Played on Jan 15, 2026
Game Played in Sadlon Arena
General Game Notes: This was a fast-paced game with lots of back-and-forth action. Barrie scored the first goal and Flint quickly responded to make it 1-1. Barrie scored the next two and then Flint scored two after that, evening the score at 3-3 halfway through the game. Barrie scored their game-winning goal at the end of the second period and added one more in the third to secure the 5-3 victory. Here is a report of the top performers from this game:
Ben Hrebik (G, L, 6’2″, 209, Barrie Colts, 04/04/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Ben Hrebik displayed strong positioning and anticipation skills throughout the game, consistently making difficult saves despite facing multiple backdoor shots. His quick movements across the net allowed him to get into position before shots were taken, showcasing his awareness and reaction time. When handling pucks, he is confident and effective in starting breakouts with precise passes and accurate rim plays. This ability to read the play and react quickly was a key factor in Barrie’s success, making him a valuable asset on the team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ben made 29 saves on 32 shots en route to the win. He establishes good depth and then holds his ground well to cut down on angles and deny chances. He is calm and makes big saves look routine as he smoothly gets into position. He gets across the net laterally with a lot of speed and quickness. Although he didn’t have many puck touches in this game he showed that he can confidently handle the puck and make passes under pressure when needed.
Parker Von Richter (D, R, 6’1″, 206, Barrie Colts, 05/17/2006, New Hampshire)
Game Rating
B
This player is a well-rounded defenseman with a strong hockey IQ, making smart decisions both offensively and defensively. They excel at distributing the puck effectively, often creating scoring chances through clever passes. On the powerplay, they take on a leadership role, directing the play and shooting from various angles. In defensive situations, they are active and physical, using their positioning to shut down opponents and protect the blue line. However, there is room for improvement in maintaining coverage in tight spaces, particularly when considering the middle of the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Parker was a bit underwhelming in tonight’s game compared to my previous viewings of him. He did not play poorly but his impact on the game was less than expected. He showed some evasiveness with the puck below the goal line. He also was noticeable shooting the puck from the offensive blue line, getting four shots on net. Parker does not just shoot the puck towards the net blindly, but instead he shoots for sticks and shoots with a lot of purpose. On rushes he stood the opponents up at the blue line and threw some big hits. He was solid overall but was less of a difference-maker than in my previous viewings of him with Brampton.
Joseph Salandra (RW, R, 5’10”, 196, Barrie Colts, 02/15/2008, Harvard)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Joe is a winger with great vision and puck-moving ability. He set up a lot of scoring chances in this game with passes from all different areas. He made a nice pass to the backdoor and also made a behind the back pass from down low to a teammate in the slot. On the powerplay he plays down low, off to the side of the net, and finds lanes to the bumper from here. Joe earned an assist by shooting and creating a rebound. On turnovers in the neutral zone he is able to quickly headman the puck and attack in transition before the opponent can get into good defensive position.
Justin Handsor (D, L, 6’1″, 200, Barrie Colts, 09/24/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Justin showed a mix of shutdown defense, reliable puck-moving, and some flashes of offense in this game. He is always aware of the situation and reads the play well. He got his stick on pucks and played the body well on rushes with a tight gap. He had a couple of nice rushes with the puck, one time making a nice pass and the other time making a delay move and then shooting. He is an anchor for a very strong D-corp and brings consistency every shift.
Emil Hemming (RW, R, 6’1″, 207, Barrie Colts, 06/27/2006)
Game Rating
A
Emil Hemming is a physical presence on the ice, utilizing his strength to outmuscle opponents for puck possession. He employs clever cutbacks with the puck to create scoring opportunities. As a power-forward, he excels on the powerplay, serving as a reliable shooter with a potent one-timer and wrister. In neutral zone play, Emil showcases his agility in navigating around defenders.
1 Viewing
Comments: Emil was a standout player in this game, scoring two goals, assisting two others, and registering five shots on net. He was involved in so much of the offense and was a part of many scoring chances. He is comfortable handling the puck and will push and pull it through the defenseman’s stick in order to get a shooting lane or passing lane. The first goal he scored came on a zone entry where he caught and shot the puck from the slot, catching the puck on his forehand and under-handling the puck to quickly shoot it past the goalie. His second goal was also on a zone entry situation and on this one he received a long pass and entered the zone taking a slapshot. His initial bid was denied but he followed it up and put the rebound away. He is a tough player who works to create opportunities and isn’t afraid to engage in battles and win pucks. He backchecks hard and plays a true 200-foot game.
Cole Beaudoin (C, L, 6’2″, 213, Barrie Colts, 04/24/2006)
Game Rating
A-
Cole Beaudoin is a physical center with a relentless style of play, making an impact every time he steps onto the ice. He is a go-to shooter on the powerplay and consistently shoots from various locations. His work ethic allows him to make up for any limitations in his skating, which can be improved to make his feet quicker. He is effective at both scoring goals and defending against the puck. Beaudoin battles hard all over the ice, using his above-average skating skills to outmuscle opponents. He is also relied upon to kill penalties and backcheck aggressively, making him a valuable asset on the team’s defense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Cole is a strong, hard-nosed center who battles everywhere on the ice. He muscles his way past opponents and is able to keep the puck through traffic. His feet are a bit heavy but he is still very mobile and is able to get on his edges to escape from opponents. He has a shooting and net-driving mentality where he takes any opportunity to get pucks to the net and drives hard to create chances. Cole plays as a bumper on the powerplay where he finds space to use his heavy shot. Lastly, he created a high-quality scoring chance on a 2v1 with a great pass across into space. His game is very well-rounded and his work ethic makes him successful all over the ice.
Benjamin Wilmott (LW, L, 6’1″, 189, Barrie Colts, 08/30/2006, Ohio State)
Game Rating
B+
Benjamin Wilmott is an effective playmaker on the powerplay, able to create scoring opportunities for his team through a combination of passing and shooting skills. He demonstrates a good understanding of when to pass and when to shoot, allowing him to make an impact in both situations. Wilmott also brings speed and work ethic to the neutral zone, pushing defenders back and creating space for himself and his teammates. His movement on the ice is fluid, allowing him to make effective use of his skills in different situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ben created a lot of offense, connecting well with his linemates. He finished the game with a goal and an assist. He is a puck-moving winger who sees open lanes to his teammates. His goal came on a play where he drove the net hard and batted a rebound out of the air and into the net. His assist came on a pass that he made on a zone entry across the royal road. Ben is crafty with the puck and will make subtle plays or use his backhand in tight spaces to make good passes.
Kashawn Aitcheson (D, L, 6’2″, 200, Barrie Colts, 09/21/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Kashawn is a hard-hitting, heavy-shooting defenseman. He likes to shoot and can tee up a very hard one-timer. He scored a goal with this one-timer on the powerplay from his flank position. He fired a rocket over the goalie’s shoulder off of a pass from the point. He also threw some big hits, stepping up in the neutral zone to stop rushes from developing. He will occasionally jump up in offensive rushes. Kashawn likes to slow the play down behind his defensive net and settle things down so his teammates can change and get into position to attack. He also earned an assist in this game from this very position, slowing things down behind his net and then realizing the other team was changing as well and he fired a pass to a teammate at the far blue line. This led to a 2v1 chance that his team scored on.
Gabriel Eliasson (D, L, 6’7″, 210, Barrie Colts, 09/09/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Gabriel is a very tall, tough defenseman. He was mostly noticeable for his hard-hitting and toughness. For his 6’7′ height he is an okay skater and he can mostly make up for any lack of mobility with his long-reach. He had trouble with puck management in this game, resulting in too many turnovers especially in the defensive zone. He is not going to be an evasive defenseman who can rely on skill and he instead needs to focus on making simple plays and not forcing plays that are not there. The physical side of his game is well-developed but he needs to work on his puck management if he wants to have more success.
Jimmy Lombardi (C, L, 6’0″, 187, Flint Firebirds, 02/16/2007, Michigan)
Game Rating
B
Jimmy Lombardi’s passing ability is a notable aspect of his game, as he often utilizes his backhand to distribute the puck to teammates. This skill allows him to establish himself in the middle of the ice, creating opportunities for him to exploit different parts of the rink. He demonstrated this by attempting to create offense from various seams on the ice, although some of these plays didn’t quite come together. Lombardi also showcased his ability to make plays with his hands, such as a successful spin and shoot in the offensive zone. His defensive work was also evident, as he backchecked hard and was involved in puck management on the defensive side of the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Jimmy handles the puck well and finds ways to get into the middle of the ice. He is crafty with the puck and can see lanes to his teammates. Because of this he is the down-low player on the powerplay, distributing the puck to the flanks and bumpers for chances. He had one great scoring chance where he spun and shot on his bakckand, catching the goalie off-guard but the puck hit off of the far post and bounced out. Jimmy works to be in position and pays attention on the defensive side of the puck as well.
Kevin He (LW, L, 5’11”, 188, Flint Firebirds, 04/30/2006)
Game Rating
B
Kevin He showcased his speed and agility, making quick cuts and escapes to maintain possession of the puck. His ability to control the pace in the neutral zone allowed him to apply pressure on opponents. On offense, he demonstrated a willingness to be physical and win pucks using his body. He also displayed flashes of skill with a highlight-reel one-time goal on the powerplay. However, he struggled with managing the puck in certain situations, resulting in turnovers. To take his game to the next level, He will need to improve his puck management and consistency.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kevin is a speedy winger who uses his edges to possess the puck and make plays. He flies through the neutral zone and then uses delays and Gretzky moves to mess with the defenders’ feet on zone entries. He can get onto his edges and make quick cuts with the puck. Kevin uses his speed to put pressure on the forecheck as well, though he can do a better job of getting pins and creating battles at times. He is a penalty-killer and is able to get into lanes quickly and use his strong skating to minimize chances. He also plays on the flank on the powerplay.
Darian Anderson (RW, R, 6’2″, 191, Flint Firebirds, 12/22/2006, Clarkson)
Game Rating
B+
Darian Anderson is a dynamic player who brings energy and urgency to the ice, making him a standout on Flint’s offense. He excels at creating scoring opportunities with his quick passes and puck movement, often setting up chances for himself and teammates by getting pucks across the ice. His ability to skate in both directions and make plays with the puck makes him difficult to defend against. In the defensive zone, Anderson is solid, using his stick to cut off passing lanes and protect the middle of the ice. He demonstrates a strong understanding of positioning and timing, making it challenging for opponents to create scoring chances.
1 Viewing
Comments: Darian handles and protects the puck well. He was able to keep possession in the offensive zone while finding good options. He works very hard and keeps his feet moving to stay involved in the play. With this strong work ethic he was able to create some turnovers on the forecheck. He scored a goal on a breakaway where he deked and used his quick hands to slide the puck 5-hole as the goalie was sliding laterally.
Rylan Fellinger (D, R, 6’3″, 199, Flint Firebirds, 05/16/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Rylan plays with a strong offensive zone gap and has a good work ethic. He makes good decisions about when to step up and make a play. He is solid defensively and can be relied on to keep opponents wide and take care of the front of the net. He is not flashy and is more of a defensive defenseman but he will occasionally jump up in the play when the opportunity presents itself. He did so tonight and was able to score a goal by going hard to the net and putting away a rebound with a one-timer.
Nathan Aspinall (LW, L, 6’6″, 206, Flint Firebirds, 03/30/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Nathan is a tall winger who has a long, smooth stride and does a great job distributing the puck. He is always scanning the ice while skating and finds open teammates, especially on zone entries. One of these zone entry passes earned him an assist. He also registered four shots on net. Nathan plays on the flank on the powerplay where he puts pucks on net low, creating rebound chances. He can work to improve his habits after shooting as he once circled all the way around the net instead of stopping to have a chance at a rebound or at least being able to get into backcheck position sooner.
Urban Podrekar (D, L, 5’11”, 204, Flint Firebirds, 02/14/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Urban is a skilled two-way defenseman known for his dynamic playstyle. His smooth skating allows him to move effectively in all directions, making him a strong defender against rushes and in-zone plays. He excels at using his speed and separation to control opponents near the net. When possessing the puck, Urban quickly identifies passing lanes and delivers accurate passes to his teammates. In transition, he can use his speed to outmaneuver opponents on the breakout and zone entries. His ability to cover both defensive and offensive aspects of the game is notable. Urban also shows poise in key situations, such as driving down the walls with the puck in the offensive zone and making precise centering passes. He effectively leads his team’s powerplay unit, demonstrating mobility along the blue line. However, there are areas for improvement, including getting his stick on the puck during one-on-one rushes.
1 Viewing
Comments: Urban quarterbacks the play when he is on the ice, making good passes and getting his feet up ice. He likes to join rushes and be involved in the offense. He is up top of the umbrella on the powerplay where he uses his ability to distribute the puck. He skates well and has both good edges and smooth speed. He made great decisions about when to pinch and often kept pucks in the offensive zone for his team. Urban also defended rushes well and used an active stick to knock pucks off of opponents sticks on rushes.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images