February 16, 2024
General Game Notes: Tied game through two periods, until Fargo netted one thirty seconds into the third that proved to be the winner. This was a disciplined game from the Force not putting the Lancers on the power play one time during the game. Opportunities were hard to come by for the Lancers also getting out shot 51 to 20.
Leo Gruba (D, R, 6’1″, 209, Fargo Force, 12/14/2003, Minnesota)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Gruba was able to display natural offensive instincts as a defenseman tonight. He owns a great shot and size, and likes to join the attack. Could stand to improve in other areas of the game, such as skating and defensive coverage. At times tonight he lacked the jump to loose pucks and to close on players defensively, like he was saving energy for the rush. No doubt he was one of the better players on the ice, and has shown this type of activation, just not tonight.
Michael Quinn (D, R, 5’11”, 173, Fargo Force, 03/25/2003, Miami (Ohio))
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Quinn showed tonight that both his feet and mind are constantly racing to find ways to cut time and space from the opposition. He offsets his smaller size with superior agility and quickness, by using a longer stick, by leveraging his lower center of gravity in board battles, and by closing his gap on opponents as quickly as possible all over the ice. He defends quick, the same way he produced offense. With the puck making quick decisions all over the ice quick snapped passes.
Zam Plante (C, L, 5’10”, 170, Fargo Force, 08/24/2004, Minnesota Duluth)
Game Grade: B
Comments: His shot may be the best of Plante’s offensive tools, but it’s not the only one. He is also a reasonably deft handler, with the skill to blend pass receptions into dangles, deceptive maneuvering, and a sound mechanical base with the puck almost always handled in his hip pocket, and at top speed. He is smaller in size, but drives the net and first in the corner, initiating checks to counter his size.
Reid Daavettila (C, R, 6’2″, 192, Fargo Force, 05/04/2005, Michigan Tech)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Daavettila has raw offensive instincts and consistently exhibits both the strength and skill to power through to the net and create offensive chances. Tonight he was able to show good net-drive technique and his shot is a constant, but underused, threat. Needs to learn how to create time and space for line mates, and to use his underrated speed to create separation quicker. Transition is game under construction but once he finds that part of his game, he will spend more time in the offensive zone. At times he would make passes to his teammates under pressure, handing of a problem he had to his line mate.
Iiro Hakkarainen (LW, L, 6’0″, 171, Fargo Force, 03/09/2004, Western Michigan)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Hakkarainen showed tonight that he skates very well with balance and noteworthy speed, and handles the puck with ease and control at top speeds. Displays a dangerously accurate shot that he is never hesitant to use and is often a threat in the offensive zone. Uses his frame well, to protect the puck, as well as to impose physically upon the opposition. Defensively stable and actively cuts off passing and shooting lanes.
Brandon Svoboda (C, R, 6’3″, 208, Fargo Force, 02/04/2005, Boston University)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Svoboda is a smart two-way forward. He showed tongiht that he will take care of his defensive responsibilities, but also contributes offensively with good speed, technical skills and playmaking ability. Multiple times, he chased in his own end to stay on a player, create a turnover, then still have the gas to get up into the play. Not an overly physical player, but he gets involved. Works hard in the face off circle for win 50/50 loose pucks, small detail but his team started with some more pucks because of it.
Brasen Boser (D, L, 5’11”, 179, Fargo Force, 02/29/2004, Miami (Ohio))
Game Grade: B
Comments: Boser is a defenseman with a good all-around game and two-way ability. He was rarely caught out of position defensively. He was very good one on one against opponents and plays the body on a regular basis. He is an agile skater, but could improve his jump at the puck. When he has the time and space at the blue line, he is able to get a powerful and accurate shot off.
Mac Swanson (C, L, 5’8″, 167, Fargo Force, 01/10/2006, North Dakota)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Swanson has the ability to produce strong numbers due to his intense style of play. Tenacity and athleticism are well-represented by his slashing style of skating, cutting hard to the net and being able to hold onto the puck for that extra second and open the ice up. Creativity and offensive instincts are coveted assets that Swanson possesses, where he is able show exceptional vision with seam passes and slip passes. When he gets everything behind his quick wrist shot, he can put it on a string.
Andrew DellaSalla (LW, L, 6’0″, 169, Omaha Lancers, 05/08/2006, Harvard)
Game Grade: B
Comments: DellaSalla did a good job tonight at taking pucks off the wall in the offensive zone and created space for himself. He uses his body to protect the puck from the oncoming hit, absorbs the check, and uses it as momentum to get into open space. A couple extra moves on his way to the net caused some missed chances where he could have let shots go. When he was able to get shots off, he did a good job at not over stick handling and made his release quick forcing the goalie to off position in some cases.
Camron VanSickle (F, L, 6’0″, 195, Omaha Lancers, 02/24/2004, Denver)
Game Grade: B-
Comments: VanSickle is a gritty, hard-working forward with a larger frame. He can be an agile skater for his size and when he wants to the puck he has some explosiveness to his game. Protecting the puck he exhibits strength at both ends of the ice. Not the most physical player, but that side of his game will come naturally as he develops more bullish instincts. Will battle and works hard to win puck possession on open ice, along the boards, and in the corners.
Will Elger (RW, R, 6’2″, 173, Omaha Lancers, 12/29/2004, Providence)
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Elger has some plus-level skating, a well-maintained mental map of the ice through constant scanning, a willingness to play the body and cut opponents off at the hands. Great lines to the puck makes Elger an excellent forechecking presence and will finish checks. He is an absolute nuisance on offensive zone retrievals, unrelenting in his pursuit, working every bit as smart as he is working hard. Needed to control puck management tonight along with the rest of his team.
David Deputy (C, R, 5’9″, 161, Omaha Lancers, 06/25/2004, RIT)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Deputy was able to show tonight that every play he makes, every pass, and every route he takes toward the offensive zone, they all serve one purpose and that is getting open to fire from the high slot. When he does reach that spot, every puck that touches his stick is immediately fired on net. Sometimes with blinders on, he lets it fly. He has a great shot and can connect in a lot of different ways. He needs to use his skating to get to these areas, if he gets bumped, he tends to cause turnovers.
Photo Credit: dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Ben Marshall