Played on Oct 3, 2025
Game Played in Sleeman Centre
General Game Notes: This entertaining early season game turned into a goaltending duel down the stretch. Shurygin from Saginaw and Jovanovski in the Guelph net traded saves down the stretch and ensured the game went to overtime. Leo Serlin scored in OT to cap the win off for Guelph.
Zachary Jovanovski (G, L, 6’3″, 187, Guelph Storm, 10/07/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Jovanovski faced heavy pressure early on, stopping 14 shots in the first frame, and finished the night with 28 saves on 30 shots overall. This game turned into a goaltending duel with Shurygin from Saginaw. Jovanovski got the 3-2 win in overtime. He utilized his frame effectively, challenging shooters aggressively and covering the lower half of the net reliably. His agility was strong in traffic and allowed him to adjust/recover during off-balance and broken-plays. He was sharp from the opening face-off in this viewing and made a number of key stops in the first period, including two point-blank saves where he showed quick reaction/movement.
Eric Frossard (D, L, 6’6″, 207, Guelph Storm, 01/12/2008, Notre Dame)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Frossard is a big defender who can manage pucks from the back end. He controlled the play effectively with clean transitions up ice and used his size to protect the puck during breakouts. His skating mechanics were smooth with his long, powerful stride, and his mobility allowed him to recover quickly in the neutral zone. A few examples in this one where he closed down the offside effectively after his defense partner was beat, used his reach and long stick to prevent scoring chances. He utilized a strong stick in front of his net to clear traffic and made a timely shot block late in the second period when under pressure in his zone. He was not overly physical in this one but used his feet, mobility, and reach to take away time and space from attackers. In the offensive zone, he walked the blue line to create space for a heavy slapshot, actively seeking dangerous passing lanes rather than dumping the puck. Overall, his game steadily improved throughout the night as the game tightened up and he showed confidence late in all zones of the ice.
Rylan Singh (D, R, 6’0″, 176, Guelph Storm, 10/04/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Singh logged heavy minutes in this viewing and consistently drove play with his good puck control and confidence to move forward. He is an offensive minded puck control defender who was active this evening and engaged on the attack. He showed the ability to rush with the puck or jump into holes as a secondary option. He displayed mobility on the offensive blueline, used his feet to change the shooting angles and found ways to get pucks through. Singh ran the first-unit power play, where he often activated from the point and moved the puck confidently. Defensively, Singh used his feet and body position to prevent zone entry. His gap control was effective but he struggled to contain opponents along the boards at times. This should improve if he continues to develop overall core strength and add weight to his frame.
Alex McLean (C, L, 5’11”, 188, Guelph Storm, 08/08/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: McLean is a cerebral forward who makes teammates better around him with his smarts and stick ability in tight around the net. Consistently, a smart first touch of the puck with this young player. He generally had a good idea of what he wanted to do before the puck got to him and used this to advantage on a handful of plays tonight to spring his linemates or create space for himself. He showed the ability to drive offensive play on the powerplay and cycle game but had some quiet periods in this viewing where he got nothing going in transition through the neutral zone. Down low and with the extra man, he distributed the puck through traffic to generate scoring opportunities and showed good hand-eye coordination in tight knocking down and deflecting pucks around the net. He made a high quality play on the winning goal where he used a smart first touch and quick pass to find his linemate open in front of the net for the finish. While he was effective in tight and around the net tonight, McLean could get a lot more out of his game if he continued to develop his skating stride power and quickness in transition.
Leo Serlin (RW, R, 6’1″, 192, Guelph Storm, 01/20/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Serlin played a responsible, high-energy game and was consistently noticeable throughout the viewing. He showed improved speed and skating ability from previous viewings and was strong on the forecheck where he won several puck battles. He generated chances this evening, missed a clear cut breakaway and showed pace on a two-on-one rush. Two quality chances where the Saginaw tender had to make saves. Serlin was rewarded with his pace and hustle this evening and scored the overtime winner with a quality finish, set up by his hustle and good net drive.
Illia Shybinskyi (LW, L, 6’0″, 173, Guelph Storm, 05/13/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: This skilled speedy winger had a productive game on offense. He came out of the gate early and showed pace off the rush and the ability to create in transition. He received pucks cleanly on the attack and didn’t miss a beat picking up pucks on either wing at pace. Showed an elite receive and stretch pass to spring Serlin early, picked up the puck cleanly and rifled a stretch pass tape to tape to create a breakaway chance. A quality rush to open the scoring for Guelph, Shybinskyi created space with his speed down the wing and forced a breakdown in the D that eventually led to the Guelph goal.
Carter Stevens (C, R, 6’2″, 197, Guelph Storm, 01/11/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Stevens is a versatile offensive forward with size and an offensive flare in his game. He was quiet early in this viewing but elevated his game with quality first-puck touches and good puck distribution in traffic. He set up the second goal for the Storm with a quick, crafty pass on the powerplay. He worked in the corners effectively and used reach and hustle along the boards, generated turnovers and ensured successful puck recoveries. We liked his net front play this evening, he used his size and length, and an active stick in front to tip pucks and challenge opposition defenders in the scoring area. Stevens showed creativity on the powerplay and cycle game but will need to continue to develop his pace in transition, adding an extra gear in open space would make him a highly coveted power forward.
Stepan Shurygin (G, L, 6’5″, 207, Saginaw Spirit, 08/26/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Shurygin gave his team a chance to win tonight. A big-game road performance from a big goalie. This game turned into a goaltending duel down the stretch with Shurygin and Jovanovski in the Guelph net trading saves down the stretch. Shurygin stopped 35 in the overtime loss but looked unbeatable for stretches in this one. At 6’4, used his large frame to hold his angles and stay square on shooters. He showed a sharp glove, quick post-to-post movement for his size. He was calm down the stretch and battled to see pucks when Guelph created traffic in front of the Saginaw net.
Levi Harper (D, R, 5’11”, 172, Saginaw Spirit, 10/03/2008, Minnesota)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Harper looked impressive for a first year defender at this level. He was confident from the get go and noticeable throughout this viewing with his mobility and strong puck management. He made a number of quality outlets and rarely panicked under pressure. He won pucks with pace and defended with speed, stepping up in the gap to close plays quickly. Offensively, he used his mobility and change of direction to walk the blueline and change the angle of attack. This allowed Harper to get pucks through and find teammates at the net front. His strong feet created the first Saginaw goal, he quickly changed direction and walked the line to find his partner in open space with a well placed pass. Keep an eye on this player if he can continue to build out his strength and core frame to enhance his defensive side of the game.
Egor Barabanov (LW, L, 6’0″, 173, Saginaw Spirit, 05/01/2006, Penn State)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: This nifty centerman was buzzing early, showing sharp edges, pace, and plenty of skill as he generated multiple quality looks in the first. His pace was noticeable early, creating turnovers, beating defenders in transition. He was snake bit in this game and could have scored a number if not for the hot goalie on the Guelph side. He was one of the top offensive drivers for Saginaw in this game. One hiccup late in OT, an extra long shift cost him as he didn’t have the legs to defend after some end to end overtime action. This breakdown led to the Guelph winner.
Jacob Cloutier (F, R, 5’9″, 160, Saginaw Spirit, 03/22/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Cloutier turned it on late and was flying in the third when the game was on the line. In a tight checking game, he didn’t get much going early but brought pace, hustle, and energy late in the third. Of all of the skaters in this one, Cloutier seemed to have the most energy down the stretch. He generated chances nearly every shift down the stretch and forced tired defenders to scramble to keep him off the scoresheet in the third.
Nikita Klepov (LW, L, 6’0″, 178, Saginaw Spirit, 06/27/2008, Michigan State)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Klepov is a young skilled winger who was dangerous all night. He created quality chances with speed, reach, and confidence on the puck. He ripped a quick wrister off the bar early, then later forced a turnover and went end-to-end for a shorthanded breakaway goal. He showed high skill on the finish, low stick side with poise and did well to protect the puck from the opposition defender. He took a huge hit along the wall early but responded well and came back with energy. Only real blemish in this one was an extended OT shift where tired legs couldn’t defend and led to the OT winner.
Photo credit; Dan Hickling/Hickling Images