Game played on 10/18/2024.
General Game Notes: The Muskegon Lumberjacks controlled Team USA with a convincing 7-2 victory. Muskegon took control of the game early in the second period, with their offense scoring four goals unanswered. They overwhelmed Team USA with a balanced scoring effort, getting contributions from multiple players. Despite a couple of goals from Team USA, Muskegon’s defense remained solid, and their goaltender made key saves when needed. The Lumberjacks relentless pressure and efficient special teams were too much for Team USA to handle, securing a decisive win. Scout: Ben Marshall
Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev (G, L, 6’2″, 170, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 10/26/2004, Michigan Tech)
Grade: B+
Comments: Gadzhiev did a good job showing off his movements tonight , his explosive lateral movement is the first thing that jumps out on the ice. He does not normally set up aggressively in terms of his depth, but he is aggressive in his approach. Gadzhiev is not afraid to hone in on a shooter and leave more room at the back door because he feels like he can cover that area with the strength that he possesses. This approach works well for him in most scenarios, but he struggles to abandon this mindset on the penalty kill, which can lead to some goals against. Gadzhiev is a technically sound net minder, who is also athletic, and that combination gives him a great foundation to stop pucks. His rebound control is solid for a younger net minder, and he rarely gave up second chances back into the slot.
Luka Radivojevic (D, R, 5’10”, 161, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 01/03/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: With his head up and walking the blue line, Radivojevic created his own lane from the point using his deceptive footwork and overall mobility. What looked like a goal at first was his shot that was tipped after walking the perimeter evading a couple different blockers looking to stop him from creating yet another chance at the net. Offensively, he made great decisions with and without the puck. He understands when to pinch in and when to hold back. He understands when he can try a risky long pass and when he should choose his first option. But he is clearly as his best when he has the puck in the offensive zone with a little space, his skating is important to his game and can take over a possession. He does a good job at not only manipulating the opponents in front of him but the entire defensive zone coverage.
Teddy Spitznagel (F, L, 6’2″, 187, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 04/06/2006, Michigan)
Grade: B+
Comments: Spitznagel scored a goal tonight that looked like a lot of the other goals that were scored for his team. Alone in the slot, where he had time and space to pick a corner on the goalie, and capitalized on his opportunity. It was an impressive goal where he did not need to stickhandle the puck, rather just collect it, and with his head up, show his the power behind his quick release. By incorporating techniques to alter his release point, Spitznagel could add another dimension to his shooting, making it even harder for goaltenders to stay square to his shot. He was able to make some great plays but sometimes forces the puck into tough, heavily defended areas of the ice. When his team is not properly set up to recover possession or contain a counterattack, these risky decisions can backfire, leading to turnovers that leave his team vulnerable.
Tynan Lawrence (F, L, 6’0″, 168, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 08/03/2008, Boston University)
Grade: B+
Comments: Lawrence has some jets, and showed them off during one of his teammates goals where he got the assist flying down the wall and taking the puck to the back post. After he blew by the defensemen standing flat footed, he tried to then beat the goal far side where the puck was left sitting at the net for his teammate to take the two to zero lead. Lawrence does play hard but without proper space he can get squished into the boards pretty easily. Do not rely on him to work the corners of the ice and win physical puck battles. He avoids giving hits and he did a tough job avoiding them at times, costing turn overs in areas you would not expect from him
Kurt Gurkan (F, L, 5’9″, 180, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 02/13/2004, Yale)
Grade: B
Comments: Scored a nice goal planting himself in front of the net and burrying home a rebound. Gurkan is smaller in stature but that does not allow him to get pushed around in areas of importance on the ice, for example, the front of the net. When Gurkan receives a less than perfect pass a common occurrence in some of the rushes up the ice, he often struggles to get a clean shot off, especially when shooting off balance or from awkward angles. When Gurkan closes in on guys with the puck, he does a good job at shifting his weight and can deftly push the puck past the defender’s heels, effectively taking them out of the play. Defensively he will not deliver crushing hits but he was able to show tonight that he is effective because of his positioning and active stick.
Vaclav Nestrasil (F, R, 6’4″, 187, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 04/06/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Nestrasil has a unique combination of being smooth with his skating and being one of the bigger players on the ice. He was able to show off hands that look like they should be on a smaller skilled forward that opened up the back door for his teammate on a two on one. What he is able to do that sets him a part as a big man is keep the puck close to his body. He can play that skilled game the way he is able to make small area puck plays but also use his size as a factor is his game. His long stride helps him break out of the defensive zone quickly and gain speed in the neutral zone and control the puck in the offensive zone. Defensively, especially on the forecheck, Nestrasil excels at predicting the opposing teams intentions, timing his movements to intercept breakouts behind the net or along the boards.
Chase Stefanek (C, L, 6’2″, 199, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 08/01/2006, Harvard)
Grade: A-
Comments: With three points on the night, Stefanek brought a lot of offense to the game tonight. The big man plots himself at the top of the crease and looks for rebounds and he brushes off contact from opposing defenseman. He looks sturdy and plays that way when contact is applied, he still has his head up looking for the next play because he is not worried about the smaller defenseman looking to remove him from the puck. He not only finishes checks when the opportunity arises but also actively seeks out contact. In his own zone, he sometimes becomes overly focused on the puck carrier, which can cause him to lose track of his defensive assignment and create gaps that skilled players will take advantage of. His skating helps him recover most of the time.
Luke Carrithers (G, L, 6’1″, 186, USA NTDP U17, 01/11/2008)
Grade: B-
Comments: Carrithers saw a lot of shots tonight. Obviously not his best night but did not have the best of help either. He made some quality save amongst all of the high quality chances that were being taken at him, he deserves more credit that the score board tonight. The young goalie stood his ground not letting up a goal in the first period. His ability to transition in and out of reverse-VH is quick and efficient, which makes him very effective on low-to-high passing plays. If the puck is worked around the zone for an extended time, he has a tendency to get too low and wide in his stance. That makes him susceptible to one-timer opportunities when he gets caught flat-footed.
JP Hurlbert (C, R, 5’11”, 176, NTDP U17, 04/01/2008, Michigan)
Grade: B
Comments: Hurlbert actaully did well with contact and was able to show tonight that he can thrive under pressure despite his smaller stature and is incredibly difficult to contain. Defensively, he is uncomfortable holding the puck in his own zone for long and makes the extra effort to pressure opponents at the blue line, disrupting cross ice plays. The moment he gains possession, he’s the first to explode up the ice in transition. His defining trait is his exceptional goal-scoring ability. His shot leaps off his stick and his low center of gravity allows him to handle the puck with speed and flair. Hurlbert constantly creates opportunities for his line mates, using the attention he draws to generate time and space by pulling defenders toward him. Always tough to play against, his relentless pace and creativity make him hard to cover for opposing teams. He consistently makes the most difficult plays look effortless, solidifying why he wants the puck so much offensively.
Luke Schairer (D, R, 6’2″, 186, USA NTDP U17, 01/30/2008, Boston University)
Grade: B
Comments: Schairer was able to show a lot of the time tonight that his game is defined by his physicality, using his size to deliver important hits and pins along the wall. He can dominate in the corners and can be a hard to play against in front of the net. He did not handle the puck often tonight but did show the ability to position the puck in his hip pocket, and be a threat on the breakout, making deceptive passes up the ice. This stance not only disguises his next move but also enhances his ability to switch from pass to shot and add some deception to his game, this was obviously more relevant in the offensive zone. Shairer is one of the bigger defensemen on his team and has that presence about him, he showed offensively that when he has that time and space to create, he adds new dimensions to his game.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images