Played on Mar 9, 2025
United States Hockey League
Game Played in Fox Valley Arena
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone was in attendance for this regular season matchup between the Dubuque Fighting Saints and the Chicago Steel, where the Fighting Saints defeated the Steel by a score of 3-2 in regulation. Power performers in this game include, but are not limited to: Lucas Van Vilet (1G, 2A), Cooper Dennis (2A), and Ashton Schultz (1G). Additionally, goaltenders Jan Spunar and Jack Parsons each faced 30 shots a piece, with Spunar eventually outdueling his counterpart and ultimately earning his 22nd win of the season.
Jack Parsons (G, L, 6’3″, 194, Chicago Steel, 01/15/2006, Providence)
Game Rating
B
John Parsons is an above-average goaltender with exceptional composure in high-pressure situations. He consistently displayed impressive reflexes and quick decision-making throughout the game, particularly during the first period when he held off a 10-4 shot advantage. Notably, he made several highlight-reel saves, including a brilliant right-pad save on a tic-tac-toe passing play and a shoulder save from a backdoor feed in the second period. However, he struggled with defending against odd-man rushes during the powerplay, giving up two goals to capitalize on a double minor penalty. This game highlighted his exceptional skills in certain situations but showed room for improvement in others.
1 Viewing
Comments: John is a large and quite athletic goaltender for his size. At 6’4′ and nearly 200 lbs, he is every bit reactive as he is quick. Roughly labeled initially as a hybrid style goaltender, he most definitely favors the butterfly more often than not and really sits back into his hips. He is extremely mobile for a goaltender of his size, especially down low and close to the ice. John’s only weak point this afternoon was when he let somewhat of a soft goal get by, as Dubuque’s Frank walked out of the near corner and placed a soft shot high to the glove side for the game’s first goal. Meanwhile, he was able to stop several one-time powerplay chances, sliding across the crease with ease, relying heavily on his edgework/pushoffs. John kept his rebounds under control and once again was beat by one and done chances only. He stopped 27 of 30 shots for a reliable .900 SV% on the afternoon.
Adam Valentini (C, L, 5’9″, 187, Chicago Steel, 04/11/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Adam is an average size, two-way centerman, with a left shot. A multi-dimensional player, Adam contributes at both ends of the ice, and although it is his offensive attributes that are most knowledgeable, his defensive game can also not be overlooked. Adam see’s considerable special teams ice time, most notably at the half wall on the powerplay, but it was his anticipation in one sequence that saw him move off the wall, skate through the slot area, and redirect a shot from the point for a goal. His hockey sense is top notch as he has demonstrated keen decision making and play under pressure. Adam competes every shift, battles through bodies in the offensive zone (particularly in front of the net), and is a balanced and well-rounded skater. Defensively, Adam defends the neutral zone and looks to clog lanes. Here if he can cause a turnover, he becomes most dangerous often in transition. With a month remaining in the season, Adam looks as if he will crack the 40-point mark in his first USHL campaign and will look to build on his success next season going into his draft year. He is an underage to keep an eye on moving forward.
Ashton Schultz (RW, R, 5’11”, 180, Chicago Steel, 10/03/2006, North Dakota)
Game Rating
B+
Ashton Schultz is a skilled forward with a strong right shot, excelling at pushing defenders back with his speed and agility. He consistently creates scoring chances by getting pucks to the net and has demonstrated his ability to toe-drag past opponents and unleash powerful shots. Despite showing promise in this regard, Schultz tends to rely on his outside shots too frequently, rarely venturing into the middle of the ice or high slot areas to create higher-end opportunities. To reach his full potential, Ashton will need to mix up his shot selection and incorporate more shots from inside the dots, which would likely lead to further improvements in his scoring numbers.
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Comments: Ashton is an offensively minded and skilled forward with a right hand shot. A 200-foot player, although his defensive play does not generally stand out particularly, there is one thing that he does well on a consistent basis and that simply put is getting shots on net. He led all skaters with 9 shots on goal this afternoon and although Ashton is often known for shooting from the perimeter and generating shots from difficult angles, today it appeared that he was shifting his play more inside the dots and getting higher slot scoring opportunities. Ashton netted a nice goal as he motored over the offensive line, dished a pash across the hashmarks to Tylec who was able to get a shot off. Ashton would then find the rebound off the initial save and slam home his 13th goal of the season. With his quick and accurate shot selections, combined with an ability to gain more middle ice advantages, there’s no reason to believe he should not flirt with the 20 goal mark by the end of this season.
Jan Spunar (G, L, 6’3″, 190, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 05/30/2004)
Game Rating
B+
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Comments: Jan is a tall, hybrid-style goaltender, who is athletic and quick. He uses his size to his advantage as he utilizes more of an upright stance and cuts down angles well as he stands at the top of his crease. He was able to keep the majority of his rebounds in check tonight, however, was beat once as he came out to challenge a 2-on-1 chance and was able to make a strong save with the right side of his chest. The rebound then went toward the right side of the crease and Schultz was able to tap home a loose puck into an open net. Other from that, he was able to read shots well, limit second chance opportunities, and appear to utilize the overlap technique into his angling of shooters. He turned aside 28 of 30 shots for an impressive .933 SV% on the afternoon. Jan probably should have been picked up in the late rounds of the NHL draft last summer but instead had to settle for an invite to Florida’s rookie camp. Since he played two years in the WHL, given the new CHL/NCAA agreement, it will be interesting to see if Jan settles on a free agent NHL/AHL contract or will now look to the NCAA route.
Kristian Kostadinski (D, L, 6’5″, 219, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 05/20/2005, Boston College)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Kristian is a very large, two-way defenseman, with a left shot. At 6’5” and 220 lbs he moves relatively well for a player of his size, as he has a very long stride. He netted a nice goal today as he walked in from the far point, almost undetected, after receiving a pass, then ripped a wrist shot from the far faceoff dot that had quite a bit of torque on it and went top shelf. Kristian demonstrated another key anticipated read, where he recognized that an opposing defenseman had fallen out of the play as he was caught deep, thus he jumped in on the counterattack creating an odd man scoring chance the other way. His long reach buys him time and gives him an extra edge in gap control, therefore making him difficult to beat 1 on 1, yet the most impressive aspect of his defensive game tonight was his ability to block shocks. Kristian was credit with 4 blocks, including several on the penalty kill, where he saw considerable time. A highly touted shut down defenseman moving forward, Kristian has clearly adjusted well to his first year of North American hockey and will look to further his development next season at Boston College.
Edison Engle (D, L, 6’2″, 175, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 02/15/2007, Ohio State)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Edison is a slightly above average size, offensive defenseman, with a left shot. A very mobile defenseman, with a balanced stride and playmaking abilities, his offensive abilities were on display tonight as he saw a considerable amount of time running the powerplay from the blueline. Edison has the confidence to move the puck from the goal line to the offensive zone and because of that is given the choice of whether to make delayed entries or simply motor through the neutral zone himself. He almost saw himself pickpocketed on one rush, but Edison recovered within a split second with a quick lift of the stick and in an all-in-one motion continued the rush. Precision passing and creative puck movement was the highlight of his game tonight. He was credited with 4 shots on goal, but his best opportunity came when he snuck in from the point with the powerplay expiring and ripped a shot through traffic from the far side hash marks. He did not make any real defensive mistakes in this contest, but as is the consensus with Edison, he needs to become stronger and more physical in his own end. Comments: Engle was another minute eater for the US, playing just under 20 minutes, playing on the first PK unit and in shut down situations with Fiddler. He’s a big, strong, defensive minded defenseman who takes care of things in his own end. While he’s not a speedster by any means, he has a strong, balanced stride which will continue to improve as he grows into his frame. While he doesn’t have the offensive instincts as say a Fiddler, he made good puck decisions in his own end whether it was on the tape or a chip and out, he kept himself out of trouble against quicker forwards. He played with competed and won puck battles in his own corner and in front of the net. His stick was in good spots, breaking up plays and was good defending in general. While he can stick and pin guys, we’d like to see him be more aggressive and physical to add that element to his game.
Colin Frank (RW, R, 5’6″, 160, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 03/22/2006, Connecticut)
Game Rating
B+
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Comments: Colin is a below average size, two-way forward, with a right shot. One of the smallest players on the ice, however one of the quickest in contrast. He netted the game’s first tally, working hard in the near corner, where he was able to slide of the wall and drive towered the net where he placed a shot over Parsons’ glove. However, he probably should have had a hat trick as he was robbed twice; once on a one-time powerplay chance, and a second time as he drove hard down the slot for a quick one-time tap in but was stymied. Colin was consistently involved in the play, and despite his size, he was one of the speediest and mobile players on the ice, and it showed as he led all Dubuque skaters with 5 shots on goal. A competitive scoring drive and ability to find open spaces made him dangerous on the afternoon, both at even strength and on the powerplay.
Cooper Dennis (RW, R, 5’5″, 150, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 05/07/2007, Michigan)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Cooper is a below average size, two-way forward, with a right shot who’s skating ability immediately jumps out at you right away. He puts forth a hustle and compete level that is second to no one, where edge work and agility are his best attributes. He picked up two assists in this contest as the chemistry he holds with linemates Frank and Van Vilet was highly evident. Cooper is more of a playmaker than he is a goal scorer, as he is constantly scanning the ice for options and pressuring defensemen on the attack. Unfortunately, his greatest weakness will be his 5’6′ and 150 lbs frame moving forward.
Lucas Van Vliet (LW, L, 6’2″, 181, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 01/24/2006, Michigan State)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Lucas is an average size, skillful forward, with a left shot who had a hand in each and every tally for the Fighting Saints this afternoon. He opened the scoring working hard along the wall towards the near corner, which led to Frank being able to come out of the corner and drive the net for a goal. He would later add another assist on Kostadinski’s goal. Lucas would finish the afternoon off by netting what would be the game winning goal, on the powerplay, as he picked off a poor clearing attempt. He demonstrated his ability to not only win board battles today but also move the puck off the wall quickly and get it to his teammates. Lucas is quite precise in tight, when given just a little amount of space, and combined with his quick hands shows how he can sucker in opponents, especially along the wall, opening time and space for his linemates.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images