Before the season began Harvard men's hockey Coach Mark Mazzoleni made the following prediction:

"This is a team this year that should not have to rely on the production of its freshmen. If you're relying on your freshmen, you're in a lot of trouble."

But after three freshmen combined for a total of five goals and five assists in three games, perhaps depending on the rookies for a little extra boost isn't such a terrible thing.

Especially when one of those freshmen netted the game-winning goal over Vermont last Saturday.

Forwards Dominic Moore and Brett Nowak and defenseman Aaron Kim bring depth and speed to already talent-laden roster. But no one expected the freshmen to become such potent threats so early in the season.

"As the season evolves, freshmen start to feel more comfortable and around Christmas time, nothing is new to them anymore," Mazzoleni said. "Their games start to peak at that time. I would expect that with this group."

If Mazzoleni doesn't expect this trio to hit their strides for another few months, I can't wait to see these guys after Christmas break.

In the season opener against Brown, Kim showed the most promise of the threesome, seeing enough ice time to rival the veterans.