The 6-ft., 185-lb. Silver Spring, MD native has tried to follow the lead of senior center Ciavaglia in an effort to bring his game beyond the ordinary. Citing the ECAC scoring leader's quick hands, and his speed with the puck, Mallgrave notes that Ciavaglia has succeeded--much like Boston College's Dave Emma--without overpowering size.

Mallgrave was forced to overcome a shoulder injury which limited him to "maybe four practices before Christmas. Vacation was my preseason."

After he returned, the extra time enabled Mallgrave and Drury--presently united on the Crimson's second line--to click better on the ice.

"We know each other so well, it was just a matter of time before the chemistry would click," Drury said.

Flomenhoft, at 6-ft., does not tower over either of his roomates, but his 215 lbs. help to pave the way to the net. The third line center maintains his weight despite a craving for Diet Mountain Dew--Flomenhoft has 10 cases of the specially-ordered soft drink piled in his windowsill.

"[Crashing the net] is the only way I'm going to score," Flomenhoft admits. "I don't care if it hits me in the skate or the head."

Tomassoni agreed, although putting it a bit more positively. "He's not going to score the pretty goals, but he's not afraid to get his nose dirty."

Whatever the technique, Flomenhoft has tallied 11 times already this year, and the Garden is admirably suited to his physical style.

"If Flo has the puck, you know to go to the net," junior linemate Tim Burke said. "If he doesn't score, the goalie usually can't handle it, and there's a good rebound."

The college hockey game flows around the man-up and man-down squads, according to Flomenhoft--an expert on penalties with 48 minutes in the hot box this season. All three roommates take shifts on both special teams squads, with Drury on both the first power-play unit and penalty-killing line.

"Lots of teams are even five-on-five," Flomenhoft noted. "But close to half of the game is not five-on-five."

The Riverwoods, III. native, along with Mallgrave, is a member of the second power-play squad. Both players, especially Mallgrave, also see some ice-time when killing penalties.

Although Flomenhoft leads the Crimson offense in penalty minutes, Tomassoni is less concerned with the sophomore's time in the sin bin this year. With his more "intelligent" play, Flomenhoft has improved defensively, according to the Crimson coach.

Linemate Scott Barringer also approves.

"Once he gets his meathooks around someone, they're not moving," the senior winger remarked. "Flo emphasizes hitting as the most important part of his game."