Stickmen Meet Princeton, Nationals

Bolstered by the return of eight players suspended after the Army game. Harvard's hockey team takes on Princeton tonight at Watson Rink. The Crimson then encounters the U.S. National team on Sunday and travels to the St. Louis Christmas Tourney on December 26.

Princeton has already won more games this season then it did throughout last year. Recovering from a disastrous 1-22 season, the Tigers have already nipped Providence and Army, while losing to strong B.C., B.U. and Brown teams. A sophomore line, led by Walt Snicken-berger, is largely responsible for Princeton's success so far this season.

The Tigers lack depth, however, and will not present a threat to the Crimson. Coach Billy Cleary said yesterday that Harvard had its best practice session of the year on Wednesday. He promises his team will be "really flying" against Princeton.

Harvard will have a much tougher time with the National team. Although last year's Harvard All-American. Joe Cavanagh, is out with a broken wrist, the Nationals have sufficient scoring punch in former Boston College stars Tim Sheehy. Kevin Ahearn and Norwood's schoolboy wonder, Robbie Ftorek. The Nationals, who have been playing together since last September, tied B.U., 4-4, and can play on a par with the best College teams.

The Crimson may also be in for a difficult time in the St. Louis tournament. Harvard's first round opponent is Wisconsin, a team that finished second in the Western College Hockey Association last year. Wisconsin lost to a perennially strong North Dakota team, but the Badgers have come out on top in seven other games this season.

St. Louis meets Penn in the other first round match. St. Louis topped Brown by one goal earlier this season and should take the Quakers, who lost to Harvard, 11-3, in the Crimson's opener two weeks ago.