At first glance, statistics don't tell how well hockey defensemen are playing.

The goalie gets the "goal-against average" and "save percentage" stats, while the blue-liners get no numerical recognition except in the "points scored" column.

Harvard goalies Dickie McEvoy and John Devin have accumulated excellent stats this season. McEvoy is leading the nation with his 2.25 g.a.a., and Devin (who has not played enough games to qualify) allows fewer than two goals per game.

But Thursday, McEvoy received only an ECAC "honorable mention," while senior defensemen Mark Benning and Randy Taylor snagged first-team ECAC awards.

McEvoy has routinely received high praise from opposing coaches and from Bill Cleary. Harvard won the game last night "thanks to Mr. McEvoy," the Crimson coach said.

The goalie had to come through--the offense was not playing to the best of its abilities.

But RPI Coach Mike Addesa put his finger on the key to the Crimson's success this season when he said, "Harvard has the best defensive corps I've seen in the East."

That's "best corps," not just best pair. To have two defensemen of the caliber of Benning and Taylor is extraordinary for any team--but what makes Harvard's defense special is its depth.

Don Sweeney was named Honorable Mention ECAC this year, while his partner, Josh Caplan, was Harvard Co-Rookie of the Year last season.

On the third shift, Jerry Pawloski was a Harvard Co-Rookie of the Year, and has played in the U.S. Olympic Festival. And Butch Cutone, Pawloski's partner, was Ivy League Rookie of the Year three seasons ago.

That unit is so talented that defenseman Chris Biotti, a first-round professional draft pick in 1985, has been moved to offense.

No other ECAC team had so many as two defensemen among the award-winners Thursday.

Harvard goalies customarily record fewer saves their counterparts across the ice--652 saves for McEvoy and Devin versus 915 for opposition netminders this season. That's not the fault of Crimson goalies.

Much of the credit for the imbalance must go to the Harvard forwards, who relentlessly pressure the other teams' goalies.

But the main reason is that the puck rarely reaches the Crimson netminders. The defense stops the offense before a save must be made. "Fewer saves made" translates into "fewer shots taken."

Last year, the opposition got off 902 shots-on-goal against Harvard. That's a decrease of more than 200 shots-taken this season.

Last night was the 19th time in 29 games that the opposition failed to score at least three points. The Crimson, last season's national runner-up, was that stingy only 17 times in 34 contests.

Not to slight Lane MacDonald or the goalies--but it is the defense which has played the major role in getting Harvard so far this season.