Game played on 12/06/2024.
General Game Notes: This was a close back and forth game where literally both teams scored one goal in each period. Finally in a period where only one team could score, Dubuque was able to capitalize under a minute in to the overtime. This close type of matchup showed both the depth within these teams while their star players also were able to display their talents.
Matthew Desiderio (D, L, 6’3″, 210, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 08/16/2005, Brown)
Grade: A-
Comments: Desiderio plays a great two way game with an emphasis on offense, as the over time hero tonight, he was able to showcase that skill. In overtime, bad bounce created a chance back door for himself to end the game. Not that it was not a great goal but a lot of other things happened for it to basically fall into his lap. One of the better parts of his game to watch is his deceptive game in the neutral zone, he showed this on a play where he baits the defender into playing the D to D pass, only for him to cut up the ice as soon as the forechecker commits. At times, it looks like he is being indecisive on whether he should pinch at the blue line or begin skating backwards, this second guessing cuts into his offense. When he commits to a play, this is where his game excels.
Charlie Arend (C, L, 6’0″, 190, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 01/10/2006, Ohio State)
Grade: B-
Comments: Arend followed up a shot he took in the slot and buried his own rebound home to give his team and early one goal lead in the second period. A lot of the time tonight his game was unpredictable and sometimes surprising when in space but in a brutally effective manner. When he is under pressure he can easily get away from a defender with a deke or smart movements, but when he not under pressure and he does not need to use that movement and there is a huge gap for a pass, he struggles to deliver the puck where it needs to be. This was shown the most on breakouts when he thought there was a pinching defenseman or sweeping pressure where there was not. He has time to get the puck off or too someone but too many times it was a high flip into nowhere.
Gavin Cornforth (RW, R, 5’9″, 154, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 12/15/2006, Boston College)
Grade: B+
Comments: With three assists on the night, Cornforth was moving the puck diligently. Being that he handles the puck a lot, he has some risk to his game. Not that this is the best aspect of his game but he shows his desperation. when he or someone from his team makes a mistake, he is the guy who engages into back checking as the first one. Cornforth is not the biggest player on the ice, that is why he does not use his body in one on one situations much, he prefers to use his frame with agility and make opponents chase. With that being said, he does a good job at pushing the pace off the rush, multiple times he created zone entries where he was able to cut to the middle to open up the ice.
Michael Barron (C, R, 5’7″, 163, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 07/12/2006, Arizona State)
Grade: B
Comments: A lot of his success is due to his ability to see the plays develop. He does a good job at slowing the game down by escaping off opponents and attacking open ice. When shooting, he fools goaltenders and shot blockers because he can change angles of his blade and where he wants to release from. A huge part of his game that is noticeable is where he would rather hold on to the puck instead of making an extremely risky pass. He showed multiple times tonight that he can find second and third options if first is in a dangerous spot. You can often see him along the boards with his head up and looking straight forward. He can see the whole zone which is why he is able to scan through multiple different options.
Colin Frank (RW, R, 5’7″, 159, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 03/22/2006, Connecticut)
Grade: B+
Comments: As one of the smaller players on the ice, Frank brings one of the higher skill sets and motor to the ice. Showed both of these characteristics during his goal where he scored shorthanded for the first goal of the game. As he batted a puck out of mid air in his own zone, he then won a 50/50 puck versus him and the last defender. After he won that battle he shot out of a cannon and his breakaway move was the icing on the cake. Fake forehand slip between the legs showed the skill he has in tight and confidence he has to pull that move off. Throughout the entire kill, he simply warrants the puck, placing himself in areas that demand usage.
Cooper Dennis (RW, R, 5’5″, 150, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 05/07/2007, Michigan)
Grade: A-
Comments: Dennis scored a nice and very important goal tying the game up that eventually forced overtime. From his own zone, he raced all the way up the ice to be a backside option where he one timed a puck home for a great looking goal. One aspect of his game that he showed constantly was how he can stay square under pressure and be the size he is, with such amazing edge work and agility he has no problem taking bigger defenseman one on one. Defensively though, I found that often times he would get beat cleanly in cycles by the puck carrier slamming on the breaks and changing direction. His agility usually shows through when he has the puck, he does a good job at creating time for himself, He sees the ice well and is able to anticipate his breakout options when getting up the ice.
Michael Phelan (D, R, 5’11”, 167, Waterloo Black Hawks, 05/04/2006, Miami (Ohio))
Grade: B
Comments: Phelan has solid height, but at times looks like he needs to fill out some space to not get pushed around below his own goal line. He can play tough and physical in his own zone despite his style of play and size, as he is not afraid to throw his body into one on one battles in the corners. He can win puck battles here and there, and can then create offense from it. Often he is the primary puck mover but when off the puck, he is constantly processing and thinking where he needs to be. You can see it in quick and constant movements throughout each zone. His game is at his best when he is joining as the late man in being that second wave option.
Brock Schultz (F, R, 5’8″, 185, Waterloo Black Hawks, 07/10/2005)
Grade: B+
Comments: Schultz entered the zone with speed and with one fake on the defenseman to his forehand, he used him as a screen and beat the goalie over the glove. The shot was from a bit of a distance but the fact he was able to get some power behind it and use the defenseman, it was just enough for the goalie to lose track. Great goal and at the time, it was to go up one in the third period. Schultz is a smaller and quicker forward and plays with this type of agility throughout his game. This goal was a prime example of his quickness that makes him hard to control and get a read on. He does a good job at making moves at the last second or in tight, he his able to keep the puck close to his body and in a spot where he can stick handle effectively.
Kaeden Hawkins (LW, L, 6’1″, 190, Waterloo Black Hawks, 07/25/2005, St. Thomas)
Grade: A-
Comments: Hawkins was on the fore check and was able to strip a Dubuque player from the puck behind his own net, the sudden change of possession fooled the goalie and Hawkins wrapped the puck in the back of the net. An all around great individual effort that you want to see in such a close game. He showed some defensive qualities tonight as well. Even when he is not in a good position have the angle to win the puck battle, he is able to get himself in a spot to deliver a hard, clean check and not let the opposition continue the cycle. Due to his size, his crossovers are powerful that he is able to gain speed and cut off from defenders because of them, something unique from a bigger sized player such as himself.
Joseph Monteiro (LW, L, 6’0″, 203, Waterloo Black Hawks, 01/12/2006, Providence)
Grade: B
Comments: Monteiro scored a nice goal tonight, the only power play goal of the game, from a beautiful set up from the entire unit. As the puck went flanker to the goal line, a one touch pass was given to him in the slot where he was able to bear down and bury a one timer. Monteiro was able to showcase tonight that he is a powerful skater but he did have problems with his edges and changing direction. A couple times on the rush, if he would have been able to cut to the middle or show some type of direction change, it would have opened the ice instead of just charging down the wall. He did do a good job with his head on a swivel, before pick ups, he knew where the pressure was coming from.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images