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USHL Clark Cup Playoffs: Lincoln at Waterloo

Game Played April 16. 2024

General Game Notes: A dominating performance from the Stars as they took and early lead and never looked back. A five to zero lead and all even strength goals, the Stars were able to show their depth in this game leading into a hopeful long play off run.

Yan Shostak (G, L, 6’0″, 185, Lincoln Stars, 03/30/2004, St. Cloud)

Game Grade: A-

Comments: Shostak showed that his game relies on consistency and standing primed for recovery, keeping as much of the top half of his net covered as possible even when he is maintaining his edges and staying on his feet. He fought off first shots well and battled for second. Big reason why the score was what it was.

Adam Kleber (D, R, 6’5″, 203, Lincoln Stars, 03/24/2006, Minnesota Duluth)

Game Grade: A-

Comments: Kleber is blue liner who can log big minutes and contributing on both special teams. He is a safeguard in the neutral zone, where he pinches aggressively and gaps up early, guiding opponents towards the boards before engaging physically. In the defensive end, he pins up opponents along the boards and has a solid box-out game showing his height dominance.

Jacob Rombach (D, L, 6’5″, 187, Lincoln Stars, 04/01/2007, Minnesota)

Game Grade: A-

Comments: Rombach is a huge defenseman with great size and reach. A team player with a good work ethic that is shown through his battle level. He is aggressive and physical showing his ability to be a very capable stay at home defenseman. His mobility, in terms of skating, agility and acceleration, needs improvement, but considering his size, he moves well in smaller spaces.

Ethan Weber (D, R, 6’0″, 187, Lincoln Stars, 12/10/2006, Penn State)

Game Grade: A-

Comments: Weber contributes by being a reliable defensive contributor. He engages the body well and is tough to play against in front of the net. He made simple decisions that advanced the play with time and space. He defends well in the neutral, keeping a tight gap. He was also stable in his own end, closing passing lanes and playing hard in front of the net where he ca use his size and strength.

Aiden Janz (LW, L, 5’11”, 165, Lincoln Stars, 05/05/2007)

Game Grade: B

Comments: Janz is a hard working forward. Smallish, but does not fear the traffic of entering the offensive zone. More of a passer than a shooter. Has good speed with the puck showing his ability to stop and start quickly to make defenders chase him. Janz needs to find ways to increase his ability of holding onto pucks longer rather that just using his speed to beat players.

Max Ferkodic (RW, R, 6’1″, 205, Lincoln Stars, 02/26/2004)

Game Grade: B-

Comments: A competitive spark-plug, Ferkodic is a complete, all-around forward who can hem the opposition in their own end or make things difficult for the opposition, either way, he puts the pressure on and lays it on thick. A strong and balanced skater, he can rush the puck through the neutral zone with ease or back check with haste. His head is up looking for the next play.

Martin Masa (D, L, 6’1″, 190, Lincoln Stars, 07/14/2005, Providence)

Game Grade: B+

Comments: Masa enjoys a pretty physical and aggressive game of hockey. He has very good hockey sense and controls the puck with ease under pressure, showed that he will not just throw the puck being confronted. Good at setting up plays and very solid in his own end. Has some offensive skills as well but his game . Could improve his acceleration and mobility as well as endurance on the kill.

Ryan Spinale (RW, R, 6’5″, 205, Lincoln Stars, 02/09/2004, Colgate)

Game Grade: A-

Comments: Spinale positioned himself well both offensively and defensively and showed an ability to both anticipate the rotations of the play and to support them. He also made many crafty passes in the opposing end to create scoring chances when it looked like the play was dead. Spinale is a big forward and uses his size well to bump opponents before first touch to create space.

Kai Janviriya (D, R, 5’8″, 170, Lincoln Stars, 04/02/2005, Connecticut)

Game Grade: A-

Comments: Janviriya is such a rock solid defender. His compete level in his own end is excellent, and despite his size, he is a hard player to beat one on one because his footwork is smooth and efficient. His play in transition is quick, when he retrieves a loose puck, his head snaps around looking for space to attack or teammate to hit. He made good first outlet passes, not deferring to his partner as often on the breakout.

Dashel Oliver (RW, R, 5’10”, 187, Lincoln Stars, 02/24/2005, Notre Dame)

Game Grade: A-

Comments: Oliver creates the majority of his offense with off the puck skating patterns, the ability to find space, and relatively good timing. He’s got a great shot, and if someone can carry the puck into the offensive zone or dig it out on retrievals for him, he is great at getting lost in space. He is able to tag anywhere on the net with time and space.

Will Felicio (D, L, 5’10”, 161, Waterloo Black Hawks, 05/19/2006, Denver)

Game Grade: B+

Comments: Felicio is the quarterback the top power play unit. He showed tonight that he makes simple passes and can utilize a heavy shot from time to time. Felicio did fine shutting down offense coming his way but his game is creating offense going the other. He is a tough customer along the boards despite his size.

Tyler Miller (D, L, 6’0″, 178, Waterloo Black Hawks, 09/16/2004, Michigan Tech)

Game Grade: B

Comments: Miller uses his size to his advantage, but knows his physical limits and plays within them. Instead of playing overly physical, he makes his presence felt by exhibiting his high-end playmaking ability and puck possession play. He can hold on to pucks by playing with pace. Well rounded blue liner who does well under pressure when retrieving pucks.

Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

Scout: Ben Marshall

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