Before the men's hockey season started, there were a lot of questions surrounding the Harvard squad.

No one really knew how successful the veteran defense and the young offense would be when they skated together against ECAC competition.

With six games and a 4-1-1 record under Harvard's belt, many of the questions have been answered and the early results are in.

Harvard has a good team. Not a great team. Not a mediocre team. A good team.

Certainly, Harvard's offense is no longer a question.

Averaging 5.2 goals a game, the Crimson offense has combined a bit of old and a bit of new in a successful mix.

Senior Tim Burke and juniors Matt Mallgrave and Steve Flomenhoft are leading the team's offensive production, while newcomers Brad Konik, Perry Cohagan, Cory Gustafson and Steve Martins have carried their portion of the scoring burden.

"We've put up our fair share of goals," Harvard Coach Ronn Tomassoni said. "Recently, we've been seeing a balanced attack by all four lines."

Led by the play of Captain Kevin Sneddon and sophomore Sean McCann, the blue liners have held their opponents to two goals or less in four of the team's first six contests.

Solid performances by goalies Chuckie Hughes and Allain Roy have also helped assure the Crimson of low opposing scores.

"Our strength is on defense. This is a darn good hockey club on defense," said Tomassoni.

What's the problem?

Concentration.

As Saturday's loss against Brown showed, the Crimson doesn't have enough talent to sleep-walk past ECAC competition.

This is a Harvard team that will have to work for its wins.