February 24, 2024
General Game Notes: A close game between these two teams but it was a continuous and constant effort from the Rough Riders as to why they were able get the victory. A tied game in the third, half way through a power play goal then eventually an empty netter was how Cedar Rapids earned their points.
Colin Grable (D, R, 6’1″, 187, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 01/16/2003, Dartmouth)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Grable is a dominating presence on the ice. In all three zones, he looks to be physical. He does a good job at shutting down the other teams ability to exit their own zone by keeping his gaps tight and looking to play the body. He consistently forced chips into the neutral zone that were eventually picked up by his own team and turned into a rush for.
Joel Kjellberg (D, R, 6’0″, 190, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 04/29/2004, Arizona State)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Kjellberg offensive game revolves around making quick, simple yet effective plays with the puck. He can get the puck out of pressure swiftly and doesn’t seem to get stressed even when there’s little time on his hands or an oncoming forecheck. His puck skills looked good, and he can handle it well to give himself extra time showing that he will escape last second and keep the puck close. There’s a real calmness to his game and showed that he is never really chasing the play.
Landan Resendes (RW, R, 5’10”, 166, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 12/10/2005, Boston College)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Resendes is fluid on the ice with great posture, depth, and flexibility at the ankles, knees, and hips, giving him straight-line speed and two step quickness to burn. He spots teammates through layers, and has the deft touch to get them the puck when the time is right. He scans regularly, reloads to support his defensemen, tracks well through the neutral zone, and his work rate is consistent throughout the game.
Jack Larrigan (F, R, 5’10”, 180, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 04/09/2004, Notre Dame)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Larrigan was able to show tonight that his hands form the foundation of his offensive profile. He wants to have the puck on his stick and is not afraid to court contact to make sure he is the one driving for his line. He is decisive, manipulative, and dexterous as a handler. He’s got a good shot for someone who is constantly throwing pucks on net, his release is fast and he’s versatile in how he gets pucks off.
Erik Kald (D, R, 6’2″, 198, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 03/06/2006, Merrimack)
Game Grade: B
Comments: He used the threat of his big shot a couple of times tonight to freeze the defense and thread the puck inside the defensive box to a teammate in a shooting position. Kald remains more of a two way defenseman with ability to create offense with puck movement and getting his shots on net from the point. Plays a physical game defensively in his own end but gets caught chasing the body too often, looking for the big hit.
Amine Hajibi (LW, L, 6’2″, 165, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 05/05/2005, Northeastern)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Hajibi is strong on his skates and uses his size to protect the puck well. Drives the net hard and knows where he will shoot before he is even in a position to do so. Possesses a heavy and accurate release on his shot, which he likes to get off near the faceoff dots, if he can’t shoot from there, he will either dangle or bull his way through to the blue paint. While he is proactive and aware defensively, he still needs to work on consistency in his own end.
Riley Bassen (C, R, 5’11”, 166, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 04/26/2005, Michigan State)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Bassen showed that he supports the puck really well and creates takeaways frequently. His play away from the puck was good, as he shut down plays early and often in his own end. Offensively, he drove the middle of the ice and the net well, and could have drawn multiple penalties. He was consistently involved in the play and never shied away from physicality, especially on the forecheck.
Gavyn Thoreson (LW, L, 5’9″, 181, Waterloo Black Hawks, 11/30/2004, St. Cloud)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: He sees an opportunity to shoot, pass, or support, and he immediately acts. Thoreson can be a dual-threat attacker with a bit of skill beyond the offense. He layers deception through fakes sent to the opposition with his eyes and through his body language. He works the puck through the defensive triangle. He is smaller in stature but that does not stop him from attacking scoring and loose puck areas.
Reid Morich (C, R, 6’2″, 197, Waterloo Black Hawks, 04/11/2005, Minnesota State)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Morich’s game is defined by his physicality. He is an enthusiastic hitter, one who has put more than his fair share opponents into the boards. He will get under his opponents skin after the whistles. He’ll mix it up. His problem-solving ability through secondary and stressful defensive variables lets him make plays where others would struggle to retain possession. Needs to check discipline at times. No doubt is a presence for the Blackhawks.
Gavin Lindberg (C, R, 6’1″, 201, Waterloo Black Hawks, 04/20/2004, Colorado College)
Game Grade: B
Comments: Lindberg shows a hunger for loose pucks and can carry it himself into the slot. Not the biggest body, but doesn’t shy away from bigger bodies to create opportunities. Has a quick release which jumps off his stick. Excellent passer and showed this with multiple cross ice seams passes. Very determined and works hard for the time and space he finds. Needs to recognize transition chances starting in his own end and the neutral zone quicker, and always be a factor in defensive as well as offensive play.
Will Felicio (D, L, 5’10”, 161, Waterloo Black Hawks, 05/19/2006, Denver)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Felicio was able to show that he is a sound two way defenseman. He is a smooth skater, good passer and is a capable being the power play quarterback, but is also sound defensively, making the smart play often and shutting down the passing lanes. He is a smaller defenseman no doubt, but his timing to arrive when the puck meets his opponent is really good. He is able to shut down a lot of plays this way.
Tyler Miller (D, L, 6’0″, 178, Waterloo Black Hawks, 09/16/2004, Michigan Tech)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Miller is a legitimate dual-threat offensive driver from the blue line and is easily an above-average shooter from the point. He is someone that must be taken seriously as he quarterbacks the power play. He has a good one-timer, a deceptive wrist shot, and is good at creating shooting lanes for himself with fakes. His first option is to move the puck but when he has the time and space he does not hesitate, as he shouldn’t .
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Ben Marshall