HARVARD

Head Coach: Ronn Tomassoni, 7th season

'95-'96 ECAC Finish: Sixth

'95-'96 record: 12-19-1, 9-12-1 ECAC

Even with the offensive talent of Brad Konik, Tommy Holmes and Kirk Nielsen and the goaltending of Tripp Tracy gone from the Crimson lineup forever, Harvard still has the potential to make a return trip to Lake Placid.

The Crimson is a very young team and is straddling a fine line. If it falls one way it could find its way back to the top of the league, but on the other hand, one false step and the youth of this team could cause an avalanche of losses.

Look for the Crimson to surprise some folks and to make a solid run at the league leaders. Although it doesn't yet have the experience or depth to challenge the top teams, Harvard will be a solid contender come March.

ST. LAWRENCE

Head Coach: Joe Marsh, 12th season

'95-'96 ECAC Finish: Third

'95-'96 record: 20-12-3, 15-4-3 ECAC

Undoubtedly bitter after being upset by Harvard in last year's ECAC quarterfinal round, the Saints should rebound to make another legitimate run at the league leaders this year.

Considering the loss of its top offensive weapon in All-American Burke Murphy (33-25-58), St. Lawrence will have to depend on the likes of juniors Paul DiFrancesco (16-39-55), Derek Ladouceur (7-33-40) and Derek McLaughlin (10-16-26) to catapult the offense. One thing is for sure: scoring will not be a problem.

And at the other end, the Saints possess the best one-two goaltending punch in the league in junior Clint Owen and senior Jon Bracco. It will be just Bracco for the first half of the season, however, since Owen has been suspended for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Losses to Jeff Kungle and Chris Dashney behind the blue line will also hurt, but three promising freshmen join returning defensemen Troy Creurer and Jake Harney and should make Owen and Bracco's job that much easier.