Game played on April 24, 2024
General Game Notes: This was a close game with back and forth scoring. Fargo opened the scoring only a minute into the game and was a major factor why they were able to win. They started out like they were more ready and prepared than the Storm.
Hampton Slukynsky (G, L, 6’2″, 189, Fargo Force, 07/02/2005, Western Michigan)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Playing with good instincts, he reacts well to broken or quick developing plays. His strong technical base puts him into position to do that, because he stays within the frame and is rarely caught out of his net. Slukynsky plays with moderate depth, with his heels generally at the top of the crease on plays off the rush.
Finn McLaughlin (D, L, 6’1″, 185, Fargo Force, 02/28/2006, Denver)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: What he brought to the table tonight above all else, was shutdown abilities. He scans the ice, identifies threats ahead of time, and cuts their path to the net, often quite abruptly, laying the odd hit and battling for every inch of space around the net and on the boards. Defensively, McLaughlin can match the pace, the intensity, and the work rate of other teams top lines.
Leo Gruba (D, R, 6’1″, 209, Fargo Force, 12/14/2003, Minnesota)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: His posture is athletic, bending optimally in his knees and hips. Gruba is also explosive, which helps him to beat forecheckers and create clean exits as the puck carrier. When he’s at his best, he can dominate the game as a transitional force capable of going coast-to-coast, blending in crossovers and stick weaves to go through the neutral zone. He showed confidence with the puck on the blue line not throwing plays away under pressure.
Zam Plante (C, L, 5’10”, 170, Fargo Force, 08/24/2004, Minnesota Duluth)
2022 round 5 #150 overall by Pittsburgh Penguins
Game Grade: A-
Comments: What special about Plante tonight was his shot, one that he can send on net with power and precision from either skate and nearly any angle. He couples that high level shot with a playmaking component to make him a true dual-threat scorer. He is someone who can get pucks around defenders and then reposition as a new option himself, he created something almost every time he touched the puck.
Michael La Starza (LW, L, 5’11”, 190, Fargo Force, 01/14/2004, Vermont)
Game Grade A-
Comments: La Starza accelerates well with good two step quickness, and matches that pace with good lateral mobility. His passes were firm and well timed and if he does not have an option to make a quick play, he has the speed to carry the puck, too. La Starza plays a tight gap defensively, mitigates risk with his footwork, and closes with force whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Gavin Morrissey (F, L, 5’11”, 181, Fargo Force, 02/16/2003, Wisconsin)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Morrisey is more effective at finding space to receive passes and at driving the net than he is at making advanced plays himself. He also provides some defensive value with his active reach, intensity, and the ability to anticipate opposing plays. He has a quick stick for a forward in his own zone.
Jake Fisher (C, L, 6’2″, 192, Fargo Force, 03/27/2005, Denver)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: A slippery forward with tons of skill and offensive prowess. When he is confident with the puck, he can pull off moves that open up a lot of time and space for himself and teammates. Can create a lot of dangerous chances through utilizing his smooth skating and knowledge of the offensive end. Continued to get better in his own end throughout the game, defensively and physically.
Merril Steenari (RW, R, 5’10”, 179, Fargo Force, 01/18/2004, Colorado College)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: In most shifts, Steenari is a supportive player, someone who provides timely passing options to teammates, especially in transition. He draws low arcs in the defensive zone to help his defensemen break out the puck and then initiates lateral movements with his line mates off the rush to create passing plays.
Mac Swanson (C, L, 5’8″, 167, Fargo Force, 01/10/2006, North Dakota)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Swanson’s game is all about the hustle and the energy. He brings it on the forecheck. He gets on opponents and makes them lose the puck and he consistently drives the middle in possession. Has good off puck instincts, mostly when he is driving the weak side to the net, spacing and timing so that he could become a cross-ice passing option at the right time. Displayed some great vision tonight opening the ice making cross ice passes himself.
August Falloon (C, L, 6’2″, 201, Tri City Storm, 02/23/2004, Minnesota)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Fallon has a larger frame who likes to play the body. Very successful along the boards and behind the net. He is also a good skater showing that he can accelerate out of traffic if he has to. Falloon anticipates openings off the rush and has a mix of handling, shooting, and even some playmaking skills. His offense revolves around the rush, particularly in odd-man situations.
Vsevolod Logvin (C, L, 6’1″, 174, Tri City Storm, 01/12/2004)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Logvin possesses high end playmaking skills, he can create high quality looks for his line mates often from out of nowhere. He is particularly effective at turning loose puck retrievals and forechecking steals into offense. He does this with a combination of his size and ability to play with contact. Multiple times tonight he would avoid throwing pucks away by accepting contact, usually reversing the hit, and use the small space to make plays.
Vladislav Lukashevich (D, L, 6’2″, 167, Tri City Storm, 05/23/2003, Michigan State)
2021 round 4 #120 overall by Florida Panthers
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Lukashevich was not able to get on the score sheet tonight but created offense in other ways. He shut down rushes before the blue line and was able to turn turnovers into quick transition by snapping passes through coverages. He has size and mobility that make him hard to play against when he is rushing the puck. He takes advantage of smaller defenseman by getting low and will attack the net.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Ben Marshall