Played on Nov 26, 2025
Game Played in Dort Financial Center
Jimmy Lombardi (C, L, 6’0″, 187, Flint Firebirds, 02/16/2007, Michigan)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Lombardi had a strong showing, highlighted by his two-goal performance that played a key role in driving the offense. He’s a quick, energetic forward who plays with pace and isn’t afraid to attack defenders head-on. His first step allows him to create separation, and he used that speed effectively to jump on loose pucks and generate scoring chances. Both goals showcased his ability to get open in dangerous areas and release the puck quickly with accuracy and confidence – his ability to finish his chances is evident, and his hunt for loose pucks stood out, especially for a skilled, two-way centerman. He consistently arrived first in contested areas, won races, and turned those retrievals into quality opportunities, showing how valuable his compete level is to his overall game.
Luka Graziano (D, R, 5’9″, 159, Flint Firebirds, 10/24/2007, Harvard)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Graziano may not have ideal size, but he’s feisty and highly competitive, bringing energy to every shift. He isn’t afraid to play physically, stepping up along the walls to separate opponents from the puck with well-timed body checks. With the puck, he’s a reliable mover-quickly advancing play with clean, tape-to-tape passes that help his forwards transition up ice and gain controlled entries. His skating is another strength; he closes gaps effectively, defends with good mobility, and can jump into the rush offensively when the moment is right.
Ihnat Pazii (C, L, 5’9″, 161, Flint Firebirds, 12/04/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Pazii consistently put himself in scoring positions by driving toward the middle of the ice. With or without the puck, he found his way into dangerous areas where he could release quick, accurate shots. One strong example came in the first period: off a rush, he slipped into the slot, took a pass in stride, juked a defender, and fired a shot that forced a difficult save. The play showcased both his skill set and his willingness to attack high-danger areas to generate offense.
Alex Kostov (RW, R, 6’3″, 181, Flint Firebirds, 06/03/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Kostov is a big, power-forward type who blends skill with grit. He wins a high percentage of puck battles thanks to his size and strength, and he understands his game well-playing within structure, minimizing turnovers, and staying connected with his linemates. He brings a physical edge along the walls, leaning on opponents and wearing them down over the course of a game. Offensively, he drives the middle of the ice and has a heavy shot. His assist came from doing exactly that-cutting into the slot, putting a hard shot on net, and creating a rebound that his teammate buried.
Nathan Aspinall (LW, L, 6’6″, 206, Flint Firebirds, 03/30/2006)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Aspinall was by far the best player on the ice. He stood out in countless ways-most notably by recording two goals and two assists, directly contributing and heavily impacting the game. He’s a big-bodied player who plays at pace and is extremely difficult to defend against. Both of his goals came off one-on-one situations where he challenged his opponent, created his own space, and ripped quick-release, hard, accurate shots. His versatility was evident as he consistently won battles along the walls, using his large frame to shield off defenders and extend plays in the offensive zone. He also showed a nice set of hands, displaying real confidence by pushing pucks past opponents, retrieving them, and taking the puck hard to the net. On top of all that, he drove play with authority, making smart decisions in transition and constantly putting pressure on the opposition whenever he was on the ice.
Xavier Tessier (C, L, 6’0″, 201, Flint Firebirds, 05/09/2008)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Tessier brought a steady, reliable presence to his game, showing consistency and intelligence in all three zones. He played with good pace and supported the puck well, often putting himself in the right spot to help extend plays or relieve pressure. His skating kept him involved throughout the night, allowing him to close gaps quickly on the forecheck and track back responsibly when possession changed. Away from the puck, he competed hard, winning his share of battles along the walls and staying fully engaged in the defensive zone. While he wasn’t overly flashy, his detail-oriented game and ability to maintain possession made him a dependable and effective piece of his line’s success.
Urban Podrekar (D, L, 5’11”, 204, Flint Firebirds, 02/14/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Podrekar plays with noticeable confidence in all three zones, showing poise in nearly every decision he makes. Offensively, he displayed excellent awareness along the walls, timing his pinches perfectly to keep plays alive. He protected the puck well, using spins and body positioning to maintain possession and create lanes. From the blue line, he consistently funneled pucks to the net-whether through simple, accurate wristers or smart pump fakes to open space. Defensively, he held a strong gap, standing his ground and preventing opponents from gaining easy entries. He also moved the puck efficiently in transition, delivering clean first passes that supported a north-south style and hit his teammates in stride.
Levi Harper (D, R, 5’11”, 172, Saginaw Spirit, 10/03/2008, Minnesota)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Harper is a right-shot defender who loves to jump into the rush and act as the extra attacker, especially in transition. He picks his spots well, reading the play and joining when he has time and space, which often leads to quick-release shots on net. On the power play he was effective as the right-hand option, moving pucks crisply and directing shots toward the goal through traffic. He also showed off a strong one-timer that he was able to use multiple times throughout the game. His offensive instincts carry over to his defensive play – he’s more comfortable with the puck on his stick than without it. While there are still holes in his defensive game and room for improvement, his upside is significant, and he projects as a solid two-way defenseman with growth ahead.
Joshua Glavin (D, L, 6’2″, 204, Saginaw Spirit, 09/24/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Glavin is a big, steady defender who takes pride in his play in the defensive zone. He uses his size effectively to win battles, block shots, and maintain strong positioning. While he isn’t known for his offensive game, he still chipped in with two assists and jumped down low a few times to create chances. Even with those moments, his identity remains that of a defense-first blueliner who focuses on reliability and structure before offense.
Carson Harmer (C, L, 5’10”, 193, Saginaw Spirit, 01/13/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Harmer scored a beautiful goal in the first period by being in the right place at the right time and capitalizing on a turnover in the slot. He picked up the loose puck, kept his head up, and in stride ripped a laser of a shot off the post and in, beating the goaltender cleanly. It was a goal-scorer’s finish, and it wasn’t the only dangerous look he generated. Throughout the game he consistently found soft spots in the slot, creating multiple grade-A chances with quick-release shots that added to his overall offensive impact.
Egor Barabanov (LW, L, 6’0″, 173, Saginaw Spirit, 05/01/2006, Penn State)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Barbanov played with noticeable pace and energy, consistently inserting himself into the action. He’s a smooth skater who covers ice efficiently, allowing him to pressure opponents quickly and stay involved on both sides of the puck. With possession, he showed confidence carrying the puck through the neutral zone, using his edges and small-area skill to navigate traffic and create controlled entries. He wasn’t afraid to cut inside or challenge defenders when he saw an opening. This was evident as he consistently got himself into scoring areas and generated quality looks on net, showing both assertiveness and a willingness to attack dangerous ice.
Jacob Cloutier (RW, R, 5’10”, 177, Saginaw Spirit, 03/22/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Cloutier consistently drove to the net and found soft areas where he could get his stick on pucks. He attacked the crease with purpose, especially on the power play, where he was a frequent back-door option. He also showed the ability to make plays in tight spaces and played with noticeable speed, using it effectively in rush situations to create offense.
Miroslav Satan (C, L, 6’7″, 202, Saginaw Spirit, 03/02/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Satan is a towering forward whose presence is felt every time he steps on the ice. His size and long reach allow him to get into the slot and get his stick on pucks, creating several in-tight opportunities. Even though he wasn’t able to finish on those chances, the fact that he generated them was encouraging. He also won battles along the walls and showed some underrated playmaking with a few clever passes. While his skating still needs refinement, his power-forward style offers plenty of upside as he continues to develop.
Dimian Zhilkin (RW, R, 5’10”, 183, Saginaw Spirit, 10/21/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Zhilkin has a knack for beating defenders in one-on-one situations. His speed, deception, and soft hands allow him to slip around coverage and get into dangerous scoring areas. He’s especially threatening off the rush, where he reads developing plays well and isn’t afraid to cheat offensively to create odd-man chances going the other way. With the puck, he’s unpredictable-he can pass or shoot-which makes him difficult for defenders and goaltenders to read and leads to plenty of grade-A opportunities. His goal came from going to the net, moving the puck wide, then driving through the middle to bury a rebound. It was a strong example of his hockey sense and his willingness to battle in the hard areas, rather than relying only on perimeter skill.
Nicholas Sima (C, R, 6’3″, 206, Saginaw Spirit, 03/31/2005, Michigan)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Sima is a big, power-forward style player who plays a straightforward, hard-nosed game. Defensively, he works hard to track pucks back into his own zone, staying engaged with his feet moving and an active stick. He isn’t shy about hacking and whacking and plays with a noticeable edge, but it all reflects his determination and grit. Offensively, he’s focused on attacking the net. Whether he has the puck or not, he finds ways to make plays and drive into scoring areas. Off the rush, he did an effective job pulling defenders toward him as a decoy, creating space for his linemates before planting himself at the crease for second-chance opportunities.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images