The Harvard men's hockey team is going back to Boston Garden.

Although that fact is encouraging, because it indicates that the Crimson has earned another berth in the ECAC semifinals, the Garden has not been the scene of happy Harvard memories over the years.

One need look back no further than February, when the Crimson lost two Beanpot games in embarrassing fashion, to understand Harvard's history of frustration on Causeway Street.

The first humiliation came when a mediocre Northeastern squad upended the Crimson, 5-4, in overtime. One week later, Harvard lost to Boston College on an after-the-last-second shot in the consolation game.

And last March in the Garden, Clarkson shocked the Crimson, 4-2, in the ECAC semifinals, temporarily derailing the NCAA-bound Harvard Express.

This is the third straight season in which the Crimson has skated into the ECAC semis, and the 14th overall. Harvard's record is 8-5 in conference semifinal contests, and 10-12 in Garden ECAC action overall since the league's Final Four moved there in 1967.

Oh yeah, RPI's there too: This year marks the fourth time the Crimson and RPI have met in postseason play. In 1985, the Engineers, on their way to winning the national title, outscored Harvard, 3-1, in the conference finals.

The Crimson dumped RPI in the 1974 semifinals and again in the '83 quarters.

In 14 seasons of ECAC tournament play, the Engineers have won 11 games, lost 14, and captured titles in 1984 and '85.

RPI seems to be preparing quite intensely for this year's contest.

"Seems" is an appropriate word here, because few people know where the team has been these past three days.

Tuesday afternoon, RPI Coach Mike Addesa brought his squad to the Boston area, and has since kept it secluded from the press. The players, who are missing four days of classes this week, apparently are not staying in a Boston hotel. Instead, they are scattered throughout the Hub area in private homes.

It's been a good season: When observers of Harvard hockey discuss the difference between this team and last year's squad, many say the Crimson has become more balanced This year's team can't depend on Scott Fusco to come through in the clutch--so team members are expected to contribute equally to Harvard victories.

Notable individual stats include: Dickie McEvoy's 2.28 goals-against average leads the nation; John Devin has a 9-0 record, and his 1.89 g.a.a would top the country if he had played in enough games to qualify; Mark Benning has reached the career 100-point mark after just three Harvard seasons; Tim Barakett has played in 121 consecutive contests, and is only one behind Scott Fusco's all-time games-played mark; Allen Bourbeau has scored a point in 12 straight games; Randy Taylor has 99 career points.

But the shining star of this Crimson team is Lane MacDonald.