Played on March 2, 2024
Dominic MacKenzie (D, R, 5’10”, 173, Halifax Mooseheads, 06/08/2006)
Game Grade:
Comments: MacKenzie is an undersized right shot defenseman with very good backwards acceleration and an “A-frame” inside edge skating base. He only earned 6:42 in ice time but he had a secondary assist on Halifax’s fifth goal and he finished +2. In the defensive zone he was strong along the walls and in front of his net. MacKenzie won loose puck battles by using his low center of gravity to get under his opponent’s center of gravity so they had very little leverage which allowed him to pop their sticks to take the puck. During offensive transition he showed the ability to make indirect passes into space and he made two backhand passes that caught the opposing forecheckers heading the wrong direction. Overall MacKenzie is still adjusting to life in the QMJHL after spending last year with the Weeks Major Midgets U18 in the NSU18MHL where he put up 1 goal and 24 assists in 34 games.
Owen Phillips (D, R, 5’11”, 191, Halifax Mooseheads, 01/12/2006)
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Phillips is a smooth skating below average sized right shot defenseman with an easy glide and very smooth pivot. He is the kind of defender who is always in motion without ever looking like he’s going to get tired. He finished the game +2 while earning 12:45 in total ice time. During offensive zone cycling he was constantly moving laterally along the blueline or diving into the high slot looking to catch the opposing high forwards sleeping in coverage and this unpredictability led to a grade “A” opportunity on an attempted wrap-around. His passes were accurate and when he did not have a passing lane he was content using an indirect off the wall to put pressure on the opposing defensemen. Defensively Phillips could get pushed off the puck or into the shooting lane by opposing forwards so there is no doubt that an offseason of weight training will benefit his overall impact on the game.
Logan Crosby (RW, R, 6’2″, 193, Halifax Mooseheads, 12/14/2005)
Game Grade: B
Comments: Crosby is a long lanky right shot forward who can positively impact the game from both wings. He showed a forward leaning skating posture with a bit of a heel kick but we feel as he gains core stability and lower body strength he will become more efficient. Offensively he showed a soft first touch and a quick stick of net front rebounds which is exactly how he scored his goal. The play originated with a broken face-off play and as Crosby rushed the net for a screen a rebound bounced to him that he quickly gathered with his left foot to kick up to his forehand. He then quick-sticked the rebound around the goalie into an open cage. The play showed athleticism and awareness. He had good strength and balance during wall battles and he did not get knocked off stride while attacking the net. Our biggest area for improvement would be Crosby’s puck management as we feel there were too many times he was content making hope passes rather than using his frame to protect the puck extending possession.
Liam Kilfoil (C, L, 5’10”, 173, Halifax Mooseheads, 03/21/2007)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Kilfoil is an undersized left shot center with quick game processing, quick lateral mobility and quick hands. He showed an athletic knee over toe skating posture with fluid strides that return on its flat edge. During power turns he pushed down through the arches of his foot making it easier for him to maintain his speed and gain speed when coming out of the turn by using powerful cross-unders. Offensively he is a very talented 2007 who looked to create 2 on 1s as often as possible but there were a few times when we feel he forced passes into coverage simply because he is so confident that he can make any play no matter what the situation. Defensively he tends to follow the pass and drift off his man. This is something that will need to be corrected as his game matures but right now his quickness and game processing can get him out of harry situations.
Lou Levesque (LW, L, 5’8″, 150, Halifax Mooseheads, 03/15/2006)
Game Grade: B
Comments: Levesque is an undersized left shot left wing with a powerfully compact athletic skating base that allows him to carry momentum through contact. In the third period he earned a secondary assist on the fourth goal of the game on a beautifully executed 3 on 1 after he used a soft strong side chip that caught the strong side defender flat footed in the neutral zone. As an undersized player with speed we feel he is too content attacking the offensive zone from outside of the dot-lanes. With his lateral quickness and go-cart like edges we would like to see him attack the middle lane and then dish wide to his linemates. His quick wide dribble and ability to dart would give opposing defenders an incredibly difficult time in tight spaces. Overall he has the skating ability to impact the game on both special teams units but he is going to have to spend serious time in the weight room this summer gaining strength and weight to maximize his low leverage and center of gravity.
Cade Moser (C, L, 5’10”, 185, Halifax Mooseheads, 01/01/2006)
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Moser is a thickly built undersized left shot center who showed fluid strides that ended with a toe snap and an athletic hips low chest high skating posture. Although he went pointless and had zero shots he was +3. We feel this was due to his details and ability to communicate with his defensemen when it came to low coverage, sorting out switches and backchecking with the purpose of limiting passing lanes while taking away time and space. Offensively Moser is still developing his passing poise and ability to play with deception.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images