1/6--The Primetime Performers

Last season, Dave Ramos carried the Rebels in every way possible. He set up goals, scored goals, dished out the hits, and even killed penalties.
This year, everyone affiliated with Howell knew that would change.
From opening night against the Brick Memorial Mustangs, Ramos was hounded by two players, who had the sole assignment of stopping Ramos--or at best slowing him down.
For the most part, everty team has been able to stop Ramos from scoring, but slowly, he has been able to keep his teammates on track, occasionally breaking free and setting up goals for linemantes Mike Liero and Billy Acquaviva.
And it's because of those two, that the Howell Rebels are where they are at today, a chance to win their second consecutive division.
Mike Liero is a tall, physical forward, with easily the best stick-handling skills on the Rebels. He's known for his dominant play deep in the offensive zone, and last season, was part of the famous Ramos-Moscowitz-Liero line that dominated teams all over the state. Heading into this year, Daley needed Liero to step up as a prominent goalscorer, and he has done exactly that. With eight goals in the last three games, Liero has had the hot hand for Howell, and they will need that hand to stay relatively warm for the remainder of the season.
Billy Acquaviva has been hands-down the most pleasent suprise for Howell this season. Although many were aware of his natural talent at shooting the puck, Acquaviva was a solid second liner for last season, along with the beginning of 2009-2010, until the first meeting between the Rebels and the Patriots in late December. In that 2-1 victory for Howell, Acquaviva netted both goals for the Rebels, and has since been part of the lethal Ramos-Liero-Acquaviva line. Despite being sometimes streaky, Acquaviva has been a constant offensive threat for the Rebels and will be a huge asset to this team down the stretch.
Not behind Ramos of defensemen Eddie Pyskaty, but just how far Howell goes this postseason will depend upon the sticks of Liero and Acquaviva.
I have a feeling those boys can carry the Rebels pretty far.