Game played on 12/12/2024.
General Game Notes: December 12, 2024 – USHL action between home team Lincoln Stars and visitors Sioux City Musketeers. The Musketeers led by 38 saves from Samuel Urban #31, and three points from Trey Jefferis #10 had a successful game on the road, erasing a goal deficit in the second period, ultimately winning the game by a final score of 5-2.
Will Prowse (G, L, 6’0″, 167, Lincoln Stars, 12/18/2006)
Grade: C+
Comments: Prowse came into the game and performed admirably when called upon, displaying strong mental toughness and readiness for the challenge. He was calm under pressure, playing with intensity and a focused demeanor throughout the game. Compact in his positioning, Prowse did a solid job of sealing off any holes and tracking pucks effectively, keeping his team in the game despite the scoreboard.
Alex Pelletier (LW, L, 5’10”, 189, Lincoln Stars, 06/01/2005, Cornell)
Grade: B-
Comments: Pelletier is an explosive forward who creates offensive opportunities with his speed and quick decision-making. Throughout the game, he was able to generate several good scoring chances, especially off the rush. He uses one of his key strengths – his quick release, which he likes to use in the middle ice, off the rush scenerios.
Andrew DellaSalla (LW, L, 6’0″, 185, Lincoln Stars, 05/08/2006, Harvard)
Grade: B
Comments: DellaSalla is a skilled, rangy forward who uses his size and skating ability to create space and generate offense. He’s particularly effective at carrying the puck into the offensive zone, where his edge work and deceptive moves allow him to navigate through defenders. He excels at driving wide, then quickly stopping on a dime to curl back up the ice, where he can hit a trailer or find teammates entering the zone with speed. Throughout the game, DellaSalla showed a keen ability to create offensive opportunities by using his size and skill to gain separation from defenders. His strong skating allows him to open up passing lanes and deliver accurate passes to teammates in open ice. He combines his physicality with a high hockey IQ to make plays at top speed, consistently supporting the play and generating chances for himself and others.
Daniel Shlaine (C, L, 6’1″, 172, Lincoln Stars, 10/30/2005, Minnesota Duluth)
Grade: B+
Comments: Schlaine is a key offensive driver for Lincoln, consistently pushing the pace with his speed and skill. He has a dynamic, crafty style of play, especially on the rush, where he combines his quick skating with excellent puck handling. While he is capable of taking the shot himself, Schlaine often looks to involve his teammates, demonstrating strong vision and unselfishness in creating offensive opportunities. He scored the second goal of the game by picking up a loose puck, attacking the middle of the ice with speed, and unleashing a quick, powerful shot that beat the goaltender. His release is lightning fast, and the power behind his shot makes him a legitimate scoring threat from anywhere in the offensive zone.
Bruno Idzan (C, L, 6’1″, 195, Lincoln Stars, 01/16/2006)
Grade: B+
Comments: Idzan plays with a high level of confidence and an edge that stands out in all situations. He has the ability to make high-end plays in the offensive zone, showcasing his skill and composure with the puck. In the first period, he displayed his confidence when he picked up the puck, attacked the middle of the ice, and fired a laser through the defenders’ legs to beat the goaltender. His celebration, followed by a quick bump to his opponent, reflected both his intensity and competitive nature. Throughout the game, Idzan was consistently involved, whether off the rush or in 5-on-5 play. He doesn’t shy away from attacking the middle of the ice, and his fearless approach allows him to create scoring chances for himself and his teammates. His offensive awareness and creativity are evident, as he’s able to generate opportunities in tight spaces and make plays at high speed.
Etienne^Lessard|
Grade: B
Comments: Lessard is a skilled puck-moving defenseman who excels when he has the puck on his stick. He is more comfortable and effective in offensive situations, often carrying the puck up the ice and leading the transition. His skating and awareness allow him to move the puck into the offensive zone with ease, and he isn’t afraid to follow the play and take chances that can generate offensive opportunities. While not overly defensive-minded, Lessard’s skating ability helps limit his time in the defensive zone. He uses his speed to escape pressure and quickly move the puck up ice, avoiding long stretches of time spent in his own end. He’s aggressive in his approach, willing to take risks that can result in high-reward plays, though this sometimes leaves him vulnerable defensively.
Tanner Henricks (D, R, 6’3″, 194, Lincoln Stars, 07/25/2006, St. Cloud)
Grade: B
Comments: Henricks is a reliable, two-way defenseman who contributes in all situations. He uses his size effectively to win puck battles, box out opponents, and clear the crease. His solid positioning and hockey sense make him a dependable defender in his own zone, where he excels at reading the play, disrupting passes, and maintaining tight gaps. Offensively, Henricks is quick to transition the puck, moving it up the ice with good skating and decision-making. He’s also capable of joining the rush when needed, getting pucks deep into the offensive zone and driving them toward the net when the opportunity arises.
Samuel Urban (G, L, 6’0″, 210, Sioux City Musketeers, 05/01/2005, Arizona State)
Grade: B+
Comments: Urban plays a calm, composed game between the pipes, combining solid technical ability with strong athleticism. He’s especially effective in rush scenarios, where he does an excellent job of gapping up and getting out on top of his crease to cut down shooting angles. His positioning allows him to stay square to the puck, making timely and controlled saves. One of his standout qualities is his rebound control. Urban excels at limiting second-chance opportunities, quickly smothering pucks or calmly pushing them into the corners when necessary. His ability to seal off holes and stay composed under pressure makes him a reliable presence in net. He’s also solid on his posts, moving well laterally on low-to-high plays and tracking pucks through traffic with poise.
Liam Hupka (D, R, 6’3″, 181, Sioux City Musketeers, 06/25/2005, Minnesota State)
Grade: B
Comments: Hupka played an impactful role on the penalty kill, using his size and strength to dominate in the defensive zone. He was particularly effective net-front, clearing bodies and allowing his goaltender to see pucks clearly. He also excelled at boxing out opponents early and ensuring that pucks didn’t get through to dangerous areas. When it came to battles along the boards, Hupka was strong on the puck, consistently winning duels and getting the puck out of harm’s way when needed. In addition to his strong defensive play, Hupka is a well-rounded player with a solid two-way game. He’s capable of making key offensive contributions but doesn’t overcomplicate his play—he understands when to keep things simple, focusing on the right plays rather than the flashy ones.
Trey Jefferis (LW, L, 5’10”, 192, Sioux City Musketeers, 07/29/2005, Sacred Heart)
Grade: B+
Comments: Jefferis had an outstanding performance against the Stars, contributing with two goals and one assist. He plays a well-rounded game and is effective in all situations, including on the penalty kill, where he even contributed with a short-handed goal. His quick release, combined with the power and accuracy of his shot, makes him a constant threat around the net. Both of his goals showcased his ability to get the puck off quickly and precisely, beating the goaltender with minimal time and space. Jefferis is hard on his stick and sturdy on his skates, which allows him to battle in the tough areas of the ice. His ability to drive to the net and get shots off in high-traffic areas was directly responsible for creating scoring chances and ultimately finding the back of the net.
Gavin Garry (D, L, 6’2″, 185, Sioux City Musketeers, 06/07/2005, St. Thomas)
Grade: C+
Comments: Garry is a big-bodied forward who plays a physical, hard-nosed game. He isn’t afraid to engage in physical battles, regularly using his size to shield the puck and absorb hits while maintaining possession. His ability to protect the puck in tight areas, particularly along the boards, makes him a valuable player in cycle situations and a difficult player to move off the puck.
Giacomo Martino (LW, L, 5’10”, 181, Sioux City Musketeers, 04/29/2005, Northeastern)
Grade: B-
Comments: Martino showcased his speed and skill throughout the game, consistently attacking offensively and creating opportunities for his team. He’s a highly creative player with the puck, often using his agility and vision to challenge defenders in one-on-one situations. While he had a quieter night on the score sheet, his presence in the offensive zone was evident. He made smart, quick decisions with the puck, using his skating to gain separation and create chances for himself and his teammates.
Landen Gunderson (C, R, 6’1″, 190, Sioux City Musketeers, 11/28/2004, Ohio State)
Grade: B+
Comments: Gunderson has a unique ability to control the puck under pressure, remaining calm and composed in all situations. He consistently carries the puck into the offensive zone, using his smooth edge work and keeping his head up to survey the ice. His poise with the puck allows him to make smart decisions while maintaining control, even when defenders are closing in on him. He excels at creating space and buying time in the offensive zone, often wheeling around to set up plays and find teammates in scoring positions. Gunderson’s ability to find open ice was evident when he scored the fourth goal of the game, the insurance marker. He filtered into the slot unnoticed and delivered a quick, powerful one-timer that beat the goaltender cleanly. This play showcased his knack for finding open lanes and his quick release, both of which make him a constant offensive threat. Gunderson’s combination of puck control, vision, and ability to execute under pressure make him a dangerous player in all offensive situations.
Nicolas Sykora (C, L, 6’0″, 175, Sioux City Musketeers, 05/24/2007, Quinnipiac)
Grade: B
Comments: Sykora is a high-energy forward with a lot of great qualities that make him a threat in all situations. He’s relentless on the forecheck, using his long reach and tenacity to disrupt plays and force turnovers. His ability to apply pressure and create chaos in the offensive zone leads to opportunities, as shown on the first goal of the game—he was all over the forecheck, made a strong cycle play, and drove the net hard. His presence created the chaos that allowed a teammate to score off a rebound. Offensively, Sykora is skilled and shows great vision. He makes smart plays off the rush, quickly reading the game and knowing where to put the puck to generate chances. Whether he’s carrying the puck or distributing it, he demonstrates good decision-making and a strong understanding of how to create offense.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
