Game played om 11/23/2024.
General Game Notes: USHL action between the Madison Capitols and Sioux City Musketeers on November 23, 2024. After a quiet first period, the game opened up in the second, with both teams starting to find their rhythm. The Capitols ultimately took control of the game and built a lead. Despite a strong push by the Musketeers in the third period to mount a comeback, the Capitols held firm and secured the victory. Finn Brink, #27 for Madison, was the standout player, contributing two goals to lead his team to the 4-2 win.
Caleb Heil (G, L, 6’2″, 196, Madison Capitols, 06/17/2006, North Dakota)
Grade: B+
Comments: Heil displayed a composed and confident presence in the net, never looking rattled no matter the situation. His calm demeanor helped him maintain focus, and it was clear that he was in control, even during high-pressure moments. He played a compact style, keeping his body position tight and his hands close, which allowed him to track pucks well and minimize rebounds. He also handled traffic well, staying square to the puck and fighting through bodies in front to make some tough saves. His ability to stay patient and find the puck in chaotic situations was a key part of his game. Additionally, he moved smoothly post to post, using the RVH technique effectively to seal off the bottom of the net.
Austin Moline (D, R, 6’4″, 193, Madison Capitols, 11/21/2005, Colorado College)
Grade: A-
Comments: Moline is a standout, big-bodied defender who excels in all aspects of the game. Defensively, he’s tough to play against—he’s not afraid to use his size and physicality to shut down plays and eliminate any space for the opposition. He’s constantly engaged, not allowing opposing players any free ice, and his mean streak makes him a challenge in one-on-one battles. Offensively, Moline is just as impactful. He has the mobility to jump into the rush at the right moments, keeping his feet moving and beating defenders up the ice. Whether it’s with a powerful shot, a precise pass, or smart puck movement, he contributes offensively without ever losing his edge. On the second goal for the Capitols he was able to join the rush, receive a pass, get the puck to the net, creating a rebound that was whacked home.
Ronan Buckberger (D, L, 5’11”, 186, Madison Capitols, 03/03/2006, Ohio State)
Grade: B-
Comments: Buckberger showed awareness and hockey IQ, particularly when moving the puck out of his own zone. He made some crisp, smart passes, often looking for the stretch forward to quickly transition play and catch the opposition off guard. His ability to make those up-ice passes with precision showcased his vision and understanding of the game. He also moved well with the puck in the offensive zone, and when the opportunity arose, he was quick to catch and release shots on net creating chances.
Ivan Korodiuk (D, L, 6’4″, 190, Madison Capitols, 01/05/2004, Bowling Green)
Grade: B
Comments: Korodiuk’s individual effort on the first goal of the game was a thing of beauty and highlighted his skill set as a big, mobile defenseman. He took control of the puck behind his own net, then used his skating ability to accelerate up the ice, weaving through traffic with impressive agility for someone his size. Once he crossed into the offensive zone, he showed great vision, threading a perfect tape-to-tape pass to his teammate, who made no mistake finishing the play. This sequence was a perfect example of Korodiuk’s blend of speed, agility, and offensive instincts.
Ryker Lee (RW, R, 6’0″, 182, Madison Capitols, 11/08/2006, Michigan State)
Grade: B
Comments: Lee’s speed was a key asset throughout the game, allowing him to challenge defenders and create offensive opportunities. On the rush, he consistently used his quickness to drive wide, putting defenders on their heels before lowering his shoulder and attacking the net with force. His ability to stretch the defense with his skating made him a constant threat every time he entered the offensive zone. In addition to his speed, Lee’s edge-work stood out. He was able to spin off checks and make quick directional changes, often pulling up in the offensive zone to reset and survey the ice. His patience and vision were evident as he found his teammates in prime scoring positions, whether it was off a cycle or during a rush.
Aiden Long (LW, L, 6’2″, 200, Madison Capitols, 03/13/2005, Cornell)
Grade: B-
Comments: Long played a powerful, physical game throughout, using his size and strength to make an impact on both sides of the puck. His ability to win battles and protect the puck allowed him to get into the game and create space for himself and his teammates. His presence in the offensive zone was particularly noticeable when he opened the scoring. On the first goal of the game, Long showcased his ability to finish with authority. He took a well-timed pass off the rush in the high slot and fired a quick, accurate shot top shelf. The shot was impressive not only for its precision but also for its power, leaving the goaltender with little chance to react.
Mason Moe (C, L, 6’1″, 189, Madison Capitols, 03/26/2007, Minnesota)
Grade: B+
Comments: Moe was a steady presence along the boards, using his strength and smarts to protect the puck and make sure it stayed in the offensive zone. He wasn’t the type to throw pucks away blindly, instead maintaining control and waiting for the right opportunity to make a play. His patience and puck poise were on full display as he absorbed checks without panicking, holding onto the puck long enough to survey the ice and make the right decision. The combination of skill and strength allowed him to create some high-end chances, making him a stand-out player.
John Stout (D, L, 6’1″, 210, Madison Capitols, 04/20/2006, Wisconsin)
Grade: B
Comments: Stout was effective throughout the game, particularly in the offensive zone. He had a knack for reading pressure and positioning himself in areas where he could exploit the space, finding those quiet pockets on the ice that allowed him to get quality looks at the net. His awareness of the game was evident as he was able to find open lanes to move the puck, especially when things got congested. In addition to that, Stout showed solid mobility along the blue line, able to pivot and keep the puck moving up top to maintain zone pressure. He did a good job of getting pucks through traffic, avoiding blocked shots and turnovers.
Finn Brink (LW, L, 5’10”, 185, Madison Capitols, 04/06/2005, Wisconsin)
Grade: A-
Comments: Brink played a strong, well-rounded game that combined skill with a gritty, hard-nosed approach. His skating is a standout feature, as he was quick to get up the ice and position himself in scoring areas. Brink showed great poise with the puck, often collecting it and not rushing his decisions, which allowed him to create plenty of high-quality scoring chances. Whether it was driving the net or making smart passes, he consistently found ways to get pucks to the net. His stick-handling in tight spaces was also a key part of his game, as he was able to create room for himself and his linemates in crowded areas. This helped his team spend a lot of time in the offensive zone, cycling and generating chances. Brink’s determination to get to the net paid off on his second goal of the game, where he drove hard to the crease and capitalized on a loose rebound to finish it off.
Colton Jamieson (D, L, 6’0″, 199, Madison Capitols, 11/28/2004, St. Thomas)
Grade: B
Comments: Jamieson had a solid all-around performance, excelling in the little details that contribute to his team’s success. Defensively, his skating ability stood out, especially in the neutral zone, where he was able to quickly close gaps and shut down plays before they could develop. His ability to track back, whether skating forward or backward, allowed him to effectively pressure the puck carrier, giving opponents little time or space to make plays. Offensively, Jamieson was also a factor, doing a good job of positioning himself to get quality shots on net – He often filtered out wide, creating shooting lanes for himself and getting into position for one-timers.
Bjorn Bronas (G, L, 6’1″, 190, Sioux City Musketeers, 02/25/2007, Minnesota State)
Grade: B
Comments: Bronas had a strong outing in net, showcasing quick footwork and solid edge-work that allowed him to stay in control throughout the game. His ability to square up to shooters was key, as he made sure to challenge shots effectively, often stepping out on top of his crease to cut down the angles. His rebound control stood out, as he was typically able to direct pucks into safe areas or secure them without giving up second-chance opportunities. Even in the midst of traffic, Bronas was quick to get low and battle for pucks, using his decisiveness to track down rebounds and clear them when necessary. His positioning and poise in difficult situations allowed him to make some key saves, particularly when the game was still in the balance. Despite the loss, Bronas kept his team in it with his solid play, giving Madison every chance to stay in the fight and make a comeback.
Drake Murray (D, R, 6’1″, 200, Sioux City Musketeers, 03/29/2006, Harvard)
Grade: B
Comments: Murray played a solid game at both ends of the ice, showcasing his size and strength as a right-handed defenseman. He wasn’t hesitant to join the offensive rush, identifying pockets of space and quickly getting pucks to the net when the opportunity arose. His quick releases and ability to get shots through showed his awareness and offensive instincts. Defensively, Murray was strong in his own zone. He used his physicality to his advantage, being hard on opponents and sticking to his man, making it difficult for the opposition to get clean looks. While he did get caught flat-footed a few times in the neutral zone, overall, he played with a solid, hard-nosed approach that helped keep the pressure away from the front of the net.
Liam Hupka (D, R, 6’3″, 181, Sioux City Musketeers, 06/25/2005, Minnesota State)
Grade: B
Comments: Hupka is a reliable, well-rounded defender who excels at both ends of the ice. His size and physicality make him tough to play against in his own zone, where he does a great job of killing plays and preventing the opposition from generating much offense. He uses his reach and positioning to break up passes, block shots, and win battles along the boards. Offensively, Hupka’s big shot from the blue line is one of his key assets. He’s able to get pucks through traffic and on net, creating chances for deflections or rebounds.
Jackson Crowder (C, R, 6’3″, 184, Sioux City Musketeers, 04/26/2007, Ohio State)
Grade: B
Comments: Crowder played with a strong, power-forward presence throughout the game. He was effective at chipping pucks in past defenders, immediately following up with aggressive forechecking to win the puck back. His ability to disrupt the flow of play with his physical style created challenges for the opposition, as he wasn’t afraid to engage in battles along the boards or in the corners. When opponents tried to lean into him or throw hits his way, Crowder had no trouble standing them up, using his strength and balance to absorb contact and maintain possession. This combination of physicality and skill made him a tough player to defend against, as he not only won puck battles but also had the puck skills to make plays when called upon.
Giacomo Martino (LW, L, 5’10”, 181, Sioux City Musketeers, 04/29/2005, Northeastern)
Grade: A-
Comments: Martino played an instrumental role in his team’s efforts, despite the loss, showcasing his skill and hockey IQ with two key plays that led to goals. On the first goal, Martino’s relentless work ethic was on full display as he pressured the puck at the offensive blue line. His persistence created a turnover, and he quickly seized control of the puck before making a perfect back-door pass to his teammate, who made no mistake finishing the play. On the second goal, Martino made a similar play. He intercepted a loose pass in the neutral zone, immediately transitioning from defense to offense. With a burst of speed, he attacked his defender one-on-one, then unleashed a rocket of a shot top shelf, beating the goaltender cleanly. He hunted pucks in all three zones, had an active stick, all while making quick decisions. These traits were pivotal in creating offense for himself, but his line-mates too.
Dallas Vieau (LW, L, 6’0″, 182, Sioux City Musketeers, 03/20/2006, Penn State)
Grade: B-
Comments: Vieau was solid in the defensive zone, consistently putting himself in the right spots to disrupt his opponents offensive plays. He was particularly effective in blocking shots, willing to throw his body in front of multiple attempts to keep the puck out of harm’s way. One notable sequence came in the first period, where Vieau found himself in the shooting lanes on several consecutive attempts, showing his commitment to defending and doing whatever it took to help his team. It was evident it gave his team a spark as the bench erupted.
Landen Gunderson (F, R, 6’0″, 190, Sioux City Musketeers, 11/28/2004, Ohio State)
Grade: B
Comments: Gunderson was consistently in the right place at the right time, using his hockey sense to find soft spots in the defense and create scoring chances. He had a knack for sneaking behind defenders into open ice, particularly in tight areas where he could quickly get a shot off. He wasn’t afraid to engage physically either, especially in front of the net. Gunderson used his strong stick and determination to battle for position, winning puck battles and finding loose pucks when they were available. Gunderson’s goal was a perfect example of his ability to capitalize on opportunities. After a turnover, he quickly filtered to the back post and finished with a powerful one-timer, blasting it top shelf. His quick thinking and finishing ability were key in making the most of scoring chances, and he showed that he can be dangerous both around the net and in finding those critical spots to score.
Nicolas Sykora (C, L, 6’0″, 175, Sioux City Musketeers, 05/24/2007, Quinnipiac)
Grade: B-
Comments: Sykora certainly shows a lot of promise, with his blend of confidence and skill standing out on the ice. He’s not shy about making plays in all three zones, often holding onto the puck just long enough to evade pressure and continue driving the play forward. His ability to skate with such fluidity and poise allows him to navigate through traffic and create space, making him a constant threat whenever he has the puck. He needs to ensure consistency and getting to the hard areas to be rewarded.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images