1/20--The Path To Success

When people associated with Howell Hockey hear the last name "Hodes", they think of the man who is responsible for starting Howell Hockey. Ricky Hodes, a man devoted to hockey, Howell is particular, has been at every game alongside his wife, Doris, rooting on the Rebels. There is their youngest son, Brian, who is seen around the student section at every game, opening the entrance to the rink for the team.
Then there is there older son, Brandon, who is a second-line forward for Howell, but hasn't been recognized as more than that for some time now.
In the most important game in Howell High School Hockey history, the Dowd Cup on February 27th, 2009, Hodes made the first noticeable impact in his high school hockey career.
After taking a 9-7 lead against the Wall Crimson Knights, in a game where the winner would be crowned Shore Conference Tournament champions, the Howell Rebels took a crucial penalty late in the game that would last through the end of regulation.
As the regular penalty killers on the blue and gray took the ice, it was then-sophomore forward Brandon Hodes who stole the show--killing the final minute alone, taking on three Knights while successfully maintaining possession of the puck--which eventually lead to the Rebels victory lap around the Red Bank Armory, celebrating their victory.
This season, Hodes has been strictly popularized for his defensive work, specifically his shadowing job against John Talamo of Freehold Township.
But on January 19th in, as many called it, a must-win game for Howell against Wall yet again on the line, it was Brandon Hodes who stepped up and scored with just 1:11 remaining, sending the typically-packed Howell crowd into a frenzy, giving the Rebels their second straight impressive win, and solidifying the idea that Howell hockey is back.
Oh yeah, and it was on the penalty kill yet again.