Played on Dec 20, 2025
Game Played in Meridian Centre
General Game Notes: A hard-hitting, back and forth game with lots of drama at the end. Sarnia tied the game with 6 seconds left in the third to send the game to overtime but Niagara scored early in OT to win it.
Vladislav Ermolenko (G, L, 6’0″, 161, Niagara Icedogs, 12/16/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Vladislav is a competitive and athletic goalie. He tracks the puck well and makes the first save most of the time. He only gave up one goal where he was beat cleanly, the other two were a second rebound and a backdoor tap-in play. He did give up some big rebounds and was not able to steer pucks with his stick enough. He came out of his net to play pucks and did so confidently. He can work to make sure these are hard and flat passes as one of them he sauced over his defenseman’s stick, turning it over. Vladislav challenges pucks and plays with confidence. If he can work to control his rebounds better and make sure his feet are set at the time of the shot then he will be even more effective.
Callum Cheynowski (D, L, 6’0″, 196, Niagara Icedogs, 08/01/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Callum quietly goes about his job, playing solid defense and moving the puck with simplicity. He made smart dumps into the zone to keep the other team hemmed in. He also did well on the penalty-kill blocking shots and being effective in front of the net. He is a calm and steady defender. Callum did have one costly mistake where he over-skated on the backcheck and his man received the puck and scored on the zone entry.
Kevin He (LW, L, 5’11”, 188, Niagara Icedogs, 04/30/2006)
Game Rating
B-
Kevin’s skills are centered around his pace and physicality, which enable him to maintain possession of the puck in high-pressure situations. He is effective at taking control of the puck and rapidly changing direction, creating opportunities for himself or teammates. His willingness to engage in physical play also allows him to secure pucks through sheer determination. One notable instance was a powerful shot on net during a powerplay, where he capitalized on a rebound quickly released by his teammate.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kevin used his good speed and quick feet to be a threat with the puck. He is able to make quick cutbacks and escape moves that allow him to possess the puck and shake off opponents. He used cutbacks in both zone entry and offensive zone situations. Although his skating and footwork made him stand out he did not move the puck very well in this game. He had a lot of turnovers on the powerplay and some 5v5 as well. If he wants to have success at the next level he will need to manage the puck better and more consistently. He did made one very nice chip into space to create a breakaway for his teammate off of a turnover up high in the defensive zone but he did not have many other notable plays.
Ethan Czata (C, L, 6’2″, 183, Niagara Icedogs, 05/29/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Ethan Czata demonstrated a well-rounded skill set as a center for Niagara. He excels at both physical play and puck possession, playing a dynamic power forward role that allows him to make an impact in multiple ways. Czata effectively uses his forechecking ability to create scoring chances, and then quickly transitions into a skilled playmaker. His reading of the game is solid, enabling him to find open teammates with accurate passes.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ethan is a tough and speedy center who made an impact in all situations for his team. He always finished his checks and had some particularly hard hits on the forecheck. He has a high compete level that was evident in all areas of the ice and particularly on the penalty-kill. He pressured the opponent hard and showed a good stick in-zone to block passing lanes and create turnovers. Ethan did not create a lot of offense in this game but he made a big impact defensively and showed his toughness and grit.
Hayden Reid (C, L, 5’11”, 183, Niagara Icedogs, 08/23/2006, Clarkson)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Hayden makes a lot of good things happen on the ice, some are obvious but others are much more subtle plays. He constantly supports the puck and is able to make short passes and execute small details well. He is tough and can win battles and when his teammates are battling for pucks he finds open areas to support. If you focus on him for a while shift you can really appreciate all of the little things he does over the course of a shift to positively impact the game. Hayden moved the puck well, making good breakout passes and executing some bump and drive plays on zone entries. He also showed he has a hard shot as he rang one off of the post on a zone entry, beating the goalie cleanly.
Riley Patterson (C, R, 6’0″, 192, Niagara Icedogs, 03/22/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Riley Patterson displayed a well-rounded skill set during his performance. As a key player in the powerplay unit, he excelled at initiating breakouts and distributing the puck effectively from the top of the 1-3-1 system. His passing ability was notable, allowing him to facilitate scoring opportunities for his teammates. Additionally, Riley showcased a strong shot from the point, demonstrating his capabilities beyond just playmaking. He also demonstrated excellent skating abilities, generating significant power and speed both laterally and straight-line, which enabled him to be an effective forechecker on penalty kills.
1 Viewing
Comments: Riley had 8 shots on net and scored 2 goals in the overtime win over Sarnia. He skates well, can handle the puck smoothly, and makes smart passes. He showed his strong-puck handling in his ability to receive the puck on his backhand and easily transfer it to his forehand and shoot quickly. Although he is a center, he quarterbacks the powerplay for his team because of his ability to distribute the puck. His first goal came off of a nice self-chip in the neutral zone where he went around the defender creating a 2v1. He then fired a shot high over the goalie. He then scored the game-winning 3v3 overtime goal on another 2v1 where he again beat the goalie cleanly with a shot. Although he made a lot of good things happen in this game he also had a very negative plays that costed his team. He took a cross-checking penalty in the offensive zone at the end of the third period which sent Sarnia to the powerplay and allowed them to score on a 4v6. He also missed an open net at the very beginning of OT but quickly made up for it later that shift with a goal.
Ryan Roobroeck (C, L, 6’3″, 216, Niagara Icedogs, 09/25/2007)
Game Rating
A
Ryan is a well-rounded winger with a diverse skill set that allows him to excel in various situations. He consistently creates scoring opportunities through his shooting and passing ability. On the powerplay, Ryan’s speed and agility enable him to effectively roll up high into the zone, making him a threat from multiple angles. His physical presence also plays a significant role in winning pucks and battling for position against opponents. While he may not be an elite shooter or passer, Ryan’s overall skillset makes him a valuable asset to his team. He consistently creates chances through his low shots, passes, and dekes, making him a reliable contributor.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ryan once again showed his ability to impact the game at both ends. He truly is a 200-foot player who can create offense but also show up defensively every shift. He uses his good size to win battles and takes care of his job in the defensive zone, getting into shooting lanes and winning board battles. He wins battles on the forecheck too and then had the skill and awareness to make smart pass outs to his teammates. When the puck transitions back towards his defensive zone he backchecks hard and picks up trailers. He was a +3 in this game and scored 1 goal. He scored the goal by catching a puck in the middle of the ice and quickly getting it into a shooting position and snapping it past the goalie with a hard, quick-release shot. On the powerplay he curled up high towards the blue line and was the main shooter on the unit. He would sometimes bump the puck low but anytime he had a shooting lane he took it. He did not create a lot with his shots as many of them missed the net and did not create rebounds or tip opportunities for his teammates. He is a very complete player and showed his potential to make a big impact at the next level.
Sean Doherty (C, R, 6’0″, 180, Niagara Icedogs, 03/23/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Sean had some notable plays with the puck and created some good scoring chances in this game. He was able to get 4 shots on net and scored a goal. His goal came off of a knee-down one-timer in the slot. He also created a grade A scoring chance with a great pass across the slot to a teammate. On the powerplay he plays on the side of the net and he showed a good ability to receive the puck on the outside and pull it underneath and tuck it in towards the goal. Sean also had some strong forechecks where he pressured hard and disrupted the play.
Mitchell Young (D, L, 6’1″, 184, Sarnia Sting, 04/29/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Mitch quarterbacked the play for his team and showed a lot of offensive ability. He moved along the offensive blue line well and ran the powerplay from there, attempting many shots and distributing the puck well. He is shifty with the puck and create lanes. His shot at the end of the 3rd period on the 6v4 led to a rebound that was scored by his teammate to send the game to OT. On the defensive side he was also impressive, playing the body and stopping top players like Roobroeck from creating chances on the rush. He was also very aware in front of his own net, getting up under sticks to prevent passes from being received.
Ben Pickell (LW, L, 5’10”, 187, Sarnia Sting, 07/20/2005, Robert Morris)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Ben tallied two assists against Niagara by making smart, heads-up passes in the offensive zone. His first assist came off of a zone entry where he delayed and made a pass to the far-side trailer. His second assist came off of a play off of the end-wall where he was able to pull the puck off of the wall and then feed a pass through two defenders to his teammate on the dot. He showed a high level of awareness with the puck and made good passes that resulted in goals for his team.
Jack Van Volsen (C, L, 6’2″, 192, Sarnia Sting, 01/12/2006)
Game Rating
B-
This player’s skill set is centered around his ability to create scoring opportunities through positioning and passing. He excels at putting himself in good positions on the ice, particularly with his one-timer, which he uses effectively as an offensive threat. His strong footwork allows him to create space and make plays on the rush. While he tends to be less noticeable on defense, his ability to quickly regain momentum and create scoring chances makes up for it. His passing skills are also noteworthy, particularly in special teams situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Jack had an inconsistent game as far as his puck movement but he did contribute an important goal at the end of the third to send his team to overtime. He was ready in front of the net and shot home the rebound with just 6 seconds left. He also had some nice headman passes earlier in the game that led to odd-man rushes for his team. Where he struggled most with puck movement was on the powerplay where he turned it over in-zone and on zone entries a few times. Jack had a point-blank scoring chance at the net front on the powerplay but couldn’t put it away.
Alessandro Di Iorio (C, R, 6’0″, 193, Sarnia Sting, 03/17/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Alessandro used his strong puck-handling and edges to maneuver his way through opponents. He can navigate through areas of traffic with his elite skating and skill. He showed this on multiple plays where he carried the puck through the neutral zone, going around opponents with ease. He pulled the puck through a defender’s legs once and then went right around them and deked the goalie. He also was solid on the penalty-kill where he was able to get clears and effectively shut down the opponent’s lanes. Alessandro did make one very costly mistake in overtime where he change at a bad time, leaving his teammate with a 2v1 that resulted in the game-winning goal for Niagara. He showed a lot of potential in this game but did not produce a point, only got one shot on net, and was part of the reason for the goal against that lost the game for his team so his ranking is lower than the potential he showed.
Ryan Brown (LW, L, 5’11”, 177, London Knights, 10/26/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Ryan Brown brings a strong two-way game to the table, making an impact on both offense and defense. He excels at finding low seams in the offensive zone, allowing him to create scoring opportunities for his team. His straight-line speed is also utilized effectively during penalty kills, where he disrupts opponents with his physicality. In addition to his skillset, Brown demonstrates adaptability by playing various roles on the ice. However, he struggles with maintaining a composed demeanor, as evidenced by two instances of unsportsmanlike behavior and subsequent penalties. To reach his full potential, Brown will need to work on keeping his emotions in check and minimizing his involvement in altercations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ryan’s 200-foot game showed in this game as he defended with urgency and also created a lot of offense for his team. He scored a goal on a quick transition play where he entered the zone and cleanly beat the goalie far-side high with his shot. He also recorded an assist on a play where he faked a shot to get the goalie to freeze and then passed the puck to the backdoor for an easy tap-in goal. He also factored into the game-tying goal at the end of the third period that sent his team to OT. He worked hard on the backcheck and in all defensive situations in order to win the puck back. Ryan also showed his skill and ability to handle pucks in-tight spaces. He made a nice cutback move and then pulled the puck around the defender and then back through him before walking right around him and towards the net. At the end of the game he rang a shot off of the post, nearly tying it before his teammate eventually did. He’s effective in all situations for his team and is a real offensive threat.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images