February 19, 2008

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award is presented to a deserving recipient on the day before the last college hockey game of the season. But that doesn’t mean that college hockey fans, players and media members don’t think about it all season. Inside College Hockey's Hobey Tracker looks at the top three candidates for the award, those whose stock is rising or falling, and other players worthy of consideration.

The Hobey Tracker will be updated every Wedneday morning.

THE BIG BOARD

1. Kevin Porter
Michigan
Senior | Forward

To Date: 25-23—48, 13 PPG, 1 SHG, 4 GWG, +21
The Buzz: Porter's candidacy was boosted by linemate Chad Kolarik, who scored all four Wolverine goals in Friday's 4-2 win against Lake Superior State. The rub, however, is that Kolarik suffered a hamstring injury early in Saturday's game against the Lakers — he's expected to miss a minimum of three weeks starting with the upcoming series with Michigan State.

2. Nathan Gerbe
Boston College
Junior | Forward

To Date: 22-22—44, 8 PPG, 3 SHG, 4 GWG, +15
The Buzz: Tough week for Gerbe, who earned just one assist in the Eagles' split with UMass Lowell last weekend. He also picked up a 10-minute misconduct in Friday's loss to the River Hawks. Gerbe's detractors, who cite his one-game suspension in November as a reason he shouldn't win, will no doubt use this most recent transgression to bolster their claims.

3. Jean-Philippe Lamoureux
North Dakota
Senior | Goalie

To Date: 19-8-2, 1.78 GAA, .930 save pct., 4 shutouts
The Buzz: Lamoureux's teammates snatched victory from the jaws of defeat Friday, rallying from a 4-1 deficit to defeat Denver, 5-4. He regained his form in a 4-1 win over the Pioneers the following night. Lamoureux retained the nation's lowest goals against average, but after allowing five goals on 35 shots (that's a wobbly .857 save percentage), he dropped to second in that category behind Colgate's Mark Dekanich.

 
BULL MARKET

Colin Wilson
Boston University
Freshman
Forward

Last week we saluted a crop of freshmen that have met lofty expectations this season. This week we cast an eye toward Boston University freshman phenom Colin Wilson, who has been clutch in a mini-resurgence for the Terriers. Not only is he picking up his scoring pace as BU makes a run for home ice in the Hockey East playoffs, he's scoring big goals at important times in games. For example, he scored the overtime-winner in one of BU's two OT wins against Maine last weekend, and assisted on the other OT goal. He scored two of BU's last three goals in a comeback win over Northeastern in the Beanpot consolation and had three points in a win against UMass Lowell. BU is 5-1-0 in its last six, and Wilson has eight points in those games.

BEAR MARKET

Bryan Marshall
Nebraska-Omaha
Senior
Forward

Marshall, who'd scored at least one point in 16 of 17 games heading into last weekend's crucial series against Bowling Green, was shelved for both contests against the Falcons after getting hurt during pre-game warmups Friday. Marshall, tied with fellow infirmary resident Kolarik for fourth in the nation in scoring with 43 points, is expected to be back in the lineup for the Mavs' trip to Northern Michigan this weekend..
 
HIDDEN HOBEY

Andrew Kozek
North Dakota
Junior
Forward

When Jonathan Toews signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, it opened a spot on a line with Ryan Duncan and T.J. Oshie. Andrew Kozek has spent the last eight games on a wing with those two stars, and North Dakota is playing some of its best hockey of the season. With 13 goals and 16 points, Kozek has set career highs in those categories.