Game Played on 09/06/2024.
The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders established dominance early in their matchup against the Dubuque Fighting Saints, netting the game’s first goal just a minute into play. By building a commanding 4-0 lead late in the second period, Cedar Rapids created opportunities for players to play with confidence and experiment on the ice. Although it’s still early in the season, the RoughRiders demonstrated a strong offensive performance in this contest. Scout: Ben Marshall
|Maxon^Vig|
Grade: B+
Comments: Maxon is a bigger defenseman who is not afraid to jump up into the rush. He was able to show this type of movement on the goal he scored by leading the rush and showing good habits by ending at the end where he found a rebound to bang home. Maxon could improve on his overall mobility, he tends to be a step behind versus the smaller opponents but does have the size when connecting with them, to eliminate them
|Jason^Musa|
Grade: A-
Comments: Musa is a smaller and shifty player. Played with confidence tonight for his first go around in the USHL as we was able to hold on to pucks long and let plays develop. He did this with his quick agility in small areas to find open ice. Off a neutral zone regroup, Musa was able to slip through the defense, catch the puck in stride, and make a move on the goaltender in tight. One of the more impressive goals of the game.
|Charles^Blanchard|
Grade: B+
Comments: Blanchards willingness to win puck battles showed why he was able to come away with is in scrums along the boards and at the net front. He scored a nice goal getting to the net front off the wall where not only he was a screen, but picked up a rebound contested under pressure. Blanchard showed good habits like attacking scoring areas rather that staying on the perimeter. He has power and a long stride that helps him protect the puck well with his big frame and long stick. He showed that his style of play is always hungry to create chances from the wing and is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to use his shot.
|Landan^Resendes|
Grade: B-
Comments: Resendes really embraces the style of a small winger, characterized by his quick, agile skating and a strong set of hands. His smaller frame does present some limitations, usually in terms of reach and wall battles. Resendes made some mistakes tonight looking to create, the skill is there and the comfortability showed being in the league already for a year. Despite size challenges, he adapted and elevated his game as he transitioned from zone to zone finding ways to make an impact even against bigger, stronger opponents, even if that was hard on the forecheck looking to disrupt.
|Loa^Milfors|
Grade: B+
Comments: Milfors was able to show tonight that he has a set of hands on him and the confidence to bury in close. After he read the neutral zone flow, he picked off a lateral pass and set in on a breakaway. With a leg kick and fake to his backhand, he had the goalie going one way and the puck the other. Loa’s natural skating ability allows him to move effortlessly around the ice, especially when he has the puck heading up ice. He closes quickly in his own end shutting plays down before they can develop. He does not have the size to eliminate, or at least did not show that tonight, but has an active enough stick to be a problem.
|Sam^LeDrew|
Grade: B
Comments: LeDrew was able to show tonight that his vision allows him to anticipate the play, positioning himself perfectly to either disrupt the opposition or jump into a scoring opportunity. Offensively, he is highly creative, understanding the right play to make in any scenario, and his quick, precise shot release makes him a constant threat. His assist on the opening goal of the night was so simple but difficult at the same time. The little sauce pass he made in stride over a blade was only a couple feet but to make it at top pace was why his teammate was able to break through for a goal. On the defensive side he has improvements to make positionally, getting turned around a couple times, but has the quick feet to close quickly.
|Jonathan^Morello|
Grade: A-
Comments: Morello showed he has a solid frame and a knack for using that frame to win loose puck battles. He was able to bring the game within two goals late in the third period after a net front battle, picking up the lose puck, he stood his ground under pressure. He uses his size to shield the puck and can scan with opponents applying pressure. His other weapon, though is his quick and heavy shot. He plays two way but needs to be more reliable in his own end. Too often, he was caught puck watching and usually a defenseman would slide behind him. He has the size to win in small areas and be a more complete 200ft player.
|Teddy^Merrill|
Grade: B
Comments: Merrill’s ability to work in tight spaces seems as good a place as anyone in the offensive zone. He showed tonight that he is one of the better attackers off the rush with a defender on his back. He seeks out pressure with gear changes or stops and starts, then creatively pulls away with shifty moves. His size does add a factor if a bigger player gets a hold of him but for the most part tonight, he used his edges and frame well enough to avoid getting bumped off the puck.
Michael^Barron|
Grade: B
Comments: Barron showed tonight that he is dynamic with his offense but can also be a player who plays a well rounded game. A quick and agile skater, he shows explosive speed and mobility all over the ice. In every zone, he is constantly looking to create problems for the opposition. His sharp awareness reflects his high hockey IQ, allowing him to consistently generate plays and scoring opportunities. He made this slip pass behind the net that showed his head was up before making the play, he is able to scan under pressure.
|Lucas^Van Vilet|
Grade: A-
Comments: Van Vliet a skilled puck handler with quick, precise movements and the kind of fast twitch wrists that make his quick movement into the middle of the ice less risky. He likes to pull defenseman in bait them to reach so he can use a move around them. Obviously this adds risk to his game but he works in these in optimistic areas. Scored a nice floating into a scoring area and with a one timer shot, beat the goalie clean. His controlled skating kept him in a space where he was both available, and in a spot in tight at the goalie.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images