Game played on 1/3/2025.
Jan Spunar (G, L, 6’3″, 190, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 05/30/2004)
Grade: A
Comments: Dubuque: Jan Spunar (2004) The former Portland Winterhawks goaltender plays beyond his years with a calm presence in the crease setting his feet on threats and using his size to reduce extra movements. The Czechian has static hands and an upright chest that keeps him balanced and feet underneath him. His reads, shoulder checks, and situational awareness in the zone aid in movement and allow him to control rebounds and eliminate second chance opportunities. Playing the puck behind the net effectively helps his team and defensemen move the puck north and out of the zone. Comfortable in a deeper depth while pucks are in the zone, but he will gain some depth on line rushes. Stopping 29 of 30 and another strong performance for Spunar. Grade: A
Owen Lepak (G, L, 6’0″, 170, Youngstown Phantoms, 02/20/2006, Western Michigan)
Grade: B-
Comments: Youngstown: Owen Lepak (2006) The 2006 born Phantoms goaltender plays a calm game deeper in his crease and relies on his puck tracking to make saves. His movement is hindered by a widening lower body that sees his feet get outside of his shoulders often causing his chest to fall forward and unable to move laterally. A tendency to drop and reach for pucks instead of releasing into them makes it difficult to reach pucks outside his body as he was beaten a couple times in this contest. Comfortable and more condensed in his posts he moves effectively and keeps consistent static hand positioning. Rebound control aided in eliminating second chance opportunities but a more active stick to deflect pucks and elevate them could benefit the Western Michigan commit. Surrendering three goals in the 4-1 loss on the road in Dubuque. Grade: B-
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images