Leading the Crimson should be its three four-year blueliners, Megan Berthold, Sue Newell and Deb Taft. The Crimson is as shallow as the Huskies are deep, and Harvard Coach John Dooley will have to rely on the trio to carry the full defensive burden.

Harvard's first line of Diane Hurley (8-8-16), Kathy Carroll (10-12-22) and Kelly Landry (12-6-18) carries the Crimson scoring burden and must produce for Harvard to have any chance of victory. The second line is coming together but is not yet on a par with the second unit of a team like the Huskies.

One factor working in Harvard's favor, however, is the Crimson's 4-2 loss at Northeastern early in the season. Traditionally, Harvard loses the December contest, 5-1, or 7-1. The "good" loss bodes well for the Cantabs.

The consolation game between B.C. and B.U. should be exciting inasmuch as the game will be the first win of the season for the team that triumphs. B.C. is 0-7 going into the week before the Beanpot.

The Terriers, now 0-9, are having an even rougher campaign. B.U. has a rich women's hockey tradition but was thrown into the gutter overnight when it lost to graduation five of its six forwards, all four defensemen and its goalie last year. B.U. doesn't even have a coach now, although Captain Betsy Garthway has been interviewing candidates and experts to have the post filled by the tournament. Lori Daigle leads the Terriers in scoring; she has two goals.

B.C. and B.U.'s combined 0-16 record won't mean much against Northeastern, the third-best team in the country, and Harvard, two-year defending Beanpot champions.

The real issue will be decided after either B.C. or B.U. earns that elusive first win--when the Huskies face the Crimson in the tournament final.

Can a gutty Harvard squad once again play giant-killer with Northeastern?

The answer should lie with Cheryl Tate.