Game played on 11/02/2024.
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone was in attendance for this USHL matchup between the Green Bay Gamblers and the Chicago Steel. A goaltender’s dual for approximately 55 minutes of game time, the teams traded three goals in a matter of 2 minutes and 12 seconds in the final frame, sending the game to overtime. Gambler’s winger and Colorado Avalanche draft pick, Will Zellers was able to take advantage of blown defensive coverage and netted the game winner in extra time; giving him a total of 8 points (6G) in 8 games on the season.
Jack Parsons (G, L, 6’3″, 194, Chicago Steel, 01/15/2006, Providence)
Grade: B
Comments: John is an above average, hybrid-type, goaltender who ended up taking the loss in a contest where he really held his team together for the most part. He stood on his head for most of the first period as his team was outshot 10-4, and was the catalyst as Steel had a 2-1 lead with less the 5 minutes remaining in the game. Although the night did not end the way he would have liked, John overall showed good composure and limited second chance opportunities. In the first period he made a brilliant right pad save to stop a tic-tac-toe passing play. He later followed this with a highlight reel shoulder save off a backdoor feed in the second period. With under 5 minutes to go in the third, the flood gates opened as Green Bay scored two powerplay goals in a matter of one minutes time, capitalizing on a double minor high-sticking penalty. Both goals coming in the high slot. The Steel would fight back to get to overtime, but John would ultimately take the loss in a hard-fought game. During the middle of the overtime frame, one of John’s defensemen blew a tire and he was forced to defend a 2 on 0, where he was beat to the glove side. He is usually very good at defending against rebounds and second chance opportunities, but this was a game where he was beat primarily on the man advantage, a bad break, and one and done shooting attempts. He stopped 28 of 32 shots.
Benjamin Yurchuk (C, L, 5’8″, 169, Chicago Steel, 02/01/2005, Merrimack)
Grade: B
Comments: Ben is an undersized, skillful, centerman with a left shot. He is undoubtedly a playmaker, passer rather than a shooter, who drives plays towards the middle of the ice in the offensive zone. He generates speed in the neutral zone and as he crosses the offensive blue line, his head is already on a swivel, not only looking for options, but creating them too. Ben draws defenses towards him, where he then uses his agile skating ability to break down coverage and then distribute the puck to his linemates who can take advantage of these mistakes. He didn’t make the scoresheet tonight, but he created numerous chances with his poised and patient puck handling skills. Ben has the talent to control and dictate the game on his stick every shift.
Teddy Mutryn (C, R, 6’1″, 207, Chicago Steel, 02/16/2007, Boston College)
Grade: B+
Comments: Teddy is a slightly above average, two-way winger, with a right shot. He was very noticeable in regard to the fact that he was able to play a strong game in all three zones. At about the seven minute mark of the 1st period, Teddy stepped onto the ice to defend a 4 on 3 penalty kill and did a fantastic job at taking away a considerable amount of time and space. He was semi-aggressive, waiting for the right time to challenge on the perimeter, and was also able to block a shot from the near point. Teddy’s skating ability is highlighted by a strong and powerful stride, which allows him to cover a lot of ice. He was buzzing around the blue paint for a good portion of his offensive zone time. On the powerplay he fumbled the puck on the doorstep and lost out on a prime loose puck scoring chance, only to come back later and redeem himself as he found a loose puck in the crease and hammered it home 5-hole to give the Steel a 2-1 lead. Teddy played a 200-foot game, competed in all 3 zones, and continued to push pace.
Luke Goukler (LW, L, 5’11”, 173, Chicago Steel, 08/11/2006, Merrimack)
Grade: B-
Comments: Luke is a dynamic player known for his exceptional speed and ability to control the puck. He excels at carrying the puck from one end of the ice to the other, effortlessly weaving through defenders with his quickness. His wrist shot is particularly effective, allowing him to score with precision from various angles. When creating scoring opportunities, Luke uses his agility to create space and evade opponents, making defenses have to interchange while he shifts around the zone. That being said, he had a little difficulty tonight on the rush, as several of his zone entries were fought off. The play can sometimes start and or stop with him, depending on Luke’s ability to enter and manipulate his way around the zone. He had 2 shots on goal tonight, despite not factoring into the scoring.
Timothy^Kazda|
Grade: C+
Comments: Tim is an averaged sized, two-way forward, with a right shot. He made his junior/USHL debut this weekend after being called up from Seacoast Performance Academy AAA and went scoreless in both. Rotating into the lineup as the 13th forward, he didn’t see a large amount of ice time, however he gradually saw some offensive chances as the game went on. Tim appeared to have several chances where he would slide of the near wall, walk around the top of the circle, and rip a wrist shot on net. He was credited for one shot on goal, but his best chance probably came when he maneuvered around the top of the circle and ripped a shot, just high and wide of the right top corner. Additionally, he found ways to rotate/cycle himself to the high slot and back down towards the opposing goaltender, providing some brief net front presence. Now that Tim has his first taste of USHL hockey, we will be watching to see if he can put that quick release shooting ability to good use. It was clear he was already processing when to try and pick his spots.
Lukas Peterson (D, R, 5’10”, 165, Green Bay Gamblers, 02/15/2006, Maine)
Grade: B-
Comments: Lukas is borderline average sized, two-way defenseman, whose game is highlighted by strong skating and smart instincts with and without the puck. In regard to his skating abilities, he gets low in his stance and is able to open his hips at high speeds, showing steady balance and lateral movement. In one sequence he moved across the offensive blueline from far-side to near side, dancing and shifting his weight back and forth with the puck, broke a defender’s ankles, literally making him fall over, and then continue his way down the near side wall with the puck (it was quite Quinn Hughes like). He looks to move pucks out of his own zone quickly and efficiently, meanwhile demonstrating good instincts as to when lead the rush up ice himself. Defensively, he uses good hockey IQ and gap control to breakup plays, partly due to the fact that his footwork is so aggressive. He should slot in nicely as a good second pairing defenseman at the D1 level, who provides shut down capabilities, combined with some offensive puck-moving upside.
Niles Benson (F, R, 6’0″, 192, Green Bay Gamblers, 06/25/2007, Harvard)
Grade: A-
Comments: Niles is a strong, power forward, with a right shot. Arguably one of the best players on the ice tonight, he posted 2 points (1G, 1A), as he opened the scoring on the evening, going to the front of the net, and deflecting a shot from the top of the near circle for his first goal of the season. He would later pick up a primary assist on the go-ahead goal in the third period, as he was able to get the puck to the high slot, where Cardilli ripped a quick wrister. Niles is strong on the puck and puck protection is one of his biggest assets, along with his ability to move the puck up the ice and into the offensive zone. He showed good playmaking ability tonight, as he found seams and moved the puck on the powerplay, into the high slot. Niles had 0 points in his first 11 games, but hopefully this multi-point night will get him out of this slump and give him some more confidence going forward.
Will Zellers (LW, L, 5’11”, 170, Green Bay Gamblers, 04/04/2006, North Dakota)
Grade: A
Comments: Will is an average sized, skillful forward, with a left hand shot. He was arguably the most offensively driven player in this game and certainly showed his already noted prow less to get pucks to the net. Leading all skaters with 5 shots on net this evening, he was most effective on the man advantage, where he was most definitely the trigger man. He’s developing more into an overall shooter, rather than a passer, but he is most fun to watch on the rush as he is very good at choosing different angles of attack and ultimately creating pockets of space towards the center of the offensive zone. Will was able to net the game winning goal in overtime as a defenseman blew a tire, resulting in a 2 on 0. As one might have guessed, he elected to shoot, rather than pass, and was able to place a shot to the glove hand side for the win. Another prime example of how Will has the flair for the dramatics and continues to develop a strong reputation for late game heroics.
Mykhailo Danylov (C, L, 5’7″, 156, Green Bay Gamblers, 08/01/2004, Michigan State)
Grade: B
Comments: Misha is an undersized, energy-role, centerman, with a left shot. One word in general describes the way he plays the game and that’s ‘relentless.’ Playing fourth line minutes, he makes each and every second count. He’s an exceptional skater, who moves quickly on the rush, and even quicker on counterattacks. Working hard in the corners, in front on the net, and along the wall; Misha gets into scrums, wins loose puck battles, and throws his undersized body at anyone who comes his way. He was also attempting to cause commotion around the net and after whistles. It is clear to see why there is a letter on the front of his jersey. Unfortunately, his main weakness is his 5’7′ and 152 lbs frame, which makes it easy for opponents to knock him off the puck, especially when he is going up against a defenseman who is 5 inches and 50 lbs heavier than him. According to Rinknet and the Gamblers Media Guide, he is uncommitted at the moment, which is baffling. He is an absolute great player to watch compete and should do well at the D1 level in a bottom 6/penalty killing role.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Nicholas Marzec