1. Casey DeSmith - The Rochester, NH native has allowed one - count them, one - goal in his last four games, and after shutting out Lowell and holding 11th-ranked BU to one goal, DeSmith has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he's more than capable of shouldering the load for fifth-ranked UNH. Not only that, his play has given potent two-way blue-liners Connor Hardowa (0-9=9 totals) and Trevor van Riemsdyk (4-6=10 totals) a chance to take a few more chances without having to worry about giving up a big goal.
2. Derek Army and Riley Wetmore - It's been a tough run for former coach Tim Army's son, who spent a lot of time and energy deciding what to do when Dad was fired by Providence, but the decision to stick around paid off for at least one night, when his hat trick spurred the Friars to a big 6-2 over slumping Northeastern. Meanwhile, Wetmore - who's been little more than a shadow all season - broke out in a big way on Saturday night at the Mullins Center, notching a hat trick of his own in Lowell's blowout of UMass.
3. BC's first line - After spotting Merrimack a 3-0 lead early in the second period on Friday night at Conte Forum, the Eagles' aces went to work. Steven Whitney scored the first and final BC marker as Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames) got the primary assist on both Whitney goals, and Pat Mullane got the helper on Whitney's game-winner.