Played on Apr 8, 2025
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
Game Played in Centre Marcel Dionne
General Game Notes: The Halifax Mooseheads pulled off a stunning upset, silencing the QMJHL by shutting out the defending Gilles Courteau Trophy champions, the Drummondville Voltigeurs, with a two to zero road victory in a decisive Game Seven. A defensive stand throughout the game showed that the Mooseheads have a chance to go a bit of a distance if they want to.
Nathan Baril (C, L, 5’8″, 175, Drummondville Voltigeurs, 02/16/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Baril is a fantastic skater, with strong burst, edge work, and long speed, and he uses that speed to make an impact on offense and defense. Unfortunately for him, though, he lacks high end puck skills and plus size, severely limiting his ability to hold on to the puck for an extended period of time. His speed and work ethic can only carry him so far, and sometimes he is the most noticeable player on the ice, just not tonight. He is not overly physical, but he really does not have to be. He wins enough battles for pucks by using his smarts and puck handling abilities. The problem in his game tonight was after he won the puck, he needed to hold on to it.
Teo Besnier (D, R, 5’9″, 173, Drummondville Voltigeurs, 08/19/2005)
Game Rating
B
Besnier’s game showcased his ability to bring an edge to his defensive play, particularly against teams with speedy attackers. His aggressive style allows him to effectively shut down rushes and disrupt zone entries when timing is on his side. However, mobility could be improved in certain situations, as he tends to struggle with recovery after initial contact. On defense, Besnier demonstrated a willingness to stand in lanes and block shots, often finding himself in position to make plays on the attacker.
1 Viewing
Comments: Besnier is solid two way defenseman. He is undersized, standing less than six feet tall, but he is an adept puck mover and a big asset in transition. He can make stretch passes, help with zone entries, and collect assists with his puck movement. He is not a major offensive producer, and does not have the elite playmaking abilities or strong shot that is necessary for him to be a true offensive dynamo, but he is strong enough as a skater and with the puck on his stick to have a role as a puck mover. His defense needs some work and due to his limited size and physical traits he struggled to make a hugely positive impact in his own end. He seems like he definitely belongs on the ice when his team gets possession of the puck in his own end but seems like he should be off of the ice in the minutes that preceded that.
Jacob Steinman (G, L, 6’0″, 187, Halifax Mooseheads, 05/23/2004, Bowling Green)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Steinman with the shutout tonight was player of the game and the biggest reason as to why his team won the game tonight. Stopping thirty eight of thirty eight shots not only was an impressive performance but a lot of these chances were grade A chances that he had to bail his team out. Steinman was able to show his athleticism getting lateral quickly and attacking shooters closing in on the slot. He was able to control the flow of play as well making stops when his team was hemmed in and playing the puck when the other team did not have solid possession. His mental aspect of the night must have been on par because he looked like he stayed tuned in for sixty minutes.
Brady Schultz (D, L, 5’11”, 194, Halifax Mooseheads, 07/23/2004, Quinnipiac)
Game Rating
B+
The player’s defensive skills have shown improvement, as he is now able to position himself effectively in front of the net, using both his stick and body to disrupt passing and shooting lanes. Offensively, there are areas for growth as he tends to wait for passes instead of taking the initiative, which can lead to a lack of acceleration and forced safe plays. This results in losing possession. On the kill, he occasionally takes unnecessary risks, such as attempting a play while icing, which ultimately leads to a turnover.
1 Viewing
Comments: Schultz was able to show that he has got a decent frame but not ideal strength, he is a safe defender who does not panic and provides stability when he he is on the ice. He is decent in transition but he is not exactly a strong hold in his own end. Where his game could go to the next level is him using his aggressiveness to close on players quicker in his own end. Too often he is letting them play around at the perimeter giving them time and space to make the next play.
Carlos Handel (D, R, 6’1″, 168, Halifax Mooseheads, 03/31/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Handel scored a bit of a lucky goal with a shot from the point that was able to pinball off a couple guys and end in the back of the net. Shooters need to shoot and in the playoffs any way of getting the puck to the net is a good shot and that is exactly what Handel did. Even with the pressure coming out at him trying to block the shot, he was able to get it around the first layer and hope for the best. Handel, not know completely for his offense was able to help his team and produce, a huge reason as to why his team was able to come away with a series win. Where he could use some critique is his transition game, too many times he wanted to skate the puck rather than pass it up the ice when the player was there. Sometimes, the five foot pass is more effective than the breakaway pass attempt up the middle.
Liam Kilfoil (C, L, 5’11”, 180, Halifax Mooseheads, 03/21/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Kilfoil has some work to do. He plays hard and at times showed the skill to possess the puck for extended period of time. His issue, though, is his play away from the puck. He showed tonight on multiple occasions that he lacks as a back checker, seems disinterested in helping his team defend or chase down opposing rushers, and when he is pinned in his own zone he rarely has anything positive to provide his defenseman, lacking the instincts, drive, or physicality to shut down opposing chances. Once he can figure some of his game out in his own end, he can become a more complete player.
Amelio Santini (RW, L, 5’8″, 162, Halifax Mooseheads, 02/10/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Where Santini can set himself a part from his peers is in his quickness. He boasts great skating ability with plus end to end speed and the ability to accelerate and decelerate in order to create space with the puck. This speed allows him to be an asset as a forechecker and in transition, and he showed a willingness to play more of a power game even despite his elite speed and size. He is young right now and needs to get his head up more often to attack the right space, too often he could get the puck with his head down ready to attack up ice, and get smothered by the closing defenseman.
Shawn Carrier (LW, L, 5’10”, 185, Halifax Mooseheads, 03/14/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Carrier was able to show tonight that he is a fast, skilled skater with the straight line speed to be an asset in transition and as a back checker. Even though he is not the biggest player on the ice, he is not shy to play a physical game, and he can assert himself in front of the net and in the corners, able to dig for pucks and create rebound chances. He excels off the rush where he can use his quick steps to create space with speed but he also has a two way game about him and given his speed and ability to play decent defense, he can log some crucial minutes, especially in a game where they were able to keep the puck out of the net and defend for their goalie.
Lincoln Waugh (D, L, 5’10”, 181, Halifax Mooseheads, 04/17/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Waugh has value in transition but not really anywhere else. He is undersized, but being undersized is what gives him the above average speed he needs to move the puck. Waugh does not have incredible puck skills, but he is safe with the puck on his stick and was not a turnover machine. He can be an asset with zone entries and zone exits, and is judicious about joining the rush. His defensive zone positional awareness needs work, and h is a neutral contributor defensively because he is a minus along the boards and fighting for pucks but a plus with the puck on his stick exiting the zone, and offensively he is a slight plus thanks to his puck moving.
Quinn Kennedy (C, L, 5’10”, 171, Halifax Mooseheads, 02/06/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Kennedy was able to show tonight that he is a versatile player with the ability to beat slower footed defenseman on the rush. As a player, where he went from having a solid night to a great night was how he was able to show that is a responsible defensive player who contributes intelligence and decent speed to his teams defensive side. He is not a player with the most skill on the ice so he is not a huge boon on the power play, but he is a chippy player with good versatility and the ability to mesh with many different teammates. Overall there is a lot to his game and considering the stakes in tonight’s match, he played a solid conservative game and was not able to unleash is full offensive value.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images