Penn Hosts Stickmen In Ivy Opener As Quaker Defense Tests Crimson

The Harvard hockey team opens its regular season today against Penn in Philadelphia at 8 p.m. Penn has given Harvard a hard time in the past two years, and the game will be more than just a warm-up for Wednesday's meeting with Boston University.

Two years ago Penn stunned Harvard, 5-4, down at Philadelphia, and last December it took the Crimson three periods to nail down a 6-5 victory. Harvard won, 5-0, in the last meeting between the two teams, but a strong sophomore class has boosted the Quakers's Canadian contingent to 15.

So far this season Penn has lost to Providence College, 6-3, and swept by Colgate, 9-0. "Without our two top scorers from last year, we're a little weaker on the line," Penn coach Jim Salfi said. "But we outshot Providence, two to one, which proves we can apply some pressure," he added.

Salfi considers his defense to be stronger this year, and he plans to improve on last year's 14-11 season. The Quakers finished fourth in the Ivy League with a 7-5 mark.

Harvard coach Bill Cleary was pleased with the team's performance in the 10-3 victory over the St. Nick's hockey club on Wednesday. "What we need is a second scoring line, and Tommy Paul, Jay Riley, and Bob Goodenow, looked good. They .

Harvard goalie over the eye during practice earlier in the week, and he is still a doubtful starter in tonight's game. Steve Perry will fill in.

The only major injury so far came two weeks ago when junior defenseman Doug Elliott slipped in the shower. Elliott gashed his knee on the porcelain soap dish, and required 35 stitches. At first it looked as if he would be out indefinitely, but he started skating again this week, and should be ready by early January.

Elliott's defensive partner, Kevin Hampe has been teaming up with Bob Muse and David Hands. Andy Burnes and sophomore Mark Noonan are the other defensive pair.

During the past week Cleary has been concentrating on skating drills, forechecking, and clearing the defensive zone. "We aren't going to do anything fancy against Penn," Cleary said. "All I'm looking for is good solid hockey."

Harvard goalie over the eye during practice earlier in the week, and he is still a doubtful starter in tonight's game. Steve Perry will fill in.

The only major injury so far came two weeks ago when junior defenseman Doug Elliott slipped in the shower. Elliott gashed his knee on the porcelain soap dish, and required 35 stitches. At first it looked as if he would be out indefinitely, but he started skating again this week, and should be ready by early January.

Elliott's defensive partner, Kevin Hampe has been teaming up with Bob Muse and David Hands. Andy Burnes and sophomore Mark Noonan are the other defensive pair.

During the past week Cleary has been concentrating on skating drills, forechecking, and clearing the defensive zone. "We aren't going to do anything fancy against Penn," Cleary said. "All I'm looking for is good solid hockey."

The only major injury so far came two weeks ago when junior defenseman Doug Elliott slipped in the shower. Elliott gashed his knee on the porcelain soap dish, and required 35 stitches. At first it looked as if he would be out indefinitely, but he started skating again this week, and should be ready by early January.

Elliott's defensive partner, Kevin Hampe has been teaming up with Bob Muse and David Hands. Andy Burnes and sophomore Mark Noonan are the other defensive pair.

During the past week Cleary has been concentrating on skating drills, forechecking, and clearing the defensive zone. "We aren't going to do anything fancy against Penn," Cleary said. "All I'm looking for is good solid hockey."