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USHL: Fargo (1) at Waterloo (2)

Game played on 12/29/2024.

General Game Notes: December 29, 2024 – USHL action between the Fargo Force and Waterloo Black Hawks. A tight checking, low scoring game saw both goalies play great in this one. Ultimately it was Waterloo’s Brendan McMorrow #22 with two goals to get his team the extra point in overtime by a final score of 2-1.

Dane Callaway (G, L, 6’2″, 205, Fargo Force, 12/04/2005)

Grade: B+

Comments: Callaway is a smooth-skating goaltender who excels at tracking the play and staying on his feet to make key saves. His ability to follow the puck with his head and quickly get into position allows him to anticipate plays and make necessary saves with composure. He’s especially quick down low, tracking rebounds with speed and ensuring second-chance opportunities are limited. Combining a new-school approach with impressive athleticism, Callaway is effective at making those desperation saves when needed. He was arguably the best player on the ice, giving his team a legitimate chance to win, but despite his stellar performance, his team ultimately fell in overtime.

Finn McLaughlin (D, L, 6’1″, 185, Fargo Force, 02/28/2006, Denver)

Grade: B+

Comments: McLaughlin showcased a well-rounded skillset in his performance, excelling in both defensive and offensive situations. He demonstrated strong defensive skills, maintaining a solid gap to neutralize opposing forwards and effectively protect his own zone. In the neutral zone, he remained active and aggressive, applying pressure on opponents without hesitating using his strong skating ability. On offense, McLaughlin displayed confidence and initiative, joining rushes and even acting as an additional forward when needed. He was confident with the puck, especially on the PP, setting up a nice assist on the Force only goal of the game.

Hayes Hundley (D, R, 6’3″, 208, Fargo Force, 03/22/2005)

Grade: B

Comments: Hundley was solid in his own end, consistently committing to winning puck battles and using his physicality to shut down opposing plays. Along the boards, his large frame allowed him to shield off opponents and protect the puck effectively. While he didn’t always make flashy plays, Hundley kept things simple, efficiently clearing pucks from dangerous areas and ensuring his team could transition out of trouble. Throughout the game, he showcased his physical edge with some well-timed ‘reverse hits’ and provided strong net-front presence, blocking shots and executing early box-outs to allow his goaltender to see pucks.

Colemen Bumgarner (LW, L, 6’0″, 200, Fargo Force, 04/25/2008, North Dakota)

Grade: B-

Comments: Bumgarner scored the Forces only goal on the PP, collecting a puck on the flank, attacking the inside ice and shooting through a screen. The puck found its way through traffic, showcasing his ability to shoot with a quick release and having his head up to pin-point his shot.

Matthew Lahey (D, L, 6’5″, 205, Fargo Force, 07/17/2006, Michigan State)

Grade: B

Comments: Lahey is a towering defender at 6’5′ who plays a well-rounded game, with a particular emphasis on his strong play in the defensive zone. His size and physicality allow him to dominate along the walls, using his long reach to smother opponents and neutralize threats. He isn’t flashy, but he makes simple, effective plays that minimize turnovers and limit dangerous attacks. When given time and space, Lahey can make clean, efficient passes to move the puck up the ice. Offensively, he contributes by getting shots through from the point, providing occasional offense while maintaining a strong defensive presence.

Merril Steenari (RW, R, 5’10”, 179, Fargo Force, 01/18/2004, Colorado College)

Grade: B

Comments: Steenari displayed excellent hockey IQ, particularly in the neutral zone, where he made smart reads and quickly identified where pressure was coming from. His ability to evade defenders, find open space, and transition towards the net—whether with or without the puck—allowed him to stay in motion and get quick shots on goal. His skating is a major asset, as he consistently beats opponents to open ice, giving him the opportunity to receive passes in stride and release shots on net from dangerous areas. Although he didn’t score, he had some good looks off transition / rush plays.

Elias Zimmerman (C, L, 6’6″, 218, Fargo Force, 08/08/2005, UMass Amherst)

Grade: B+

Comments: Zimmerman is a massive power-forward who dominates along the boards and uses his size to protect the puck and drive towards the net. With a strong combination of skill and physicality, he’s a tough player to defend against, as he leans on opponents and does whatever it takes to establish position in front of the net. Throughout the game, Zimmerman showcased his ability to create chaos around the crease, often picking up pucks behind the net and wrapping them to the front, generating traffic and second-chance opportunities. He’s relentless around the net, hacking and whacking at any loose pucks to create scoring chances.

Daniel Moor (G, L, 6’2″, 188, Waterloo Black Hawks, 01/17/2006, Princeton)

Grade: B+

Comments: Moor played a stellar game, nearly flawless, and was crucial in securing his team an important overtime win. As a ‘blocking’ style goaltender, he reads the play well and positions himself to meet the puck with his body or hands, relying on his positioning to limit the need for reactive saves. While this approach involves absorbing pucks more than making acrobatic saves, Moor’s ability to make key stops in high-pressure situations was evident. He was especially effective on odd-man rushes, where he read the play perfectly, slid across the crease, and swallowed up pucks into his body, limiting second-chance opportunities and ensuring his team maintained control.

Dylan Compton (D, R, 6’1″, 190, Waterloo Black Hawks, 01/09/2005, Northeastern)

Grade: B+

Comments: Compton is a confident right-shot defender who makes smart, effective plays in all three zones. He has the skill to deliver accurate tape-to-tape passes and isn’t afraid to move his feet and join the rush when the opportunity arises. On the power play, Compton is particularly effective, handling the puck well, walking the blue line, and ensuring pucks get through to the net. He has a natural ability to find shooting lanes, using his quick release to fire pucks on net, even with traffic in front. His offensive awareness and ability to contribute both in transition and on special teams make him a valuable asset on the back end.

Michael Phelan (D, R, 5’11”, 167, Waterloo Black Hawks, 05/04/2006, Miami (Ohio))

Grade: B

Comments: Phelan is a player whose subtle qualities may go unnoticed at times, but they have a big impact on the game. He efficiently collects pucks behind his net with speed, quickly wheels up the ice while keeping his head up, and makes precise, tape-to-tape passes. His ability to survey the ice as he moves with the puck allows him to make smart, effective passes that fuel his team’s transition and create sustained offensive zone time. Defensively, Phelan is equally reliable, using an active stick to disrupt plays and effectively pinning opponents along the boards. His all-around game—smart, composed, and effective—makes him a key contributor both in transition and in his own end.

Brendan McMorrow (LW, L, 6’0″, 180, Waterloo Black Hawks, 03/27/2006, Denver)

Grade: A-

Comments: McMorrow had a standout game, scoring two goals that highlighted his versatility as a skilled forward. His first goal came from hard work in front of the net, where he jammed away at a loose puck. While it wasn’t pretty, it was a perfect example of his determination to get to the tough areas and create scoring chances. His second goal, scored in overtime, showcased his skill and composure. On a 2-on-1, McMorrow collected the puck, kept it himself the entire way, and ripped a bullet of a snap shot from the top of the circle, beating the goaltender cleanly. The play demonstrated his quick feet, head-up vision, and wicked release, combining power and accuracy to finish the game.

Grady Deering (F, R, 6’1″, 188, Waterloo Black Hawks, 06/19/2005, Wisconsin)

Grade: A-

Comments: Deering is a force on every shift, consistently making his presence known with his physicality and power. While he has the skill to play with the puck, he often chooses to use his size and strength to create space for himself and his linemates. Strong on his skates and difficult to knock off the puck, Deering repeatedly showcased his ability to carry the puck into the offensive zone while maintaining control. He also has a relentless approach to going to the net, whether it’s at even strength or on the power play. Using his large frame, he battles in front to gain positioning on defenders. Deering contributed in the third period by assisting on the tying goal—tying up two defenders and winning a battle for a loose puck, which he eventually chipped to a teammate for the tap-in. He is a player that is extremely hard to play against and you are thankful he’s on your side, not the other.

Joseph Monteiro (LW, L, 6’0″, 203, Waterloo Black Hawks, 01/12/2006, Providence)

Grade: B-

Comments: Monteiro is a fast, relentless skater with a chip-and-chase style that keeps defenders on their toes. He consistently gets pucks deep, forechecks hard, and uses his speed to apply pressure and create turnovers. His ability to make plays at full speed makes him a tough player to defend against, as he can quickly transition from defense to offense. However, at times, he struggled to gain access to the inside ice, limiting his ability to capitalize on opportunities in high-danger areas.

Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

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