The Harvard men's ice hockey team, now 9-0 after Wednesday night's 3-2 victory over Brown, has gotten off to its best start in 50 years.

Most fans will remember that last year's squad reached the finals of the NCAA post-season hockey tournament, where it lost to Michigan State, 6-5. But even in the past decade, the icemen have not always been such a success:

. Last season that Harvard finished below .500: 1983-'84, when the squad closed at 10-14-3 overall.

. Longest stretch below .500: Five seasons, from 1977-'78 through 1981-'82, when the squad finished with winning percentages of .462, .288, .365, .442 and .467.

Forward Peter Chiarelli '86 is the Crimson's 91st hockey captain--but the first one to be named Peter Here are the top names dating back to 1895-'96, when Frederick S. Elliot served as Harvard hockey's first-ever head honcho.

. William: 10 previous captains.

. John: nine previous captains.

. Robert: five previous captains.

This February, the Crimson will compete in the 35th annual Beanpot Tournament against Boston College, Boston University and Northeastern. Last year, Harvard dropped the opening-round contest to B.C, 4-2, and topped Northeastern in the consolation round, 7-1. Other 'Pot info:

. Last Crimson first-place showing in the Beanpot: 1981.

. Other Crimson championships: 1977, '74, '69, '62, '60, '55 and '52.

. Overall Crimson Beanpot record: 36-32.

Tonight, Harvard faces off against the University of Minnesota-Duluth at Duluth. This will be the squad's first foray into non-ECAC territory.

. Last time the Crimson met the Bulldogs: in the 1984-'85 NCAA quarterfinals, with Duluth triumphing, 4-2, 4-2 in the two-game series.

Capacity of Duluth Arena: 5664.

Where do more Harvard varsity hockey players hail from, Massachusetts or Canada?

. Answer: the Bay State is home to 11 varsity pucksters, Canada 10.