Friday January 26 2018 @ 7:00 – Dollard Civic Centre.
Two first period goals by the midget AAA leading scorer Justin Hryckowian wasn’t enough for the Lions. Magog would bury the next 4 goals, including an empty netter, and win the game 4-2.
Charles Beaudoin #21 (RW, R, Magog, 6’00”, 167lbs, 2002) – Beaudoin had a great pass in the 3rd period to set up 21, and give his team the lead. Beaudoin is quietly sitting on 30 goals this season as a 15 year old; it will be interesting to see how many he can finish with. He mostly plays on the 3rd line for his coach but sooner or later that will have to change if Magog want to go the distance and get to a Telus cup. Grade: A
William Villeneuve #32 (RD, R, Magog, 6’00”, 152lbs, 2002) – Still the top ranked D man heading into the Q draft, Will is such a smooth skating defenseman. He loves the game and you see him in warmup with how competitive he is even amongst his peers. He has his head up all the time, reading the play. He is 2 steps ahead of everyone else and it allows him to make the game look so easy. It will be interesting to see who wins the lottery and ends up taking the big right D man. Grade: A
Marshall Lessard #9 (RW, R, Magog, 5’09”, 170lbs, Late 2002) – After a slow 1st period, Marshall turned up the heat. Finishing the game with a goal and two assists he is the player that drives this team up front. His energy and ability to create space for his linemates allows the team to be a threat each night. He forechecks hard and isn’t afraid to challenge bigger players with a hit. With the season almost over, it will be fun to see what he can do in the playoffs. Grade: A
Patrick Guay #10 (C, L, Magog, 5’08”, 150lbs, 2002) – Guay started the comeback for his team. Scoring the teams first goal on the PP and then adding another one shortly after. He’s quick and has great hockey sense and skills. He can shake one way and then quickly go the other way. He has a great release and is able to score from almost anywhere in the offensive zone. Grade: A
Kevin Pavlovic #25 (LD, L, LSL Lions, 6’00”, 175lbs, 2002) – Called up from the LSL Tigres minor midget team, Kevin performed very well in this game. He’s strong with and without the puck. It’s not easy to knock a player of his size off the puck but he uses that same size to win his puck battles. He’s a good skater and doesn’t panic with the puck. He looks for his open teammates and makes hard crisp passes. He would be one of the top defenseman this year on this team so look for him to be a real threat next year as a 16 year old. Grade: C+
Brandon Walker #8 (RD, R, LSL Lions, 5’10”, 159lbs, 2002) – Walker continues to be a top offensive defenseman for this team. Having played RW his whole hockey career, it takes time and patience with switching at this level. He has progressed well, but still has much to learn about the position. The big question will be if he is used as a right wing next year, or will he continue to adapt to the defensive game? Grade: C+
Simon Trottier #2 (LD, L, LSL Lions, 6’00”, 172lbs, 2002) – Trottier is a smooth skating mobile defenseman. He doesn’t get much ice time and his coach uses him sparingly, but he is slowly maturing this season. His skating and intelligence with the puck are his biggest assets. He needs to get stronger and be more physical, all which I think he will obtain next year on this lions team as a top D man. Grade: C
Matt Choupani #13 (C, R, LSL Lions, 5’08”, 160lbs, 2002) – A quiet game for Choupani. He had a good first period like the rest of his team, but seemed to be tired in the second and third period. He’s a goal scorer and is in a bit of a slump; however, still possesses tools many teams are looking for. The word from his camp is he is looking to go to US Prep school next year with future hopes of landing a NCAA commitment. Grade: C
Olivier Picard #12 (LW, L, Magog, 5’11”, 178lbs, 2002) – Paired with #9-#10 to start the game, Picard had a glorious chance to show what he could do with the opportunity. Unfortunately, his skills are just not at the same level as his other two teammates, and the coach was quick to change him off the top line. Picard is going to play at the next level because of his skating and energy, but he lacks puck skills to be able to play in the top six forward position. As a third or fourth liner in major junior, Picard could be very effective. Grade: C
Jeremy Lapointe #18 (LW, L, Magog, 6’01”, 190lbs, 2002) – The 4th line winger had an average game. He doesn’t have the skills to be a top go to player and lacks the foot speed to truly be effective in a checking role. He will need to put some thought into what type of player he wants to be, if he wants to play at the next level. Grade: C