Played on October 15, 2023
General Game Notes: A blowout win for Kitchener in this game as they dominated from start to finished. They exposed Windsor’s defensive zone coverage and created chances 5 on 5 all game. Neutral Zone focused on undrafted players who showed well in this viewing.
Adrian Misaljevic (C, L, 5’11”, 168, Kitchener Rangers, 01/01/2004)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: This undrafted, potential free agent, left shot forward is off to a hot start this season and is among the leading scorers a few weeks into the season. He started the game with a bang scoring less than a minute in with a quick wrister from the face-off dot. He used his pace and body positioning well to create an opening and finished with a quick shot. Good footwork on this one as he made the adjustment in full stride to open up and be ready for the quick pass and shot on net. He scored two in this viewing and set up another beauty late in the game and was buzzing all game both on the rush and on the cycle. The Windsor defenders gave him time and he used it to create a number of quality scoring chances. Not sure anyone in this game had more quality chances at the offensive net. He is undersized but playing with pace and confidence to his game right now. When his motor was going he was dangerous on the cycle with a quick give and go game and a willingness to get to the net.
Lucas Ellinas (LW, L, 6’2″, 198, Kitchener Rangers, 03/01/2006)
Game Grade: C
Comments: This lanky left winger didn’t get much going early offensively. He played limited minutes in the first half of the game but created some space in the second half of the game with a few quality rushes down the left side. He used his size and reach to protect the puck well on the net drive. He had a few quality shifts in the second period and this seemed to give him confidence. He had two assists in this game, both on similar plays where he delayed on the attack and found the appropriate trailer moving with pace. For a player with his size he does not overpower opposition players physically and will need to focus on this aspect of his game. Most of his pressure in the offensive zone came with his reach and ability to get his stick in lanes. He will also need to improve his overall pace and skating, he did not scare many defenders with his straight line speed or pace through the neutral zone. He does have decent length and reach, this allowed him to show well on the penalty kill this evening as his stick always seemed to be in the way for puck battles along the wall. Overall, a positive second half of the game for Ellinas where he showed good offensive instincts and setup two quality goals for the Rangers. This player is going to have to develop another gear in his skating this season if he is going to have any serious attention from teams at the next level.
AJ Spellacy (RW, R, 6’2″, 197, Windsor Spitfires, 02/24/2006)
Game Grade: B-
Comments: This lanky right shot forward showed a size and skating combo. He did not much going on the scoresheet in this game but skated well in transition through the neutral zone and was difficult to handle at times with his straight line speed. He also showed well with his puck pursuit. He tracked pucks in all three zones with his quick first steps and ability to get to top speed quickly. He used this speed and his length to close gaps on opposition players and won a number of puck battles. He surprised a number of the Rangers defenders with his closing speed and created a handful of turnovers. Spellacy is a versatile forward and played all 3 forward positions in this one. He showed a physical game with some quality plays along the boards and an excellent open ice hit. AJ played a limited role for Windsor in this viewing – mainly 5 on 5 and penalty kill situations. He really did not provide any sustained offensive pressure in viewing or the game grade would have been higher. His speed, size combo make him an interesting player to watch as the season progresses but he will need to focus on his scoring and finish around the net if he wants to see more looks on the powerplay or in key offensive situations.
Carson Woodall (D, L, 5’11”, 177, Windsor Spitfires, 05/26/2006)
Game Grade: C
Comments: A puck moving left shot defender who played a confident offensive game distributing pucks up ice. Woodall managed pucks in his zone, dictated the pace and used his partner well on the regroup. He played a heads up game with the puck, rarely overhandled and made a number of quality stretch passes up ice. A creative pass on Windsor’s first goal with a cross ice pass to his forward moving with pace all alone on the breakaway. Woodall ran the powerplay effectively and maintained possession in the offensive zone with good outlets and an ability to skate the puck or walk the line to adjust angles to create space. He made a handful of quality passes through seams to find teammates with good open looks for quick shots in high quality scoring areas. Defensively, he is not a big body on the back end and relied on his footwork to front opposition forwards with good body positioning. Like the rest of the Spitfires defenders, he really struggled in his zone with his finish and contain game. He will need to improve his compete in front of the net tying up sticks and clearing traffic in the good scoring areas. He spent too much time in his zone chasing pucks vs tying up and fronting opponents in the scoring lanes. Overall, some quality play on the offensive side of the puck for Woodall but he will need to step up and show improvement in his defensive game if he wants to raise is future game rating
Liam Greentree (RW, L, 6’2″, 207, Windsor Spitfires, 01/01/2006)
Game Grade: B-
Comments: A lanky left shot forward who showed high skill coming off either wing and was effective at creating offense on many shifts. He played both wings effectively but seemed to generate more of his quality chances off the right side. He skates well for a big player and had a handful of quality chances in this viewing. He showed smooth hands, a nice deke and quick step to get a quality chance in the first period. He had a handful of quality chances in close and a breakaway chance as well. He rang another one off the bar and showed a heavy shot when he had time on powerplay situations. He displayed nice touch along the wall with a few quick passes to spring his linemates in transition. Greentree was effective on the powerplay and made a few smart back door feeds to teammates with open looks. Defensively, this game was a struggle for Greentree. An 11-2 blowout on the scoresheet and Greentree was minus 6. He struggled getting into shooting lanes and did not manage the gap with offensive defenders allowing them to make plays and generate offense from their spots on the blueline. Greentree showed good hands and was effective at handling pucks along the walls in his zone. No panic with the puck along the walls during the pinch, he was able to start the play efficiently up ice. Greentree’s package of size and speed with some offensive IQ make him a prospect to watch. His team was terrible today in their own zone and none of the Windsor draft eligibles looked good on the defensive side of the puck. This aspect of his game will need to improve.
Anthony Cristoforo (D, R, 5’11”, 191, Windsor Spitfires, 02/23/2006)
Game Grade: C+
Comments: A high skilled offensive right shot defender who handled pucks well and made a number of quality breakouts for Windsor today. He is a smooth skater and with offensive potential, he manages pucks and dictates the pace of play with the puck, shows good puck control and supports his defensive partners effectively on the regroup. Christoforo is confident in his offensive game and not afraid to get forward. He can jump forward to support the attack as a secondary option and can lead the rush if he gets time and space to carry it. He was always looking to jump forward in this one. He showed as a potential B to B+ offensive player in this game with his play with the puck and his ability to control on the powerplay. Defensively, it was another story today. Windsor lost 11-2 and Anthony struggled in his zone. Most of the issues started off the rush where he gave up the defensive zone too easily. He was on for extended periods of pressure in his zone and could have done better with his finish and contain game along the walls. He lacked defensive intensity and gave up too much time and space in his zone on the cycle. If he can clean up this area of his game he has the potential to develop into a skating two way defender.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Paul O’Hagan