Before the season started, Icecats coach Leo Golembiewski preached how important it is to have three lines that can score.

“”If we’re going to make a mark with this club, we have to have three lines that can score,”” Golembiewski said.

Nine games into the season, the third line has produced six goals to make a small, but significant impact. The first line combination has scored 18 goals and the second has added 21.

Sophmore Sean Sullivan centers the third line while freshman Eric Watters, Jeffrey Wadhams and sophomore Mike Babyak rotate as the wings.

Sullivan was originally a left wing, but moved to center and Watters took over on the left side. Golembiewski feels that this is a good place for him to be.

“”He’s not as, perhaps, as quick as some of the forwards, but I think he lends us the credible idea of having a third line that can score,”” Golembiewski said. “”He likes to get in the corner and he has a good shot from that 45 degree angle. I think he’s more fit as a left wing and that’s why he’s there.””

Sullivan said the same about his teammate.

“”He’s finding the back of the net, he hits hard and he’s definitely putting the puck away,”” he added.

Watters has scored a goal in each of the last three games. Freshman Andrew Murmes, who plays on the second line, is third overall with 16 points on six goals and 10 assists.

Watters hopes he can continue the three-game scoring streak against Colorado State this weekend and beyond that series. He also said it was great scoring a goal in both wins against Weber State this past weekend.

“”That was a pretty good experience for the first home game,”” Watters said. “”I was just speechless. Once I saw it go in the back of the net, I just threw my hands up and was like ‘I can’t believe this happened in the first home weekend.'””

Wadhams and Babyak have each scored a goal playing on the third line. They’ve also combined for three assists. Sullivan hasn’t scored yet, but has one assist.

Watters and Sullivan both think that with continued practice and hard work they can be just as strong as the other two lines. Golembiewski agrees that they might be the right combination to do the job.

“”We think, between Watters, Wadhams, Sullivan and Babyak, we have a third line that obviously has contributed already to the theory that if you’re going to have a team that’s going to compete for nationals that you have to have three lines that can put the puck in the net,”” Golembiewski said.