Huskies Conquer Icemen, 5-3, Leave Crimson 2-6 in ECAC

The Sergeant Preston jokes will have to be stashed in the punchline file for another year, as the Northeastern Huskies held on for their second victory over Harvard in the last two seasons, with a 5-3 decision over the Crimson last night.

The youthful pups (not a senior on the squad) took full advantage of a Harvard offense standing on three legs (the drydocked Hughes Corporation being the fourth), and sustained a two-goal first period lead all the way through en route to their second ECAC victory of the season against two losses. Harvard stands at 4-8, a dismal 2-6 in Division One.

Northeastern freshman Rod Yaworski notched the winner at the five-minute mark of the final period, tucking a Mark Derby rebound between defenseman Mitch Olson's legs. Olson was guarding the net for freshman goalie Wade Lau, who was out of position after foiling Derby.

Yaworski's tally brought the score to 4-2, and came 1:13 after the first of two third-stanza power play tallies by Rick Benson brought the icemen to within one for the third time in the contest. Benson scored again at 17:58, but a bench minor to Harvard with 48 seconds left dashed all dreams of overtime.

Northeastern center Larry Parks, the sophomore gunner from Ontario who had four goals in last year's 14-5 Husky drubbing at Watson Rink, had the first period to himself, as his pair of tallies gave N.U. a 2-0 lead after one.

With Harvard maintaining a slight territorial advantage for the first ten minutes, it appeared that a charging penalty to Northeastern's Gerry Cowie at 11:46 would open the scoring. It did. An over-pressuring Harvard power play left Parks free for a two-on-one break. His slapshot from just inside the right blueline beat Lau to the upper right corner and the shorthanded Huskies grabbed the lead for the first time.

The Crimson could not convert on another man-up situation five minutes later, and Parks made that missed opportunity hurt with only 24 seconds left in the period. Using defenseman Jim Trainor as a screen, Parks' wrist shot from the right circle snuck between Lau's pads to give the Huskies a two-goal lead.

A strong second stanza by Lau prevented the partisan crowd from leaving the archaic fire trap called the Boston Arena early. Nevertheless the Huskies' margin stood at two with one period left to play.

Freshman David Burke brought Harvard to within one with his 11th goal of the season (seventh in the last three games) at 12:34. The Hughes-less Crimson power play performed well this time, and sophomore Benson found Burke alone at the right post for a dunk shot past N.U. goalie Ed Arrington.

Northeastern then made it 3-1 a little over three minutes later when sophomore Doug Harvey deflected a Paul Filipe drive under Lau.

THE NOTEBOOK: Coach Bill Cleary adjusted his lineup last night to account for the absence of the Hughes Brothers. Cleary called up freshman right winger Owen Cote from the J.V. and moved freshman Scott Powers back to defense.

The Crimson hosts Brown tomorrow afternoon at the Walter Brown Arena. The game will be televised locally on Channel 7, starting at 2 p.m. The Bruins will probably bring their outrageously clever pep band to the contest, in hope of inspiring their second victory over Harvard this season. SCORE BY PERIODS HARVARD  0  1  2  --  3 NORTHEASTERN  2  1  2  --  5

GOALTENDING

Saves: Ed Arrington (Northeastern) 30,

Wade Lau (Harvard) 27.

GOALTENDING

Saves: Ed Arrington (Northeastern) 30,

Wade Lau (Harvard) 27.