters--including goalie John Devin, forward Tod Hartje and defenseman Josh Caplan--suffered injuries.

Three weeks off certainly hasn't hurt the hobbling icemen.

"Traditionally we don't do well after the lay-off," defenseman Mark Benning said. "But in the long run, it's good. We get a chance to rest up and heal some of the injuries."

The Crimson has 10 games remaining in the regular season. Two are at Boston Garden for the Beanpot, one is at Vermont and one is at RPI. The rest are at home.