Since its clear that the only way Lowell will make the tourney this year
is on the back of their freshmen, Riverhawk fans might like to know
who's looking good enough to fill that role.
 
  After watching both games of the B.C.-Lowell series last weekend, I
wasn't surprised to see the "Rookie-of-the-Week" come from these
squads. Amongst several skilled freshman stand-outs, Lowell's Greg
Koehler has garnered his first rookie accolades with that same award
this week. This is no surprise to me since I've been posting his praises
since the exhibition game against Concordia. Koehler's has some
well-rounded skills packed into a relatively large (6-2, 195) frame. He
reminds me of a Jeff Daw (6-3, 190) with better play-making savvy. This
could have something to do with Greg wearing Jeff's #11. But, both
forwards are tall snipers ... Greg seems to have Jeff's skill at putting the
puck in the net. Greg also plays well along the boards with a greater
ability to hold onto the puck in traffic. He's made some nice passes and
seems to have a good sense of his teamates positions. Greg was
manned Jeff's familiar power-play role during this last weekend. I look
forward to watching this kid develope.
 
    A Lowell freshman that had gone relatively unoticed by me until the
second B.C. game was #18 Derek Bell. I love watching a forward who
has the presence of mind and confidence to skate out of the corner into
the slot. So often,  a forward will stand this position attempt a pass or
shoot if they're high enough along the boards. Three times Derek saw
the opportunity and carried the puck out into the slot. Twice, he scored!
The first was called back on an interference penalty which I didn't really
see.
 
    The third Lowell rookie I'd like to mention is defenseman Kevin Bertram.
This kid came from the same junior team that Fankhouser played for last
year and I'm definitely impressed so far. Bertram took several penalties
last weekend so I'm hoping he soon gets savvy to the ways of college
hockey. But, other than that ... he's demonstrated good puck handling
skills on a defensive legion sorely in need of that. He also has seen
regular ice time and pairs very well with Nicholishen. He's among several
Lowell defenseman who could use some one-on-one practice, but I see
this kid solidifying the Riverhawk defensive corps.
 
   Lastly, Mario Leblanc is definitely skilled but seems to snake-bitten
much like B.C.'s Farkas. Ed Campbell's younger brother John and Craig
Brown continue to be scrappy forwards who have some definite
promise. Stay tuned. This squad may not be tournament ready yet, but
those Hockey-East cellar predictions could once again be laughed off
with a great Riverhawk season yet!!!
 
Go Riverhawks!
 
- Paul.
 
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