Game played on 1/25/2025.
General Game Notes: This high scoring game needed overtime to find a winner where the Huskies were able to battle back from being down most of the game. It was not until about five minutes left in the game that they were able to tie it up showing somewhat of a little comeback to win in overtime.
Justin Poirier (RW, R, 5’7″, 186, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 09/04/2006)
Grade: A-
Comments: Poirer scored two goals on the night one of them coming in the in the third period on the power play. The smaller agile forward really does know how to find the back of the net. While at the blue line, Poirier noticed the traffic at the net front and fired a well thought out wrist shot to the side the goalie was not looking. This deception from long range made it difficult for the goalie to track. Poirier was able to show tonight that he score multiple different ways, which is why he has almost forty on the season. His other goal he scored a jamming home a lose puck at the top of the crease. He does not let his size or how big the defenders are dictate whether or not he is going to be first on a loose puck near the net. He knows when to jump on opportunities when they present themselves.
Alexis Michaud (RW, R, 6’0″, 185, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 01/26/2006)
Grade: A-
Comments: Michaud is a big forward who has a solid skating ability and showed he can create entries and breakouts on his own. Picked up a nice assist going end to end and providing a back door easy tap in goal for his teammate. One talented aspect of his game is how hard he is to knock off the puck. Even when he does take contact, he somehow is able to keep the puck close and in a spot where he is able to handle it quickly and make a decision at top speed. Defensively, he regularly scans the zone for incoming opponents, and his stick always covers up any open spaces he cannot reach physically. Those spaces include passing and shooting lanes left unrestricted for attackers desiring to pass or shoot. He has a wider perimeter given his size and uses this type of expansion to defend in his own end with an active stick.
Shawn Pearson (LW, L, 5’10”, 175, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 01/30/2005)
Grade: B-
Comments: Pearson picked up a nice goal off the back of his teammates end to end rush and a mis bobbled puck that ended up right at his blade. Pearson followed a rush closely when the puck was loose in the slot and he took advantage one timing it in the back of the net. Defensively, he will occasionally jump in to pressure an attacker when he has to. But most of the time, he will never chase a puck that has no chance of contacting. It is this type of mentality though in his own end that causes circles and confusion of to who he has. He does not aggressively attack actively pointing out who his man is.
Alexis Bernier (D, R, 6’1″, 190, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 06/21/2006)
Grade: B-
Comments: Bernier is an offensive defenseman who does a good job at controlling traffic with the puck while also attacking up ice. In a specific play where you could see his offensive instincts kick in, we see him pinch down the right wing and put a nice tight angle shot together at the net. Most forwards would struggle to even get this on net but he showed that he has the hands that are usually reserved for a skilled forward. He does not panic at the blue line under pressure and showed this when he received the puck on the point froze the forward and pulled a nice move around him to get to the face off circles and release a hard shot for an attempt at the net.
Alex Carr (D, R, 6’0″, 194, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 03/30/2004, New Hampshire)
Grade: B
Comments: In a specific play where Carr showed his transition play. Carr receives the puck in the neutral zone and attacks the ice with puck and great speed. Carr tries to pull a move but is checked hard and stops the play dead when he could have used the wall to keep the puck moving. The impressive part of the play here is how well he deals with speed and the checking power. He uses his great foot speed to close the gap quickly between the attacker and is often able to lower the boom on the forwards. An underrated part of his game is how clean he hits and plays. He does a good job at squaring up, finishing his check, and moving on to the next play.
Antoine St-Laurent (D, L, 5’10”, 175, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 11/30/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Whilst defending the zone, St.Laurent does a good job at showing how he forces guys out to the perimeter almost every time, and able to throw hits against the boards and when defending the net front where he does not give up. Offensively, he plays a simple yet effective game spearheaded by his agile skating, accurate wrist shot and setting up in positions where his teammates can find him. He was able to show tonight that he is a reliable player who looks to make the right play the first time. His play would excel jumping into the rush more often.
Bill Zonnon (RW, L, 6’2″, 185, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 10/03/2006)
Grade: A-
Comments: Every highlight there was, Zonnon seemed to be in on the play somehow. With three assists on the night, Zonnon was able to show a lot of different aspects of his game. He can move fluently as big as he is, and snaps the puck around with crisp tape to tape passes. He has a great two way mentality in his game where he battles in his own end. He hides his stick range perfectly, stick checks hard when he gets into his range and able to lay a punishing hits when they present themselves. His shot has a really good snap to it and is quite accurate . His slap shot could use some work I think he needs some confidence in it, he would much rather wrist shot than wind up a slap shot.
Lars Steiner (RW, R, 5’9″, 176, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 11/12/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Steiner scored a nice goal on the power play getting the puck in the slot and without hesitation, picked a corner opposite side of where he was sliding. The deception he was able to give while sliding one way and shooting the other opened the corner for him to pick an easy spot. An interesting aspect to his game is how calmly he approaches defense. He is never finding himself making extra disproportionate moves that tire him out, this could also because he is saving is energy for the offensive zone. He bears the fantastic asset of only making the play he has to make, he is an offensive player so this does not mean he does not try to make plays but he does a good job at assessing the higher risk ones.
Antonin Verreault (LW, L, 5’8″, 170, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 07/28/2004)
Grade: A-
Comments: Verreault scored two goals tonight, one tying the game late in the third, the other ending the game in overtime. Both of the goals, we were able to witness to the creativity and offensive skills that he has. Verreault can skate and does a good job at getting low on his edges making him play bigger than he is. In the over time goal, he dipped his shoulder and went cross crease to beat the goalie far side. He is at his best when he is using his impressively quick feet which helps him change direction and fluid hips to be deceptive. He is also shows impressive leg strength to be able to stay on his feet when he makes hits. Where he can improve is using the same amount of energy in his own zone as he does in the offensive zone, too many lazy stick checks when looking to create a turnover.
Ty Higgins (D, R, 6’0″, 190, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 09/26/2004, Bowling Green)
Grade: B
Comments: Higgins is an offensive defenseman who was able to show tonight that he can drive offense and you also see that in his transitional game. He would receive the puck and instantly turn north and look to get the puck up the ice. He can adapt on the fly to how fore-checkers approach and can be very composed in his own zone and is comfortable handling the puck in his own zone. He does a good job at quarterbacking the power play and working the blue line, showing off his mobility laterly. He can get his hips around enough to throw a opposing blocker off his tracks.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images