USHL: Chicago (3) at Sioux Falls (4).
Jack Parsons (G, L, 6’3″, 194, Chicago Steel, 01/15/2006, Providence)
Grade: A-
Comments: Chicago: Jack Parsons (2006) The Steel netminder is a very effective first save goaltender and tracks pucks well to help control second chance opportunities. Using an upright stance and feet underneath him are keys to his success. Once he loses his fundamental base his chest and hands start to fall forward and be less static and controlled creating holes and difficulties. The Providence college commit is very comfortable in his posts and at awkward angles as he effectively uses a reverse and occasionally an overlap. Pucks walking laterally across the crease tend to see his chest and hands fall forward. A more active stick could help reduce lower body rebounds control that caused a couple second chance opportunities, but upper body shots are tracked well and corralled nicely to control play. Playing a very calm game and gaining depth when necessary, sees Parsons never pout of position or outside his crease. Keeping the Steel in this one and stopping 38 of 42, a solid performance but unable to get the win losing 4-3 on the road. Grade: A-
Aiden Wright (G, L, 6’1″, 185, Sioux Falls Stampede, 10/26/2005, Vermont)
Grade: A-
Comments: Sioux Falls: Aiden Wright (2005) The North Carolina native has smooth movement that stems from a condensed stance and gives him confidence in and around the crease. A balanced weight and upright chest with his feet underneath him ensures he is precise with movement and centered on pucks. With the center of his body finding chances against the Vermont commit also shows an ability to drop into pucks. These abilities provide for a solid base to control rebounds and the pace of play in the Stampede zone, trapping pucks in his body, keeping an active stick to direct pucks, and keeping pucks in front of him to be covered. Making a good use of a stance differential allows his smaller frame to see through screens but he did get caught unable to fight through bodies in this contest. Leaving his feet early or scrambling are the only times the Stampede goaltender finds himself in trouble. More frequent scans of the zone and shoulder checks can aid his puck tracking and identification of threats to maintain his feet and mobility. A solid showing making most of his saves in the first period but not very busy stopping 18 of 21. Grade: A-
Game played on 1/3/2025.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
