Tomassoni forged the line sometimes around Christmas and since then, the three players have been working on developing a rhythm together, getting a sense for how each other play.
"I feel really good playing with my linemates," Gustafson said. "Coach put us together late in the season, and the key is we just talk and talk to each other. I have a strange sense that I know where Perry is on the ice all the time."
The utility line may not be pretty, but it gets the job done. All three players scrap and fight for each loose puck.
"We know what were supposed to do, and we try not to try to go beyond what we know we can do," Gustafson said.
Last night Gustafson was the last player to head off the ice and into the locker room after the second and third periods. Karmanos was the first to thank goalie Aaron Israel for his solid play in net, and this blue-collar line that usually doesn't get much attention finally got some.
In the locker room, sophomore Steve Martins--whose return from injury actually threw these players together--walked around after the game repeating "green line's the best, green line's the best."
After last night's performance, who could argue with him?