Neutral Zone was present at the Ontario Hockey League game in Hamilton on Sunday, December 5th, 2021. Erie Otters and the Hamilton Bulldogs played a low scoring but exciting game that ended in a draw at the end of regulation. Hamilton wins 3-2 in a shootout.
ERIE
| Spencer Sova | Erie Otters | OHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 185 | Erie Otters | 2020 | Windsor, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
Mobile defenseman with a long quick stride. Plays power play and penalty kill. Supports partner, providing an easy option, if needed. He also uses his partner effectively in mid-ice as an out to elude forechecking pressure. Does an excellent job of managing and navigating the offensive blue line during the power play. Makes very good use of his stick to defend attacks. He applies pressure to stick blade of opponent, influencing the direction of play or nullifying passing lanes. Physical containment strategy down low in defensive zone needs further development. Lot’s of upside here. Grade B
| Nolan Lalonde | Erie Otters | OHL | L | G | 6’1″ | 185 | Erie Otters | 2020 | Kingston, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Lalonde provided his team with an excellent performance on this day. He was faced with many shots/scoring chances that were not directed straight at the goal. Hamilton generated shots off-of-centre and forced Lalonde to be quick to follow the path of the puck, in order to re-set for the actual shot location. Lalonde, to his credit was up to the task on most of these cross zone plays. Two goals beat him during play and both were shots coming from passes across the “royal road”. Lalonde did a very good job tracking pucks off longer shots, through traffic. Few rebounds were left around the crease. Any chance to handle the puck below the goal line was done confidently and efficiently. Grade B+
| Kaleb Smith | Erie Otters | OHL | R | RW | 6’1″ | 181 | Erie Otters | 2020 | Arcade, NY | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
A very good skater with a long, strong stride. Smith is often F1 and he does an excellent job of using his stick to influence the direction of the play in the neutral zone. When F1 in the offensive zone, he engages quickly and makes an effort to create puck separation using body position and stick. When Erie has possession below the goal-line in the offensive zone, Smith continues to move in and out of traffic, establishing moments when he is in a pocket of open ice, available for a quick pass. His board play is effective and his puck plays, particularly on defensive zone exits is reliable. Smith will need to continue to develop his skating edges to improve his transitional skating. Grade C+.
| Christian Kyrou | Erie Otters | OHL | R | D | 5’11” | 183 | Erie Otters | 2019 | Komoka, ON | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
Kyrou is a very agile, undersized defenseman who plays all situations for his team. He helps his defensive partner as he makes himself available as an out, when required. Kyrou shows confidence in his puck handling abilities, as when there is open ice in front of him he will recognize and skate the puck up ice. In the offensive zone, he supports plays generated low by finding open ice when required. He is active on the offensive blue-line. Kyrou, like most young D, requires continued development on his edge work and pivots. Grade C+
HAMILTON
| Patrick Thomas | Hamilton Bulldogs | OHL | L | C | 5’11” | 161 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2020 | Oakville, ON | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Thomas gave a very reliable, effective performance on this day. Thomas showed the ability to make plays from below the goal line during this game, once finding the weakside defenseman, across the slot at the net-front hash-marks for a scoring chance. His board play was consistent, engaging in physical play as needed. While he didn’t win every scenario, Thomas was able to maintain possession for his team or keep the play moving for his team. In the defensive zone, his board play led to effective next plays and clean zone exits most of the time. Thomas’ skating needs to continue developing. Discovering and mastering his edges will help him become a more effective player in transition situations. Grade C+
| Jonathan Melee | Hamilton Bulldogs | OHL | L | C | 6’1″ | 183 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2020 | Rockland, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
He has good size and used it as he pursued loose pucks. He was effective in the offensive zone, as F3, hovering in and out of coverage ensuring he was available for a pass. Melee played a more physically engaging game today, than in previous viewings. He assumed the role of F1 on a number of occasions and finished his check regularly. He shows the ability to anticipate the flow of the puck, as opposed to chasing or reacting to its movement. Grade B
Logo Courtesy of Hamilton Bulldogs
Evaluation: Murray Nystrom
Stats provided by InStat