Played on Feb 7, 2025
United States Hockey League
Game Played in Dubuque Ice Arena
Jan Spunar (G, L, 6’3″, 190, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 05/30/2004)
Game Rating
A-
Jan Spunar’s skill set is characterized by his calm presence in the crease, which allows him to set his feet on pucks and maintain balance. His size and upright chest enable him to control rebounds effectively, while his reads and situational awareness aid in movement and reducing second chance opportunities. He excels at playing the puck behind the net, helping his team and defensemen move the puck north and out of the zone. Spunar’s fundamentals are sound, and he uses his size and mobility to seal off pucks and control rebounds. His comfort in deeper depth positions allows him to make timely saves.
1 Viewing
Comments: As a crucial piece of the Dubuque roster the Czechian uses his size effectively, stays balanced, and controls play in his own zone. At 6’3′ the 2004 birth year uses his size effectively and plays a mid-depth allowing play to come to him. With an upright chest and balanced upper body even at a lower depth the upper half is still within reach and covered. All of this allows him to track pucks effectively and control rebounds, either smothering them in his upper body of use of an active stick to steer them away from dangerous areas. On quick in tight plays, he doesn’t quite have the quickness to stay composed and at times ends up scrambling. Creating a nice seal when pucks are in tight ensures that they must be elevated from close range. Seeing some scans of the ice and communication with his teammates is a nice skill but could be more frequent. Stopping 29 of 31 in the 3-2 win at home gets Spunar and the Saints two points. Grade: A-
Kam Hendrickson (G, R, 6’0″, 171, Omaha Lancers, 01/09/2006, Connecticut)
Game Rating
B+
Kam Hendrickson is a skilled goaltender with a compact, upright stance that enables smooth and powerful movement across the crease. He maintains depth at the top of his zone while keeping his backside leg engaged to aid in agility. Hendrickson showcases elite skills in tracking pucks and controlling rebounds, often centering his body to keep play in his zone. His calm presence helps him stay composed under pressure, allowing him to make precise movements with a compact frame that utilizes adjustments such as taking backside looks to enhance accuracy.
1 Viewing
Comments: The right-handed catching goaltender moves fluidly from a compact stance and uses depth effectively to decrease angles. From a compact stance with his feet underneath his shoulders and a balanced upper body the Minnesota native creates fluid movement that is powerful and precise. He gains and reduces depth appropriately to reduce angles and sets his feet on plays. An ability to drop into pucks and track them effectively not only keeps his body centered but allows him to control rebounds and eliminate secondary scoring chances. Maintaining his feet as much as possible even in his posts allows him to keep his mobility and reactiveness. Comfortable in a reverse in the posts as well he is compact and fluid. More frequent shoulder checks and scans of the zone could be beneficial in reading plays. A solid performance but coming up short in Dubuque stopping 22 of 25. Grade: B+
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images