Recently put together by coach Dan Morris, Ohio's third line of Billy Hemann, J.J. Plutt and Brett Molnar were three players looking for a home on the ice.
Their new surroundings have worked out just fine, Morris said.
(They were) three guys that didn't really have a home
Morris said. We put them together and they found their way.Occasionally, the bottom two lines will chip in offensively, but the coach looks for specific things from each unit. Lately, Ohio's third line has picked up the scoring pace.
In the last four games, the trio has accounted for seven goals, nine assists and 16 points. Their emergence will certainly aid the Bobcats, who are playing as well as any team heading into this weekend's CSCHL tournament at Illinois.
We're real comfortable playing together Plutt said. We have a similar style of play
so it's real easy to play with them.
Hemann seems to be the main beneficiary from the change. He has scored four goals in his last four games. He scored five in the previous 28.
I have to give a lot of credit to my line mates
Hemann said. We've come together
and we're moving the puck really well.
Ohio has tinkered with different line combinations all year. The scoring lines have been set for a couple of years, and the Bobcats' top four point-getters are forwards on the top two lines. Looming closely behind at fifth through seventh on the scoring chart are Molnar, Hemann and Plutt.
Think about the big picture
Morris said. You can't win big games with two lines. You might be able to win one
but not four.But the Bobcats don't believe they have just three solid lines. They're looking for more.
All four lines can go out there and get a much-needed goal
Molnar said. I think we're four lines deep
and that is going to give us an advantage come nationals.
