Played on March 30, 2024
General Game Notes: High scoring game that needed overtime to decide the winner. With eight goals totals scored in just the second period alone, this game was able to highlight some offensive standouts.
Matthew Desiderio (D, L, 6’3″, 210, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 08/16/2005, Brown)
Game Grade: A-
Desiderio can be a physical presence by being able to smother opposing forwards along the boards with ease. He’s not a fun opponent to have once the play settles in the corner. When he is at his best, he is using his size to contain and his long stride to close quickly. Not overly offensive but was able to find the back of the net tonight, getting his shot through with a little hesitation to throw the blocker off.
Beckett Hendrickson (C, L, 6’2″, 174, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 06/24/2005, Minnesota)
Game Grade: A
Hendrickson is a forward with a promising frame and nose for the net. He uses his size well to protect the puck and also has decent offensive vision. His biggest asset is his lethal wrist shot, when he is able to combine these three characteristics, especially on the rush, he makes himself very hard to play against.
Michael Barron (C, R, 5’6″, 164, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 07/12/2006, Arizona State)
Game Grade: B+
Most of his production can be attributed to his awareness and positional play without the puck. Barron completes his off puck routes and pops in the slot just in time to finish passing plays or to whack at rebounds. He showed tonight that he can be responsible defensively as well, consistent scanning habits, smart positioning and diligent defensive stick. Wins 50/50 puck battles and starts transition quickly.
Noah Powell (RW, R, 6’0″, 201, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 02/02/2005, Ohio State)
Game Grade: A
Powell combines a strong vision and mental awareness of his surroundings with finesse and above average technical passing skills. He showed tonight that he is inside driven and constantly generates advantages for his teammates, both with his individual skill and his ability to connect with passing plays. One and two touch passes from the boards to the slot is how he created scoring chances tonight.
Juraj Pekarcik (LW, L, 6’1″, 194, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 09/12/2005)
Game GradeA-
Pekarcik is always attacking inside, with and without the puck, and he has the skill to dangle defenders on his way there. He sees teammates quickly too. He is really capable of keeping the puck under pressure and his technique to open his hips under pressure helps him evade defenders looking to be physical.
Joona Vaisanen (D, R, 6’0″, 174, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 07/29/2004, Western Michigan)
Game Grade: A-
Vaisanen moves his feet, reads plays, angles rush attempts wide, and is quick to draw a stick out to disrupt a play or block a lane. He gaps up early, guides plays towards the boards, pivots quickly and wins the body positioning by having superior leverage and driving through his opponents hands for an easy breakup. He created offensive chances by using his feet to beat defenders.
Fisher Scott (D, L, 6’1″, 180, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 10/27/2004, Colorado College)
Game Grade: A
Scott has a long powerful stride and can pick up speed fast. He can use his skating as a weapon and it helps him to move up the ice with the puck. He is a strong puck transporter. He has a quick release with his shot while skating forward. He likes to take the puck from his own net and can create rushes and breakouts simply with his feet.
Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen (D, L, 6’0″, 178, NTDP U18, 12/18/2006, Michigan)
Game Grade: A-
Rheaume-Mullen engages in battles with purpose and has solid understanding on how to gain leverage and establish body positioning, pin players down along the boards. He was able to show tonight that he can find the best passing lane in the offensive zone, threading passes to the back post instead of going for simple point shots. Impressive on breakouts, where he reads the incoming pressure and hits the centre with a hard pass to start a rush.
Teddy Stiga (C, L, 5’10”, 177, NTDP U18, 04/05/2006, Boston College)
Game Grade: A-
Stiga plays with plenty of intensity. He is player with very good speed and forechecking ability. Works hard and battles for the puck in the corners. Two way ability is decent and although maybe on the small size, he competes like he is a lot bigger. Stiga did a good job at extending possessions by absorbing contact and playing under pressure.
James Hagens (C, L, 5’10”, 168, NTDP U18, 11/03/2006, Boston College)
Game Grade: A
Hagens did it all tonight. With five points, four of them being goals, found the back of the net by attacking scoring areas and putting himself in great spots to be available. His quick release caught the goalie off guard, as well as defenders looking to block a shot. His ability to skate with the puck with his head up makes him a hard player to play against.
Max Plante (C, L, 5’10”, 170, NTDP U18, 02/20/2006, Minnesota Duluth)
Game Grade: A-
He invites defenders on his back, shields the puck by extending a knee or by using his bottom arm, and transforms intense back pressure into an escape tool. He slows down, leans against opponents, and lets their shoves propel him into open ice. He then attacks the goalie or other defenders with a combination of handling moves and deception. Plante has some moves in his arsenal.
Will Skahan (D, L, 6’4″, 211, NTDP U18, 05/14/2006, Boston College)
Game Grade: B+
Skahan is a larger defenseman who plays with some grit. The best part of his game was his defensive footwork in close-outs. He is a smooth skater and transitions the puck well, knowing what he wants to do with the puck before he gets it. He can be a pure defensive defenseman who can make one-touch rims to teammates.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Ben Marshall