Played on Dec 11, 2025
Game Played in Scheels Arena
General Game Notes: December 11, 2025 Sioux City Musketeers at Fargo Force — A tightly contested matchup stayed locked at 1-1 through two periods before the Sioux City Musketeers erupted for four unanswered goals in the third, powering their way to a decisive 5-1 victory over the Fargo Force. Trey Jeffries (#10) delivered a standout performance, leading the surge with two goals and an assist. His scoring touch and playmaking sparked the Musketeers’ late-game explosion and secured the win on the road.
Luke McNamara (C, L, 6’3″, 187, Fargo Force, 03/02/2005, Western Michigan)
Game Rating
B
McNamara’s game is built around his ability to win puck battles and keep things simple. He effectively chips pucks in and out of the zone, allowing for quick transitions and maintaining possession. His forechecking is aggressive, always pressuring the opposing team to disrupt their play.
1 Viewing
Comments: McNamara is a solid two-way forward who brings a physical element to the game every shift. He’s big and strong, consistently using his body to pressure opponents in both the defensive and offensive zones. He wins numerous battles along the boards and in front of the net, generating puck possession and creating opportunities to work into high-danger areas. In the slot, he demonstrates excellent awareness, getting his stick on loose pucks, positioning himself effectively, and capitalizing on quick, bang-bang plays. Beyond his physicality, he also shows patience and smart decision-making, making him a reliable presence in all three zones.
Zaide Penner (D, R, 5’11”, 187, Fargo Force, 07/08/2008, North Dakota)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Penner is a smart two-way defenseman who excels in his own end, relying on positioning and angles rather than pure physicality. He plays with a high hockey IQ, reading plays and using his instincts to anticipate the flow of the game. Offensively, he finds ways to get pucks to the net-nothing flashy, but he demonstrates a solid skill set by creating space, finding open ice, and getting quick wrist shots on goal.
Wyatt Sypniewski (RW, L, 6’1″, 202, Fargo Force, 05/09/2007, Providence)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Sypniewski consistently put himself in shooting positions, with his first-period goal serving as a perfect example. He filtered into the net-front area and one-timed a seam pass past the goaltender. The goal highlighted his quick release and natural goal-scorer’s instincts, traits he displayed throughout the game. On multiple occasions, he found soft ice in the slot and was able to get pucks off his stick quickly, generating second-chance opportunities. Although he only scored one goal, he had multiple chances and was a real offensive driver. Beyond his shooting ability, he also showed strong vision, finding teammates effectively-particularly in rush situations.
Cullen McCrate (D, R, 6’1″, 201, Fargo Force, 04/18/2007, Michigan State)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: McCrate plays an underrated, no-nonsense style of game. He’s not the flashiest player on the ice, but he’s highly effective in the defensive zone and on the penalty kill. Using his size to fill lanes and block shots, he consistently frustrates opponents. Offensively, he keeps it simple, rarely forcing plays, and consistently makes the smart, often ‘right,’ decision with the puck.
Axel Lofgren (D, L, 6’3″, 201, Fargo Force, 06/22/2005, UMass Amherst)
Game Rating
B+
Axel Lofgren showcases a well-rounded skill set as a defenseman, combining size, poise, and agility. He excels in the neutral zone, leveraging his reach and puck placement to control the play and limit opponents’ access. With a smooth skating stride, he can seamlessly transition from defense to offense, often initiating attacks with precise puck placement. Lofgren is also mindful of his own end zone responsibilities, looking to create turnovers and jump-start his team’s offense. His awareness and willingness to take on these challenges demonstrate significant upside potential in his development as a defenseman.
1 Viewing
Comments: Lofgren demonstrated a willingness to compete in his own end, finishing checks and disrupting plays with an active stick. When disrupting plays, he can start the transition play. He is an excellent passer in all three zones, confidently delivering tape-to-tape passes. Offensively, his passing creates opportunities for both himself and his teammates. For example, he can draw opponents toward him-particularly on the blue line-and quickly thread passes into open ice. He consistently plays with his head up, allowing him to read the game effectively and anticipate where pressure is coming from.
Caleb Kim (RW, R, 5’11”, 157, Fargo Force, 12/28/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Caleb Kim made a standout play in the first period, protecting the puck along the half-wall, keeping his head up, and, while in motion, threading a beautiful pass to a teammate in the slot. It was a small glimpse of his potential-showing his ability to pick up pucks, rely on his instincts, and create plays with his vision.
Eero Butella (RW, R, 6’3″, 197, Fargo Force, 02/21/2006, Northeastern)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Butella is a big, power-forward-type player who owns a good skill set and plays a 200-foot game. He is able to attack off the rush with speed, often driving the middle lane, pushing back opponents, and creating plays from there. He has the skill set to make plays under pressure, which he showed by slipping passes through opposing players’ ‘triangles’ and getting pucks to the net. He is a big, physical player who uses his size to his advantage in all three zones, frequently coming up with 50/50 pucks along the walls by using his long reach and body positioning effectively.
Ryder Shea (G, L, 6’1″, 202, Sioux City Musketeers, 05/04/2006, Maine)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Shea had an underrated performance, quietly backstopping his team to a 4-1 victory while making 36 saves. He showed a calm demeanor in net, never panicking through traffic, consistently tracking pucks, getting low to the ice, and making controlled saves. He demonstrated a strong understanding of when to challenge shooters and when to play more passively, reading plays well and showcasing his hockey IQ. In certain scenarios, he challenged outside his blue paint, getting to pucks before screens could take effect. This was evident in his ability to make saves and control play. He displayed quick hands and was hit in the belly often, which is indicative of his ability to stay square to the puck.
Matej Teply (D, L, 6’1″, 198, Sioux City Musketeers, 03/02/2005, Vermont)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Teply is a smooth-skating defender with a good set of hands, which he displayed when given time and space. On puck retrievals, he made simple, efficient plays, opting to hit his teammates’ tape rather than throwing the puck away. Offensively, it was much of the same. He showed confidence by joining the rush, helping gain zone entries, and making subtle slip plays to his teammates, particularly off the rush. Overall, he possesses a strong skill set to go along with a well-rounded, solid game.
P. Edward Jefferis (LW, L, 5’10”, 192, Sioux City Musketeers, 07/29/2005, Northeastern)
Game Rating
B
Jefferis demonstrated a solid all-around game, contributing significantly with his goal-scoring abilities. He effectively utilized his quick release and shot power to create scoring opportunities, often beating goaltenders with precise shots. His ability to drive to the net and generate shots in high-traffic areas was particularly effective.
1 Viewing
Comments: Jefferis’ shot is a legitimate weapon. He owns a quick release with real power behind it and consistently works his way into scoring areas, finding different ways to get pucks on net. He scored off the rush by filtering into the middle of the ice and ripping a bullet top shelf, beating the goaltender cleanly. Defensively, he’s fairly responsible and contributes to the team game. Even when caught on the ice for extended shifts, he doesn’t force plays. Instead, he makes simple, smart decisions that allow either himself or his linemates to get off the ice and live to fight another day.
Pavel Martinu (LW, L, 6’4″, 213, Sioux City Musketeers, 12/20/2007, New Hampshire)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Martinu contributed on the scoresheet with two assists. He’s a bigger forward who made plays and was able to attack off the rush. He isn’t afraid to lean on opponents, lowering his shoulder, extending the puck, and doing what he can to get to the net. When he moves his feet and plays with pace and physicality, he’s clearly an effective player. The next step in his game is maintaining that level of engagement and consistency shift in and shift out.
Luke Garry (C, L, 5’11”, 168, Sioux City Musketeers, 06/07/2005)
Game Rating
B
Luke Garry brings a physical presence to the game, using his body to create momentum for his team through assertive play. His chip plays are effective in advancing the puck or setting up teammates, demonstrating a straightforward approach that yields results.
1 Viewing
Comments: Garry brings an all-around presence when he’s on the ice. He plays with physicality, finishes his checks, and contributes in all facets of the game. He scored a goal by driving the back post and finishing a well-executed back-door play. He consistently goes to the net, creating problems for opponents and opening up space. His well-rounded game is valuable, as he leads by example and consistently does the little things right.
William Tomko (C, R, 6’0″, 186, Sioux City Musketeers, 10/17/2006, Penn State)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Tomko is a playmaker who elevates those around him. He is an offensive driver, consistently funneling pucks into dangerous areas through a combination of skating, puck skill, and high-end vision. Whether creating off the rush or from set offense, he has a knack for dictating pace and pulling defenders out of position. On the opening goal, Tomko accepted a pass in the high slot and froze the defense with a convincing shot/pass fake before threading the puck back door to a teammate for a tap-in finish. The sequence highlighted his strengths: attacking prime scoring areas, deceiving opponents, and executing plays under pressure. When the puck is on his stick, offense follows.
Mason Stenger (D, L, 6’1″, 207, Sioux City Musketeers, 03/05/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Stenger plays a well-rounded game, prioritizing the defensive side before engaging offensively. He consistently killed plays in the defensive zone, particularly along the walls, using an active stick. Once plays were broken up, he made quick decisions up ice, joining the transition with sharp passes and a strong first stride. He is physical and strong on his skates, smothering opponents in the defensive zone and skating well enough to rarely get beaten. Offensively, he possesses the skill set to contribute, finding soft pockets and getting shots to the net when opportunities arise.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images