Last year, Yale finished 10th in the league. Ninth on offense. Eleventh on defense. Except for the annual Elis upset of Harvard at the Yale Whale, the Bulldogs can expect more of the same this season.

Yale's offense has a few returning impact players: Jeff Blaeser (17-14--31), Mark Kaufmann (9-16--25), John Sather (7-11--18) and Captain Chris Gruber (5-12--17).

YALE

1989-90 Record: (6-15-1 ECAC, 8-20-1 overall)

Coach: Tim Taylor

Captain: Chris Gruber

But defensively, the Bulldogs look pathetic. As exemplified by Harvard's 11-0 Eli thrashing at Bright last year, the Bulldogs are thin at the blue line. Goalie Ray LeTourneau (4.64 goals-against-average, .867 save percentage) brings at least a modicum of experience to the Yale net.

A losing experience.

You've really got to pity Army. They can't recruit any Canadian talent. Their skaters are up at 5 a.m. every day. They rarely win anything.

ARMY

1989-90 Record: (4-15-3 ECAC, 10-16-4 overall)

Coach: Rob Riley

Captains: Todd Tamburino, Scott Williams

"The problem for us each year is that there's not a lot of naturally talented players," Coach Rob Riley said. "We're counting on hard work to keep us in games. It helps us now and then to be counted out of games. We beat Harvard last year, and Cornell a few years back after they won the ECACs."

Like most service academies, Army's strength rests with its defense. The Cadets finished tied for sixth at goal prevention last year, thanks mainly to superb goaltending from junior Brooks Chretien (3.31 goals-against-average, .855 save percentage). Freshman Mike Landers will help out Co-Captain Todd Tamburino, Chris Mead and Scott Williams on defense.