On February 16th Neutral Zone watched the Battalion play host to the Mississauga Steelheads. The Steelheads seemed to carry much of the offensive play, but when it was all said and done North Bay won it 3-2 in over time. How did the Battalion’s NHL prospects perform?
Simon Rose (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Defense
Simon was everywhere and that’s not including his over time game winner. He did everything a coach could ask for by blocking multiple shots, taking runs at guys through the neutral zone (and making contact), making quick decisions and processing the game cleanly. He worked well with his partners in both offensive and defensive situations, and understood how to work with a goalie who liked to play the puck. Simon was a very effective penalty killer and was willing to sacrifice his body for the good of the team. His OT winner was a thing of beauty where he got the Steelhead defenseman to lean before pulling the puck back, jumped over him and finally going in alone and burying it short side shelf. I loved his game and he looked like a hell of a teammate. Game Grade: A
Joe Vrbetic (4 Star Amateur Rating, 2021 NHL Grade — B) Goalie
Joe was very good in this one. He was confident while tracking pucks and did a great job remaining focused while his sight lines weren’t clear. I loved the way he played the puck on dump ins and it was obvious that the entire defensive core had confidence in his puck skills. Rebounds were nowhere to be found and his glove hand was very quick. Joe displayed excellent anticipation while being a man down and his lateral quickness was on full display when exploding in post to post movements allowing Joe to block a number of royal road one-timers. He out waited the puck carriers forcing the Steelhead shooters into poor angles & poor decisions while on odd man rushes. It was a nice game for Joe. Game Grade: B+
Brandon Coe (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — A-) Forward
On the offensive side of the puck Brandon was dangerous all game. He used his speed to beat Mississauga’s backcheckers into the scoring area and was a consistent scoring threat. He was able to generate speed through the neutral zone and for such a big kid he proved to be very elusive and threatening while cycling the puck off the walls or attacking a defender 1v1. I really liked how he would prepare his body to receive contact. He kept his hips low and had his weight on his inside edges which allowed him to power through the contact. Brandon also showed maturity in the grey areas by getting the puck in or out. The combination of his athleticism, speed and size are very impressive. Game Grade: B
Luke Moncada (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Forward
Luke played a direct honest hard working game. He showed nice composure while gaining the offensive zone and had a beautiful helper on the Battalion’s second goal. He drove wide sucking the defender with him forcing the Steelhead’s defenseman to go down allowing him to give a perfect pass into the high slot that was one-timed past the netminder. I feel he made smart decisions in all three zones showing awareness as a reliable two-way center. His decision making was quick and he showed confidence in offensive situations. Luke was a maximum effort player who had a positive impact on the win. Game Grade: B
Mitchell Russell (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
Mitchell finished this one with a goal and an assist, and both were great examples of how he can to impact the game by making smart decisions. The goal was on a backhand stuff that came off of a quick cycling play. Mitchell maintained body positioning while the puck was coming to him along the wall and he showed quickness beating the netminder to the post. It was a simple no nonsense play that got positive results. His helper was a secondary that originated when he provided support on a breakout. He handled a bobbling breakout pass smoothly and made a quick outlet to a streaking line mate through the neutral zone, but the most important thing he did was keeping his feet moving and driving right to the net after making the pass. Game Grade: B+
Harrison Caines (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Forward
Harrison was an impact player today. He has the primary assist on the Battalion’s first goal after extending and offensive zone cycle and winning wall battles. This effort pretty much summed up his day and attitude. Harrison would not be denied, and in his mind there was no such thing as a 50-50 puck because he was going to win it every time. His goal was pure effort. He joined the play as a late attacker after making a breakout pass in his end and hammered a one-timer from the high slot. It was a subtly impressive play and one that will not get the credit that it deserves. Game Grade: B+