Monday Thoughts: Hohmann Came To Play

Player of the Week: Cason
Hohmann, for all reasons
mentioned before.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

Coming off a somewhat disappointing freshman season, Saturday night Cason Hohmann showed exactly why BU recruited him in the first place. He was undoubtably the best player on the ice for both sides. Not only did the Arlington, Texas native post a goal and three assists, but he won several key faceoffs down the stretch in very important times of the game.

Hohmann looked to be much more confident carrying the puck into the zone, whereas last year he would have just dumped it. In addition, he seemed to play with his head up more often. This directly led to the two assists he picked up. First, finding defenseman Ryan Ruikka at the point from the far wall and later spotting and teeing up Garrett Noonan for a one-timer. Both plays led to goals. Hopefully, Cason can key up the strong play, as BU needs a young gun to step up and assume some of the offensive load this season.

The Second Line
Personally, I think BU's second line is their strongest, as a line, not as individuals. Matt Nieto is hands down the best offensive player BU has, but as a line, the second unit plays the best as a group. Evan Rodrigues, Cason Hohmann, and Wade Megan have combined for  eight points in two games. Yes, one game was an exhibition game, but it really shows the improvement of Hohmann and Rodrigues.

At The Polls
BU moved up one slot in the USCHO rankings from 12 to 11. Minnesota was the new number one, receiving 46 of the 50 first place votes. North Dakota, who's yet to play a real game moved up two slots to number two. Boston College, Miami and Michigan rounded out the top five. In total, five Hockey East schools made the top 20.

Around Hockey East
Wednesday: Northeastern upended Merrimack 4-2 in the Hockey East season opener at home.

Friday: Vermont and Lowell skated to a 1-1 draw at Tsongas Center...  Future Hockey East member, Notre Dame dropped Maine 1-0 in the opening round of the Icebreaker Invitational... UMass skated by UConn 4-1 at the Mullins Center... Providence thumped Sacred Heart 8-2 at home.. New Hampshire beat St. Cloud State at the Whittamore Center.

 Saturday: Northeastern knocked off top ranked Boston College 3-1 at Matthews... Maine came away with a 4-3 win over Army in the Icebreaker Consolation game... UNH completed the sweep of St. Cloud with a 4-2 win.