Played on Jan 4, 2026
Game Played in Wendler Arena at the Dow Event Centre
General Game Notes: Saginaw scored a goal in the last minute of the third to pull ahead 4-3 and win the game. It was a game filled with penalties and 5 of the 7 goals were scored on the powerplay. Saginaw went 3 for 5 on the powerplay while they limited Brampton to just 2 goals in 9 their attempts.
Zachary Bowen (G, L, 6’3″, 198, Brampton Steelheads, 04/25/2005)
Game Rating
B
This game showcased Zachary Bowen’s ability to make big saves despite facing quality shots and chances against a high-scoring opponent. His positioning and movement allowed him to cover a lot of net space, giving him opportunities to make impressive stops on breakaway attempts. Bowen displayed confidence in his ability to shut down scoring chances, consistently staying focused and composed under pressure. While he may have some minor positioning issues at times, his overall athleticism and calm demeanor enable him to put himself in good spots to make saves.
1 Viewing
Comments: Zach played a solid game, stopping the shots he was expected to stop. He faced some very tough shots and chances while his team was on the penalty-kill. He didn’t have a chance to make a save on the first goal against as it was a flank-to-flank one-timer play. He also had an unlucky goal against where he was hit in the head, knocking his mask loose, and while he was trying to get the referees attention he was out of position and unable to make the save on the next play. On the final goal he was definitely deep and could have come out to cut down on the angle but there was a lot of traffic in front and the shot was top shelf. He made a nice long pass in the game to create a scoring chance while the opponent was changing and in general he showed good confidence with the puck on his stick and made lots of simple stops and passes. He almost got caught a few times where he slid his hand to the top of his stick to poke at pucks and then wasn’t quite ready to make a save but he was able to recover in time.
Parker Von Richter (D, R, 6’1″, 206, Brampton Steelheads, 05/17/2006, New Hampshire)
Game Rating
A-
Parker von Richter is a dynamic defender who consistently moves the puck effectively, creating scoring chances and opportunities for his team. His ability to jump into rushes and distribute the puck well allows him to set up teammates for high-quality scoring chances. On offense, Parker excels at making smart passes, including pulling off difficult plays like backdoor no-look passes. He also demonstrates a reliable shooting threat when lanes open up on the powerplay. Defensively, Parker is effective in shutting down plays and finishing checks along the wall, but he can be vulnerable to being beaten wide and caught out of position. However, he generally maintains tight gaps and keeps his positioning sound.
1 Viewing
Comments: Parker is a smart, deceptive two-way defenseman. He makes a good first pass and breaks the puck out well, using deception on retrievals and then making hard passes. He was most noticeable on the powerplay in this game where he quarterbacked the play, distributing the puck well and taking opportunities to shoot. He shot the puck with purpose, often getting the puck low and creating rebounds and one time he shot for a stick in the slot for a tip. He assisted all three of the Brampton goals, two of which came on the powerplay. He made a smart flank to flank pass that set up the first goal. He also showed he is willing to make big hits and step up on the offensive blue line to make plays. He needs to make sure that in the defensive zone he gets his stick on the puck as one goal could have been prevented had his stick been in the lane.
Mason Zebeski (LW, L, 6’2″, 202, Brampton Steelheads, 10/04/2005, New Hampshire)
Game Rating
B+
Mason Zebeski’s skating ability is a key asset, allowing him to apply pressure on opponents through the neutral zone with his speed and agility. He consistently uses quick crossovers and edge shifts to create uncertainty for defenders, making it difficult for them to anticipate his next move. He showcases his puck skills by creating scoring opportunities through clever movements outside and inside of defenders. Mason’s ability to adapt his attack and finish plays in the slot demonstrate his overall hockey IQ.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mason is a dangerous winger who creates a lot of offense from down low in the zone. He has a combination of speed, skill, and awareness that allows him to create a lot of chances for his team. He showed he can use his backhand well, sliding a centering feed to his teammate on a rush on his backhand. He wins pucks below the goal line and immediately finds an option in the slot or soft spaces. He plays on the flank on the powerplay where he is a go-to shooter, using his hard one-timer to get pucks on net. He rang one hard shot off of the crossbar on the powerplay and then in the third period he once again shot from the flank and this time was able to find the back of the net. He used the defenseman as a screen and was able to sneak a shot under the goalie’s arm to tie the game at 3.
Troy Patton (C, L, 5’10”, 191, Brampton Steelheads, 06/12/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Troy is a tough center who sacrifices his body to make plays. He was very noticeable defensively in this game, spending a lot of time killing penalties and going hard on the forecheck. He finished his checks well on the forecheck and made it hard for the defensemen going back to retrieve pucks as he barreled down on them. On the powerplay he plays in front of the net where he takes a beating in order to get to rebounds and screen/be a distraction in front. Troy did allow one pass to go through him on the penalty-kill which lead to a goal against as the puck went from one flank to the other dangerously. He also took a penalty in the offensive zone while on the powerplay which he needs to avoid. Overall he played a strong, high energy game that helped him team defensively.
Matej Stankoven (C, L, 6’0″, 188, Brampton Steelheads, 02/28/2008)
Game Rating
B-
Matej Stankoven is a skilled player with speed, demonstrating an ability to create offensive chances through his playmaking skills. As the game progressed, he improved his puck-handling, showcasing moments of nifty passing and clever movement on the ice. Notably, he successfully exploited a defender’s aggression by delivering a behind-the-back pass in the offensive zone. On the powerplay, Matej’s positioning allowed him to create opportunities on the weakside flank. In the defensive zone, he demonstrated physicality, using his body to battle for pucks along the wall.
1 Viewing
Comments: Matej had some bright offensive moments where his puck-handling shone through. He is skilled and can deke around people at times. He also had a very nice tip on the powerplay, almost directing the puck into the net. He needs to improve his consistency with the puck on his stick to limit turnovers, especially in the defensive zone on the breakout.
Stepan Shurygin (G, L, 6’5″, 207, Saginaw Spirit, 08/26/2007)
Game Rating
B+
This goaltender’s performance is characterized by inconsistent decision-making, particularly in early plays where he struggles to catch the puck. He tends to stay down on the ice for extended periods, limiting his lateral mobility and leaving him vulnerable to rebound shots. However, when the puck enters the crease, Stepan handles it well, showcasing his ability to make passes and initiate team breaks. Despite giving up a goal due to an error in positioning, he made several tough saves during a powerplay situation.
1 Viewing
Comments: Stepan was a large factor in his team’s win, making many big saves and breaking the puck out well for his team. His team had to kill a lot of penalties and he was forced to make some difficult saves on the kill. He showed his ability to do full splits to get his leg pads extended out to pucks. He stayed calm in all situations and bounced back from any mishaps with confidence. He gave up one goal he would want back as it snuck under his arm from the flank but he made the rest of the saves he should plus many more. He is very confident in his puck handling and patiently waits and reads pressure before deciding where to pass the puck. He misplayed the puck once but it didn’t deter him from making a skilled pass the next time. He can work to become a bit more technically sound in some situations but his compete level and confidence are high.
Levi Harper (D, R, 5’11”, 172, Saginaw Spirit, 10/03/2008, Minnesota)
Game Rating
B+
Levi Harper is a skilled defenseman who excels in creating scoring opportunities from the offensive blue line and on rushes. He possesses excellent skating and edgework, allowing him to effectively maneuver around defenders and control the puck. His strong puck-handling skills enable him to make plays with precision and accuracy. On offense, Levi scores goals with power and finesse, including a highlight-reel wrist shot goal on the powerplay. However, while his offensive talent is notable, Levi’s defensive game requires attention. He needs to improve his awareness and positioning to prevent opponents from finding open space in front of him. While he shows flashes of brilliance on offense, his defensive shortcomings can be exposed. As a result, he must focus on developing his overall defensive skills to reach his full potential.
1 Viewing
Comments: Levi is a skilled and shifty offensive-defenseman who uses his quick feet and whole body fakes to create time and space with the puck. He excels on the offensive zone blue line where he is very mobile and cruises around looking for lanes. He can escape from wingers coming out to pressure him by using fakes and his good edges. He also looks to execute exchanges and give-n-go plays from the blue line. He earned an assist on the powerplay where he passed the puck from his spot up top down to the flank for a one-timer. He also works hard on the defensive side of the puck. Levi made one notable play on a rush where he did a great job getting to a stick to deny a dangerous pass across the royal road.
Carson Harmer (C, L, 5’10”, 193, Saginaw Spirit, 01/13/2007)
Game Rating
B
Carson Harmer is a physically gifted center who showcases his skills through his work ethic and positioning. He demonstrated strong defensive instincts by tracking opponents and angling them off the puck, effectively protecting the middle of the ice. On one occasion, he intercepted a pass on a forecheck and quickly transitioned into an attack, showcasing his speed and agility as he cut above the goal line and pulled off a tricky shot through his legs.
1 Viewing
Comments: Carson is a smart two-way center who consistently makes positive plays. He is a worker and can play a role in front of the net where he can quickly get into the corners and retrieve pucks. He earned an assist in this game with a nice retrieval and pass out to the flank on the powerplay. He also makes lots of little plays that may go unnoticed by some such as short little bump passes in the neutral zone and short passes into space. He also has some skill with the puck and is able to make some fakes before pushing or pulling the puck and shooting. He had a couple of quality scoring chances in this game that he couldn’t quite bury. He is reliable in the defensive zone and always works hard off of the puck too.
Egor Barabanov (LW, L, 6’0″, 173, Saginaw Spirit, 05/01/2006, Penn State)
Game Rating
B
Egor is a skilled center with confidence when possessing the puck, using his speed to push the pace through the neutral zone but ultimately relying on his hands and decision-making to execute plays. He demonstrated his ability to make smart passes, such as setting up a shot from the top of the circle during a powerplay. Additionally, he had opportunities to score himself, including on the powerplay and in rush situations. Egor also showed his ability to create scoring chances through physical play, drawing a penalty by using his body to shield an opponent and gain possession. His overall skillset suggests a solid two-way player with good hockey sense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Egor registered a goal and an assist in this game, creating lots of chances especially on the powerplay. He is a very skilled player who can also make good passes and setup his teammates. He sees passing lanes and makes short slip passes into the slot for chances. His goal came on the powerplay where he caught the puck on the flank, got his body around it, and ripped the puck top shelf. His assist came off of a simple pass to the top of the umbrella on the powerplay. He has the skill and confidence to slip the puck around defenseman and can beat them in one on one situations.
Jacob Cloutier (RW, R, 5’10”, 177, Saginaw Spirit, 03/22/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Jacob had a very solid game and seemed to always be involved in the play when he was on the ice. He only recorded one assist in the win but he made a lot of smart passes to his teammates and possessed the puck a lot. He was especially strong on zone entries where he used different types of delays to buy time and then hit trailers coming into the zone. He had one where he pulled up and hit the weak-side defenseman coming into the zone and another where he did a Gretzky turn and then used a hip fake to come out of it and walk the seam. He is patient with the puck and will use cutbacks in the offensive zone to keep possession and wait for an opportunity. Jacob also had one scoring chance where he received a puck int he slot while facing his defensive end and he made did quick spin and shoot catching the goalie by surprise.
Dimian Zhilkin (RW, R, 5’10”, 183, Saginaw Spirit, 10/21/2008)
Game Rating
B-
Dimian Zhilkin exhibits a strong understanding of positioning, often placing himself in the center of the ice to create scoring opportunities. He displays a skilled approach, aiming to get pucks into the net through precise passes. In this game, he successfully generated four shooting attempts against Kitchener. His zone entry play showcased his ability to create chaos among defenders, utilizing a cross and drop combination to evade them. Zhilkin also demonstrated agility in the offensive zone, snatching a steal with a stick lift before launching an attack.
1 Viewing
Comments: Dimian was ejected from the game late in the first period for a high cross-check to the head. It was an unnecessary play where someone was trying to finish a check on him and he brought his hands up and cross-checked the opponent in the head. Before being ejected from the game he scored a one-time goal on the powerplay off of a flank to flank pass. He made some other nice plays on the powerplay from the flank where he is relied on as a shooter. He clearly has offensive ability but he did not play much in this game as he was ejected after just 15 minutes of play.
Ryan Hanrahan (C, L, 6’1″, 166, Saginaw Spirit, 11/10/2009)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Ryan’s skill showed in flashes but he did not have an overall high impact on the game, ending the game a -1 with just one shot on net. He had one rush in the first period where he pulled the puck through a defenders stick, pushed it back through the stick, and then hooked the puck behind the defenseman’s feet towards a teammate crashing the net. He made the defenseman look silly and he showed great skill and confidence with the puck. He also had a backdoor pass that created a good scoring chance. He showed potential in some plays but needs to do more to be a consistent threat.
Nicholas Sima (C, R, 6’3″, 206, Saginaw Spirit, 03/31/2005, Michigan)
Game Rating
B-
Nicholas Sima is a physically imposing winger who excels in his relentless pursuit of pucks. He is effective in disrupting the play through hard forechecks and backchecks, often angling players off their position and creating turnovers. On defense, he is a standout player, consistently making plays to shut down opponents. While Sima also possesses some offensive skills, such as being able to handle the puck well, his defensive prowess is where he truly shines. He showed the ability to make key plays in tight spaces and was instrumental in securing important wins.
1 Viewing
Comments: Nic is an enforcer style winger who uses his size and toughness to make an impact. He delivers big hits and takes every chance he is given to be physical and use his body to separate people from pucks. He needs to work on staying out of the penalty box as his physicality often crosses a line that lands him in the penalty box. He spent 6 minutes in the box tonight which put his team in a very hard situation. He is a solid defender and also a relied on penalty-killer for his team. He is not just a defensive winger though as he has decent skill with the puck and make some plays offensively too. He earned an assist on the powerplay with a nice flank to flank pass. Nic also had a few good plays on the rush where he executed some bump and drive plays and was able to identify the open space.
Nikita Klepov (LW, L, 6’0″, 178, Saginaw Spirit, 06/27/2008, Michigan State)
Game Rating
A
Klepov showcased a versatile skill set on the ice, utilizing his quickness to create space and deke around defenders. His ability to make precise passes in tight situations was particularly notable, often finding teammates in advantageous positions. While he occasionally struggled with puck control, Klepov generally demonstrated good decision-making with the ball at his feet. He effectively used his hands to manipulate the puck and create scoring opportunities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Nikita is a highly-skilled winger who has a very full toolbox that allows him to be a go-to player in all situations for his team. He factored into all four of his team’s goals against Brampton. He is a smooth skater, excellent puck handler, and possesses a rocket of a shot and he combines this with a toughness and strong defensive work ethic. He scored a goal on the powerplay on a one-timer from the flank that he blasted past the goalie top shelf and it was obvious his team was trying to set this play up on the powerplay as the strength and accuracy of his one-timer gives the goalie no chance other than to hope it hits him. Nikita’s skill with the puck is evident in one-on-one situations where he can push and pull the puck and shoot from different areas but it is also clear in his puck possession along the walls. He is able to get his body off of the wall to allow himself space to make quick cutbacks. He scored another goal by retrieving a puck, walking the seam into the middle of the ice and shooting the puck top shelf. Nikita also had two assists in this win, moving the puck well and identifying open options quickly. Although the offensive side of his game is elite, he does not ignore the defensive side. He is a go-to penalty killer for his team and is very effective because of his quick feet and good stick. He always extends his stick into the dangerous lanes and recovers quickly after the puck is moved. In even strength situations he is willing to do the hard work to win pucks and does not shy away from the dirty areas of the ice.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images