CRIMSON SKATERS OPEN ICE SEASON

The college hockey season will get under way in Boston tonight when a strong Harvard team faces M. I. T. in what promises to be an exciting battle. A year ago the Crimson puck-chasers emerged on the long end of a 2 to 0 count only after a stubborn fight by the Engineers, and with both sextets considerably improved this year, another close game is in prospect.

Coach Edward Bigelow made a final decision on the starting goal guard following yesterday's practice when he selected Joe Morrill to guard the cage for the start of tonight's game over his closest competitor for the position, Westy Adams. The competition for the regular position is still keen, however, and it is by no means certain that Morrill will continue to hold down the starting job in every game this season.

Captain Bill Ellison leads a practically veteran sextet against- M. I. T. tonight. Excent for the position at goal, the Crimson is putting on a team composed entirely of "H" men, most of whom were considerable factors in carrying Harvard to the American college championship a year ago.

Chase to be Plvot of Attack

Gross is one of the fastest men in college hockey, while Hamlen is as good a team-worker as has graced a Harvard combination in some years. In Johnny Chase, however, is the burden of the Crimson attack concentrated. Chase is easily the most brilliant performer on this year's team, and according to the information which has trickled out of the H. A. A. regarding the afternoon practices at the Arena. Chase is a much improved player over last winter. And last year, he was the regular center on the strong Harvard line.

Willard Howard will share the defense honors with Capt. Bill Ellison. Both of these men have earned their insignia and have had considerable experience in the Harvard type of hockey, originated by Mr. Ralph Winsor, and emulated by the present coach and pupil of Mr. Winsor, Edward Bigelow.

This will mark Howard's first appearance in competition for two years, the West Roxbury youth having been forced out of athletics at Harvard for all of last year because of an eye injury sustained during the baseball season when he was hit by a batted ball. Although his vision is still somewhat defective. Howard has not found it much of a handicap to winning a regular position, and it is not likely he will relinquish it during the present season.

Crimson Has Wealth of Material

Since M. I. T. has waived the new ruling which stipulates that not more than 12 players may take part in a contest. It is likely that Harvard will make frequent substitutions for tonight's encounter. And seldom has the Crimson had such a wealth of material to draw from. For three years, Harvard's fresh. man teams have gone through hard seasons without a single defeat being registered against the Crimson first-year aggregations and with the best of all this material at present included on the first squad, there is some reason for the spirit of optimism which prevails among Harvard people when they discuss the prospects for the coming ice season.

On the second-string line which is destined to see plenty of action tonight. Dick Scott holds down the center ice position. Scott is a fast, experienced player, and probably the best man on the squad with a poke check. Henry Crosby, one of the regulars on the freshman team last year, plays at right wing on this combination, with Henry Tudor, captain of the yearling outfit of a year ago holding down the other extremity.

Tech Last Game Before Holidays

Following tonight's game, Harvard will not be seen again in competition until December 29, when the Crimson will face McGill. Because the Harvard coach is requesting the men to curtail their Christmas recess period, and report back in Cambridge for practice on December 27, the Harvard squad will practice next week, and then be given a lay-off until two days after Christmas.

After meeting the Montreal visitors, the Harvard squad will journey to New York to face Toronto on New Year's. Eve. Returning to Boston, another game will be played with Toronto at the Arena on Jan 2.STELLAR WING MAN STARTS DRIVE FOR THIRD LETTER NATHANEIL HAMLIN '27