Played on Mar 8, 2026
Game Played in Fox Valley Arena
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone was in attendance for this USHL matchup between the Waterloo Black Hawks and the Chicago Steel at Fox Valley Ice Arena, in Geneva, Illinois. Chicago defeated Waterloo by a score of 3-2. Notable performers on the evening included Timo Kazda (CHI) who posted three points (1G, 2A) and James Scantlebury (CHI), who netted the game winning goal, on the powerplay, with just over six minutes to play in regulation.
Luke Goukler (LW, L, 5’11”, 177, Chicago Steel, 08/11/2006, Merrimack)
Game Rating
B
Luke Goukler is a dynamic player who excels in controlling the puck and creating scoring opportunities. His exceptional speed allows him to weave through defenders, while his agility enables him to create space and evade opponents. He possesses a strong wrist shot that can be used from various angles, making him a reliable threat on the power play. Luke’s ability to manipulate his way around the zone, combined with his quickness, makes him a dominant force in terms of puck possession. On offense, he is a skilled playmaker who can create scoring chances for himself and his teammates through his speed and agility. His ability to circle the zone, protect the puck, and drive to the net makes him a well-rounded player.
1 Viewing
Comments: Luke is an average sized, speedster, who has developed a stronger ability over the last two seasons of control and protecting the puck and high speeds. Acceleration is the main aspect of his game and uses it to his advantage to slip through coverage, drive wide, circle the perimeter, and draw defenders with him, thus opening more ice for his teammates. Tonight, Luke did a great job at dipping the shoulder and attacking the net, by choosing good angles of attack, and keeping defensemen back on their heels. He did not find the scoresheet tonight, but it was not for lack of effort or offensive chances. With Luke’s playmaking ability and his continued improvement in driving the offensive play, he should be an exciting forward to watch in Hockey East.
Camillo Milani (LW, L, 5’7″, 158, Chicago Steel, 03/19/2009)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Camillo is an undersized, two-way forward, with a left-hand shot. Making his USHL debut tonight, playing as the 13th forward, he didn’t see a whole lot of ice time in such a close fought one goal game. Having said that, he made the most of the ice time he was allotted. Camilo played a defensively responsible first mentality and made safe plays to chip pucks up through the neutral zone. We will be looking to watch more of him as he continues to get his feet wet at the USHL level. His initial good decision making in his debut served him well in learning to adjust to the pace and speed of the game.
Timothy Kazda (RW, R, 6’1″, 193, Chicago Steel, 10/04/2008, Boston College)
Mar 8/26Nicholas Marzec#18 Kazda, Timothy (Chicago)Birth Date: Oct 4, 2008Line: 1Position: RW6.00.75 / 192Underage (’26)
Game Rating
A
Timothy Kazda is a versatile forward with a developing skill set, capable of adapting to the USHL game’s demands. He has shown improvement in his ability to find the middle ice and create scoring chances through his tenacity and work ethic. Kazda’s consistency has increased since last year, and he now appears to be a force to be reckoned with on the ice. As he continues to develop, Kazda’s ability to score from various angles will become a crucial aspect of his game. He possesses a strong distribution skillset, which could allow him to excel in multiple roles on the team. While there is still room for growth, Kazda’s potential as a well-rounded forward makes him an intriguing prospect.
1 Viewing
Comments: Another solid performance put in by Timo tonight, where he lit up the scoresheet with 3 points (1G, 2A). His tally came less than a minute into the third period, tying the game at 2. Timo was able to beautifully snipe a one-timer touch pass from the near dot, placed it perfectly to the blocker side, just below the bar for his 17th goal of the season. It is evidently clear that he is continuing to develop good habits in terms of shot accuracy, shot release, and demonstrates his ability to possess multiple quality shots. Overall, Timo continues to show improvement in consistency as the regular season winds down, Tonight he showed his willingness to compete every shift and use his scoring drive to create multiple scoring chances not just for himself, but his linemates as well. Aruguably, he was the best player on the ice and now boasts 31 points in 50 games played on the season.
James Scantlebury (C, L, 5’9″, 172, Chicago Steel, 01/15/2009, Boston University)
Game Rating
A-
Scantlebury showcases a solid all-around skillset as a playmaking centerman. With a left-handed shot, they excel at making strong plays in the neutral zone and distributing the puck effectively. They possess good speed, which allows them to push pace on the rush, often opting to go to the outside and distribute the puck. Their agility and quick footwork enable them to cover significant ground in the neutral zone, making them a valuable asset in this area of the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: James proved to be the hero tonight, as he picked up the game winning goal (GWG), on the powerplay, with less than 6 minutes to go in regulation. Taking advantage of a major penalty, James set up at the near dot, and caught a magnificent pass from Kazda, across the dots, where he rifled home a shot, just under the bar. Centering the number one line tonight, he helped push the pace of the line, but what makes him really special is that as gifted as he is offensively, he really does play a great three zone game, thus allowing his linemates to drive the rush more. James simply plays a positionally sound game, consisting of good hockey IQ and the ability to read and react to the play in the defensive and neutral zone areas. The Boston University commit plays an overall solid 200-foot game and looks to flirt with the 40-point mark before the season is out.
Marco Senerchia (D, L, 5’8″, 159, Chicago Steel, 07/04/2007, Providence)
Game Rating
B+
Marco Senerchia is a compact, two-way defenseman with impressive skating abilities that allow him to excel in his defensive role. His ability to keep moving his feet while engaging opponents makes him a formidable opponent in board battles, often forcing them out of position. This, combined with smart angles and decision-making, enables him to effectively defend against opposing forwards. Offensively, Senerchia’s agility and mobility make him a threat every time he touches the puck, allowing him to evade pursuers and create scoring opportunities.
1 Viewing
Comments: For what Marco lacks in height and size, he by-far makes up for it with elite skating mechanics and fantastic vision. He possesses good decision-making capabilities as he moves the puck out of the defensive zone, up on the rush, and more so in the offensive zone. Marco is often most effective quarterbacking the powerplay and does with ease as he usually is the only defensemen working the blueline. He picked up two assists in tonight’s contest, both on the powerplay as one may have guessed. In one sequence he was able to get a one-timer through traffic, from the line, that Merrick was able to slam home a rebound. His elusive brand of skating combined with hockey IQ was on full display tonight and made him arguably the best defenseman on the ice for both teams.
James Russell (D, R, 6’1″, 212, Waterloo Black Hawks, 05/03/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: James is a strong build, two-way defenseman, with a right-hand shot. He doesn’t generally put a lot of points on the board, but he picked up a goal and an assist tonight. He picked up his lone tally, tying the game at one as he received the puck at the offensive blueline and was able to let go a quick wrister that snuck through traffic to the blocker side. More impressive, was the fact that he was able to do it while he had a defender right on top of him, demonstrating his ability to quickly receive the puck, move lateral, and get the shot off fluidly. We feel there is more offensively to his game that he has not quite tapped into yet. He does not turn 19 until May, so look to another year of USHL development and it is very possible that James may find himself as a 20-ish point defensemen who can be a strong shut-down pairing at the division 1 level. A good sleeper prospect here, who is currently alleged to not have a commitment at the moment.
Salvatore Viviano (C, L, 6’0″, 189, Waterloo Black Hawks, 09/06/2007, Northern Michigan)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Sal is a good sized, two-way forward, with a left-hand shot. One of his best attributes is his long reach, which not only allows him extra offensive opportunities, but also allows for him to cause disruption and clog lanes defensively. He did not find the scoresheet tonight; despite having a team high four shots on goal but was more noticeable on the defensive side of the puck. Sal was strong on the forecheck and consistently took his man to the wall below the goal line. His lanky frame, combined with his strong defensive awareness make him a strong team asset, who can not only play a north/south game, but also an east/west mentality as well.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images