On the Line

This story first appeared on the New Hockey Journal website.  To view the orginal story by Jim Connelly click here.

By Jim ConnellyDec 26 2007 6:33 PM

If asked which Atlantic Hockey forward is the most potent scoring machine, the answer would lead you to one of the league's two service academies and Air Force's Eric Ehn.

Luke Flicek

Army Athletics

 

If asked a similar question, namely which Atlantic Hockey line is the most potent scoring machine, the answer would take you to the other service academy and Army's top trio of Bryce Hollweg, Owen Meyer and Luke Flicek.  

The first line for the Black Knights has been one of the best in the nation over the first half of the season. Meyer, a sophomore, and Flicek, a senior, lead the club with 20 points a piece. Hollweg, the senior co-captain of the club, is right on their tails with 16 points.  

Since the line was assembled in the second game of the season, only one game has passed that the trio hasn't scored (not surprisingly, the Black Knights lost that game to Holy Cross, 3-1). Two-thirds of the line, Meyer and Flicek (who also team with Robb Ross on Army's top power-play unit), are in the middle of scoring streaks. Flicek holds a modest four-game streak, while Meyer has stretched his to eight, including a career-high five-assist game vs. Bentley Nov. 16.  

Heading into the second half of the season, continued production from the top line is critical. Similarly, the other three lines for the Black Knights will also need to chip in offensively. The club scored just 11 goals in its final five games before the break, posting a 1-2-2 record over that stretch.  

Looking Ahead
Army at UConn, Saturday, Dec. 29 The only league contest this weekend will actually be an opening-round game in the annual UConn Holiday Classic. The host Huskies will look to rebound from a poor first half, but have the dubious task of facing the second-place Black Knights. The victor will face the winner of the other semifinal game between Ferris State and Brown in Sunday's championship game.  

Around Atlantic Hockey  
Air Force
A year ago, Minnesota and Air Force played one of the best games of the NCAA tournament, with the Falcons coming out on the losing end of a dramatic 4-3 decision. Though it's a long shot, there could be a rematch at this weekend's Dodge Holiday Classic, as Air Force faces Boston College in the opening round and will face either league-foe RIT or the Gophers in the championship or consolation game.  

AIC
The Yellow Jackets remain idle this weekend, not traveling to a holiday tournament. AIC did play in a holiday tournament already this season, traveling to the Rensselaer Invitational at Thanksgiving. AIC's break between games when it finally returns to play Jan. 4 will be 19 days.  

Army
The Black Knights will travel to Storrs this weekend to face UConn in the opening round of the UConn Holiday Classic. It's Army's second trip in three years to the tournament, having finished last in 2005 after losing 3-0 to host UConn and 2-1 to Hockey East foe UMass.  

Bentley
Bentley is the only team in Atlantic Hockey that will not participate in a holiday tournament this season. The Falcons are in the midst of a 27-day layoff between contests and a 51-day break between home games.  

Canisius
The Griffs will renew their rivalry with crosstown foe Niagara in a single game this Sunday evening at home. Canisius is 0-4-1 in its last five contests against the Purple Eagles, its last win coming at home on Jan. 23, 2003.  

UConn
The Huskies are looking for their first championship in the UConn Holiday Classic since 2003. That year, UConn beat Bentley in a shootout to advance to the title game and knocked off Air Force (then a member of the CHA), 1-0, to capture the championship. 

Holy Cross
If the Crusaders ever felt snubbed when the ECAC chose Quinnipiac over them for membership a few years back, there might be a chance for revenge this weekend. Both teams will play in the Catamount Cup tournament in Burlington, Vt., with Holy Cross taking on host Vermont and Quinnipiac facing off against Western Michigan. The Crusaders and Bobcats might make for an interesting championship or consolation game.  

Mercyhurst
The Lakers are one of just two Atlantic Hockey teams idle this weekend, but will host Michigan Tech in a two-game series during the first weekend of January.  

RIT
The Tigers will play their first-ever game versus a WCHA opponent Saturday in the opening game of the Dodge Holiday Classic. RIT will face the host Minnesota Golden Gophers in Saturday's second semifinal.  

Sacred Heart
The Pioneers will play their fifth game against a team that has been ranked in the Top 20 this weekend, when they face Denver in the opening round of the Denver Cup. Sacred Heart also faced Colgate, Rensselaer and Niagara (twice) and posted a 0-4-0 record in those games.