Game played 1/04/2025.
General Game Notes: Two evenly matched teams that have played the same amount of games and look to be contenders for the playoffs this season. Offence seems to be on display for both teams and they didn’t disappoint with each team scoring four goals each during the regulation time. The overtime decided the out come when veteran defender Finn Harding scored while playing in the 3 on 3 play to seal the win for the home team Steelheads.
Jack Ivankovic (G, L, 5’11”, 178, Brampton Steelheads, 05/22/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Started the game and appeared to be uncomfortable during the entire game, acting like he was unsure of himself and late reacting to shots that he usually would make look like they were routine saves. I’m quite sure that Jack will get back in his groove that he was in before he went to play for the National Jr. U 20 team. The mind will play games on your performance but Jack is too good to let this bother him for very long. Just a blip on Jack’s radar screen.Average game for him
Finn Harding (D, R, 6’1″, 198, Brampton Steelheads, 03/02/2005)
Grade: B+
Comments: One of the best games I’ve seen this player play and logged the most ice time for his team. It appeared that Finn was on the ice for just about every important situation, since one other veteran defender was ejected late in the first period for a major penalty (Hit to the Head). Finn scored the winning goal in overtime and assisted on two helpers. Finn appears to be in excellent condition and could handle the extra ice he was given. Was a plus +3 on the night.
Carson Rehkopf (C, L, 6’2″, 202, Brampton Steelheads, 01/07/2005)
Grade: B-
Comments: Carson was a minus -2 on the day, even though he scored a goal. Carson needs to care about his defensive positioning away from the puck and when his team is not in possession. This is going to be a big obstacle for Carson to overcome and he may spend another season in the OHL if he doesn’t overcome this liability. Average game for him. Desire is questionable. Not tough enough.
Angus Macdonell (C, L, 5’10”, 181, Brampton Steelheads, 05/01/2005)
Grade: B+
Comments: Had a good game. Still not playing his best yet as his return from injury recently may be affecting his timing and compete levels, but this player will never cheat his teammates or himself. Scored a goal and assisted once. Angus never takes a shift off and is the true grit leader of the forward crew on their team
Gabriel Chiarot (F, L, 5’11”, 192, Brampton Steelheads, 09/17/2006)
Grade: B+
Comments: Excellent game – stood out. Because Gabriel is building on his very strong two way play and gives a darn about his teammates, it is not hard for this viewer to notice him every shift that he plays. Gabriel is creating opportunities for his mates and himself when his creativity is built on his very good forechecking style, which is evolving right before out eyes. The fact that Gabriel is stealing pucks, protecting pucks in the entire ice surface, should be noticeable to the trained eye. But most importantly this player is scoring or setting up mates the entire game and it doesn’t matter who he is playing with.
Vilmer Alriksson (LW, L, 6’6″, 235, Brampton Steelheads, 02/18/2005)
Grade: B+
Comments: Excellent game – stood out. Vilmer got his first goal after being traded from Guelph three game ago and his physical presence is really noticable, and provides a lift to his mates when he executes the reverse hits and usually comes up with the puck as well. Vilmer is not just a one trick pony as he consistently sets the table for his mates with deceptive passes and controls the boards or the front of the oppositions net with his big frame. A very good north south skater and am also impressed with his east west movement when he doesn’t have the puck. Compete is off the charts and if Vilmer can get in even better condition, will be a hard player to handle for any team in this league.
Lucas Karmiris (C, R, 5’11”, 181, Brampton Steelheads, 09/27/2006)
Grade: B
Comments: Had a good game. Lucas is getting his feel back and doesn’t appear to be shying away from taking contact after missing quite a few games due to a serious early season injury. Lucas has a very good set of hands and his ability to manipulate his stick is apparent on his faceoffs 14/21 and although he didn’t get any goals he was close on a couple of his chances. He did connect with Gabriel Chiarot for a nice goal in the third period and if I’m not mistaken, played on the same Brantford AAA 99ers U 16 team. Hmmm? Could they be a connecting force?
Luke Misa (C, R, 5’10”, 176, Brampton Steelheads, 02/28/2005)
Grade: B+
Comments: Had a good game. The fact that the smallest player on his supposed first line is doing most of the leg work for the other two offensive minded player’s, just baffles me. Luke gets the unsung hero for his team in this game as he just keeps doing his job, hoping that his hard work will not go to no avail and the other two line mates will get with the program.
Kaden Pitre (C, L, 5’11”, 167, Flint Firebirds, 02/08/2006)
Grade: B+
Comments: Kaden is progressing slowly, but progressing, with his defensive game, while playing against the top six players for the opposing teams. Offensively Kaden is by far the most dangerous player for his team and is most likely his team’s top points producer any given night. Kaden can use some brushing up on his faceoff technique and probably be trying to tie up his opponent rather than trying to win the draw, especially in his own end. Kaden also has a habit of staying too invested each and every shift, in trying to score and gets caught deep in his opponents end, when he should try to support his defender’s up higher in the slot area where he can intercept more passes or just be on the defensive side of play more often, rather than always be chasing from behind. This requires Kaden to be more patient and wait for promising opportunities to strike offensively.
Nathan Aspinall (LW, L, 6’6″, 185, Flint Firebirds, 03/30/2006)
Grade: B
Comments: This is the first time I have watched Nathan play since his draft season and have noticed some differences in his play. First off Nathan is still a lanky player that is still growing, mainly out rather than upwards. Nathan is a better skater as he has improved his east/west movement, with and without the puck. Nathan will take longer to get his quick twitch muscles to mature and therefore his power still is yet to come to his skating stride. At 6′ 7′ and 190lbs this is evident. When Nathan gets stronger over the next few years he will most likely top out at 220lbs and be a much faster and stronger man. Nathan should probably forget about being a physical style player and focus on only standing up for himself, while doing what he does well and that is scoring goals and setting up his teammates. Nathan gets distracted with the after whistle shenanigans. Nathan is a point producer that will eventually not be getting pushed around.
Evan Konyen (RW, R, 6’0″, 184, Flint Firebirds, 02/22/2004, RIT)
Grade: B
Comments: Evan seems to be always around the puck with his good skill set and above average hockey IQ. Defensively Evan could stand to be more conscious of getting between his opponents and his area of responsibility more frequently as he at times is in the right place but not always. This guy can score and like previously mentioned can get around the ice with ease. Maybe just a little more focus on the task at hand each shift is all Evan really needs.
Urban Podrekar (D, L, 6’0″, 200, Flint Firebirds, 02/14/2005)
Grade: B+
Comments: Urban was his teams best offensive threat from the back end and scored a goal.Had a good game on the road, playing with an assertive edge on the defensive side, while standing up against the best player’s the Steelheads had to offer. I can see how Urban, from Slovinia was chosen fourth overall by the Icedogs, in the 2023 OHL Import Draft. This season Urban started off sluggishly in his new environment but recently has picked up his points production and more importantly has improved his defensive game and is finally on the plus side of the plus/minus category while playing against the top players for each team. Urban is a very good two way player that has grit and doesn’t take a lot of penalties because of his excellent defensive positioning.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images