Orange's Russell flying for Falcons

This story first appeared on the New Haven Register website.  To view Chip Malafronte's original story click here.

By Chip Malafronte

He's been one of the top-scoring defensemen in the nation over the last two weeks, but Orange's Casey Russell insists he's not really doing anything differently. Russell, a junior defenseman at Bentley, says his role remains the same despite a recent spike in production that has seen him chalk up as many assists in the last seven games (eight) as he totaled his first two seasons combined. In leading the Falcons to a weekend sweep of UConn, Russell had a career-high three assists on Friday. A night later, he set up teammate Blake Hamilton for the winner in overtime as Bentley (8-16-6, 8-10-6 Atlantic Hockey) snapped a skid in which it won just once in 15 games since Nov. 17. "Two weeks ago, Jaye Judd, one of our top defensemen, got hurt in practice," said Russell, also a member of the Israeli national team. "Subconsciously, I knew I had to pick it up a little bit. But I haven't done anything differently besides that. Our team's been on a skid. We've played well in stretches, but haven't been able to get wins. I'm not a rah-rah type of guy, but I knew I needed to pick things up." Russell entered the season with seven career goals and 10 assists, but has broken out and become Bentley's top-scoring defenseman with two goals and 13 assists this year. "A lot of those points have come on the power play," Russell said. "Our power-play unit, in general, has picked it up, too. I think a little of it is the time of season and feeling the pressure of getting into good position heading into the playoffs as well." The top five seeds earn home ice for the Atlantic Hockey playoffs. Bentley, with four games left in the regular season, is in a tie for sixth with Canisius, four points behind Air Force. Moving up in the standings will need the Falcons to come through in a big way against Army (the league leader) this weekend and at third-place Rochester Institute of Technology the following weekend. "Our playoff will have to start now," Russell said. "We just have to keep it simple. We're not that flashy of a team. With us, the simpler, the better."