by Mike McMahon (link to full story)

As well as he's played all season, Northeastern senior Zach Aston-Reese is saving his best for last.

In a season with no clear-cut Hobey Baker Award candidates going into it, Aston-Reese has certainly become one, if not the favorite.

With five goals in his last two games heading into the season finale against the Black Bears, Aston-Reese leads the nation in scoring with 59 points and in goals with 29. Yet, when you ask Northeastern head coach Jim Madigan about what makes his senior such a dangerous player, Madigan focuses as much on Aston-Reese's play without the puck.

"To understand him as a player, you can't just look for a measurement in points alone," Madigan said. "He's a 200-foot player. He battles and he's physical and he wins those battles along the wall for us. He's out there killing penalties and we have him out there in every situation."