Played on Mar 31, 2025
Ontario Hockey League
Game Played in GFL Memorial Gardens
General Game Notes: This game needed overtime after a back and forth legit playoff style game. This game was decided in an overtime fashion from a flurry in front of the net and traffic ended being the reason for the game winner.
Keegan Gillen (D, R, 5’10”, 180, Soo Greyhounds, 04/24/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Gillen is probably best when he is left unnoticed, actually. He has decent size and strength, and can make a legitimate defensive impact thanks to those physical gifts and above average defensive awareness. He is not going to eliminate with massive hits but he can anchor a second unit penalty kill and responsibly execute a defensive system providing some punch and energy in the process. Offensively, Gillen is limited, lacking a solid shot, above average skating abilities, or real high end playmaking instincts. With that being said he does a good job at being simple looking to get shots through or find an open teammate. Not often you are going to see him look to beat a guy with his feet but he can beat them with a pass.
Caeden Carlisle (D, L, 6’1″, 195, Soo Greyhounds, 01/31/2004, Notre Dame)
Game Rating
A-
Carlisle’s defensive play is notable for its effectiveness, largely due to his ability to skate and move well despite being a big-bodied defenseman. While he doesn’t stand out in terms of hockey sense or offense, he has potential for increased physical dominance. His frame allows him to deliver occasional strong hits. On the other hand, Carlisle’s shot is a notable asset, but it requires space and time to be most effective. He generally makes sound decisions with possession, quickly moving the puck before any mistakes occur.
1 Viewing
Comments: Carlisle scored a simple yet very effective goal ending the goal and sealing the deal for the Hounds. As the late wave, he was able to get the puck at the blue and without stick handling it, get a shot on net through traffic that eventually found its way to the back of the net. With the extra traffic provided, the goalie had no chance to see the puck. Not really known for his offensive stats, Carlisle showed tonight that he can be a solid two way defensemen that can play at both ends of the ice. His goal tonight and how he scored is exactly how he is going to participate in the offense, find a way to be a late wave where he is always in position to be a safe outlet for offense while also be in great supportive defensive position.
Travis Hayes (RW, R, 5’11”, 175, Soo Greyhounds, 09/03/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: With an absolute snipe on the power play, Hayes showed why he is a perfeft spot at the flanker position up a man. As he drifted in, he had the time to collect himself and the puck, pick his spot, and blow one right past the goalies ear. This goal was impressive because both the goalie and defenseman had time to block this shot and still Hayes was able to get it off with a little drag and precision accuracy. Hayes was able to show tonight that he has great speed and thinks the game at a high level. Unlike many other fast forwards, his brain is not a step behind his feet, and that mental quickness is what sets him apart. He is able to effectively leverage his speed into time and space to make plays.
Justin Cloutier (RW, R, 5’8″, 181, Soo Greyhounds, 06/20/2005)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Involved in a slick passing play and a three on two rush, Cloutier created a give and go passing situation where he was able to get the puck back in a grade A shooting spot with the goalie outstretched. As he got the puck back in the slot with plenty of net to hit, he buried the second goal of the game for his team, putting them up by one at the time. He is one of the smaller players on the ice and plays with the agility that usually goes with smaller forwards, but where he sets himself a part is how hard he is on the puck. Not often he is getting beat to a loose puck or getting out muscled along the wall. It could be from the leverage he is able to gain with a sturdy base, whatever it is, he wins battles.
Josef Eichler (D, R, 6’0″, 195, Windsor Spitfires, 12/14/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Eichler showed tonight that he is limited, as he lacks high end offensive tools. His hands are not great, he is not the best skater, and his passing is fine, but nothing special. He is capable of producing if he plays with an offensive partner, but by himself he is not much of an offensive generator. With that being said, he does a lot of things well just not great. On the other end of that spectrum, he is never the generator of a bad play. His game is simple but definitely effective, especially in playoff hockey where turnovers are the difference between winning and losing. He could add a little more confidence in his offensive that would take his overall play to a new level.
Carson Woodall (D, L, 5’11”, 188, Windsor Spitfires, 05/26/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Similar to the game winner and a trend for defenseman, Woodall was able to get his point shot through opening the scoring for the game tonight. He made it simple and was able to beat the traffic and the goalies vision with minimal stick handles and quickly getting it off. He is a poised yet aggressive player who quickly identifies his check, disrupts the play, and transitions seamlessly into the attack. His proactive involvement makes him a constant offensive option on the rush and a legitimate threat in the offensive zone. When he jumps into the play, he thinks like a forward, confidently executing high value plays without hesitation.
Conor Walton (D, L, 6’5″, 209, Windsor Spitfires, 04/22/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Walton is the kind of defenseman who’s best when he is left unnoticed, and that shows in his game. He is safe with the puck, does not often join the rush, and is content starting most of his shifts in the defensive zone and spending most of his time pinned in his own end or killing penalties. He has a bit of two way in his game and can be seen getting lateral on the blue line but tonight his game excelled more in his own end. He can clear the crease in front of the net, fight for pucks in the corners, and use his decent skating to facilitate zone exits. He has a long reach that helps him break up plays and can start a breakout as well.
Luke McNamara (C, L, 6’2″, 181, Windsor Spitfires, 03/02/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: McNamara was able to show tonight that he does a good job at taking advantage of open areas of the ice to create plays for his teammates, and he does not need elite speed to produce offense. That being said, his lack of speed is an issue, and he is far more productive stationary with time and space than off the rush. He was at his best tonight below the goal line and winning board battles to ultimately get the puck to the slot area for a teammate waiting for him to do all the work. He works his bag off and it shows by some of the chances he was able to create. At times, he gets lost defensively and this has a lot to do with his foot speed.
Liam Greentree (RW, L, 6’3″, 216, Windsor Spitfires, 01/01/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Greentree was the savior at the time, tying the game up with thirty seconds left on the clock. As the puck went low to high, it was then seemed to him where he was able to bear down and get great connection on a snap shot one timer that the goalie had no chance. A bit lucky as there was a ton of traffic but the way he was able to get this shot off so quickly was the main reason it went in. Defensively, he is not a high-end winger, but he is smart enough to make himself useful and is fast enough to be an effective back checker. He should not be considered a true defensive plus, but he is not a liability and his offense is so good that it would be fine even if he was a true defensive minus.
Jack Nesbitt (C, L, 6’4″, 185, Windsor Spitfires, 01/12/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Nesbitt was able to show tonight that he plays with a relentless motor and a lot of grit. He can get under his opponents skin, steal the puck from them, and then rifle the puck in from the hash marks. He is so much an not an offensive creator on his own, but he has a good shot and his endless effort and determination puts him in positions to score. Defensively, Nesbitt is capable, bringing physicality, energy, and decent defensive awareness to the back end. He can effectively kill penalties and use his energy to be an effective forechecker. He is a good, well rounded two way agitator with some offensive chops and defensive skill. All of this combined with great size and one of the younger players on the ice, he plays a lot older than he actually is.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images