
Game played on 11/01/2024.
General Game Notes: Muskegon came out hard and physical. The Lumberjacks were able to draw a penalty just under 5 minutes into the game. Muskegon capitalized on the power-play when a blocked shot deflected out to Chase Stefanek and he one-timed the puck past the Rough Riders goalie. Later in the first period Muskegon scored again on another one-timer in the slot from Ryan Aaronson to put the Lumberjacks up 2-0, on the road. This goal seemed to wake the Rough Riders up and they went to work and controlled much of the momentum from there on out. However, they were unable to reduce the lead until 5:45 into the second period on a short handed goal scored by Kole Hyles. The ice was slanted towards the Muskegon end the rest of the period and Cedar Rapids was able to tie the game at the 15 minute mark of the second period on a goal scored by Charles Blanchard. Going into the third period the game was tied 2-2 and once again Cedar Rapids came out and pushed the pace. However, a Rough Riders penalty 14:08 into the third period proved costly. On the Muskegon power-play David Klee was posted up in front of the net and was able to tip a point shot through the legs of the Cedar Rapids goalie giving the Lumberjacks a 3-2 lead late in the game. Muskegon added an empty net goal with 4 seconds left in the game, scored by Chase Stefanek( for his second of the game) to win the game 4-2.
Maxon Vig (D, L, 6’2″, 196, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 11/17/2005, Bemidji State)
Grade: B+
Comments: Maxon had an impressive rush in the second period. He opened up in his own corner for a pass from his goalie. He exploded up the ice skating past a forechecker and made a backhand saucer pass through two guys, to spring a breakaway for his forward. He was a one man breakout. He used the net and moved his feet up the ice, kicked the puck out wide and drove the net creating another scoring chance. Maxon also showed grit when he turned the puck over at the offensive blue line. The attacking player had a step on him but he hustled back and was able to shut the play down just inside his own blue line.
Amine Hajibi (LW, L, 6’1″, 185, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 05/05/2005, Northeastern)
Grade: B+
Comments: Amine used his skill and creativity to create offense. He used crossover and stick handling and went end to end before pulling up at the hash marks in the offensive zone and found an open player in the slot for a good scoring chance. On another rush he pulled up again. This time he let the defender come to him and spun off and fed a behind the back backhand pass right on his line mate’s tape for another scoring chance.
James Mackey (D, L, 6’6″, 245, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 10/15/2005, Harvard)
Grade: B
Comments: Mackey was hard to miss out on the ice. HIs big body and powerful stride make him stand out. He joined the rush regularly and created scoring chances as the second wave. He sacrificed his body and blocked shots on the penalty kill. Later in the game, he joined the play up ice and had a middle lane drive that he was nearly rewarded for. In his own zone he won battles below his own goal line. The whole night when he moved the puck he attacked up the ice.
Kole Hyles (C, R, 6’0″, 189, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 01/16/2006, New Hampshire)
Grade: B
Comments: Kole was getting involved in the physical play to start the game. He enjoyed stirring things up and starting scrums in front of both nets. He was able to score Cedar Rapids first goal of the game on the penalty kill. He pressured the puck up the ice and forced a turnover that led to a grade A scoring chance in the slot. After forcing the turnover he went to the net and collected a rebound that he put through the goalie’s five hole for a goal.
Charles Blanchard (C, R, 6’0″, 185, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 01/18/2005, Miami (Ohio))
Grade: B+
Comments: Charles scored the 2nd Rough Riders goal. Cedar Rapids went in on the odd man rush and Charles bought time and the third guy. Nick Romeo was driving wide and pulled the puck to his backhand and found Blanchard alone in front of the net. Charles one-timed the puck into the wide open net to tie the game at 2.
Ryan Aaronson (C, L, 5’11”, 177, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 01/15/2007, Harvard)
Grade: B
Comments: Ryan used his speed to hop around a defenseman and win the puck. He cycled the puck behind the net to change sides of the ice and skated up high into the offensive zone. He settled into a dead area away from defenders and scored above the goalies pad on a one-timer from the tops of the circles.
Jack Galanek (C, L, 5’11”, 173, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 06/04/2006, UMass Amherst)
Grade: B
Comments: Jack was a force on the penalty kill. He was aggressive and prevented the Rough Riders from changing sides of the ice. He used both good stick positioning and skating to take away time and space, He added an assist on the game winning goal. He was up top on the power-play and put the puck to the net knowing he had net front presence and Klee was able to tip the puck in.
David Klee (C, L, 6’3″, 182, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 05/10/2005, North Dakota)
Grade: A-
Comments: David drew a penalty in the first period with his hard work and his ability to get under the skin of his opponents. When punched he did not retaliate and this led to a power-play opportunity for the Lumberjacks, which they eventually scored on. Klee went to the hard areas of the ice every shift. He played an in your face game and seemed to enjoy the physical play. He made strong plays down below the opponents goal line and would move the puck and attack the net. His hard nosed play paid off late in the game while playing net front on the power-play. He was able to redirect a shot from the point in between the goalie’s legs to score the game winning goal.
Chase Stefanek (C, L, 6’2″, 199, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 08/01/2006, Harvard)
Grade: A-
Comments: Chase scored the first goal of the game on the power-play. He was playing on the right side of the umbrella and as the puck was on the other side of the ice worked himself closer to the face-off dot. A shot attempt from the other side was blocked and the puck bounced right to him and he was able to one- time the puck past the reaching goalie. He scored his second goal of the game with 4 seconds left on an empty net goal. He corralled the puck on the wall at his own hash marks and was to score on the empty net from his own end.
Luka Radivojevic (D, R, 5’10”, 161, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 01/03/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Luka skated around effortlessly. He was always underneath his defensive partner on neutral zone regroups. When he received the puck he looked to move the puck north right away and made crisp tape to tape passes to his wingers. Luka did a great job of scanning the ice before picking up the puck so he could make plays quickly and cleanly. He recorded an assist on the first goal. He was running the blue line on the power-play and changed sides, opening up a shot for his flank.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images