Played on Feb 6, 2026
Game Played in The Ice Box
General Game Notes: February 6, 2026 – The Youngstown Phantoms visited the Lincoln Stars in a fast-paced, high-octane matchup that featured plenty of scoring chances and some impressive goals. Regulation time produced no winner, as the game was tied 3-3 through 60 minutes. A shootout was necessary, and Youngstown picked up the extra points.
Will Prowse (G, L, 6’0″, 184, Lincoln Stars, 12/18/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Prowse demonstrated solid performance in the game, showcasing his mental toughness and readiness for challenges. He played with intensity and focus, effectively sealing off holes and tracking pucks. His compact positioning allowed him to track pucks effectively and make crucial saves. Prowse’s high-intensity gameplay enabled him to stay on his toes and react quickly to situations. His quick movements helped him fight through traffic and locate pucks. He excelled in the crease, moving well side to side and using effective techniques to seal off angles.
1 Viewing
Comments: Prowse, despite being slightly undersized, battles hard on every puck and carries a quiet swagger to his game. He made several big saves throughout the contest and was a major reason his team stayed in it. He has quick hands and consistently caught pucks through traffic, limiting rebounds and providing steadiness in net. In tight, he battles for pucks-especially laterally-getting there with no holes and pouncing on loose pucks in close. He’s fast on his feet, whether it’s low-to-high or side-to-side, and that quickness allows him to reach pucks, stay square, and choose the proper save selection based on the play.
Drew Nelson (D, R, 5’10”, 165, Lincoln Stars, 01/09/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Nelson is a smaller defenseman, but he plays effectively on both sides of the puck. He’s not a one-dimensional player, leaning into the defensive side of the game by using his skating and angles rather than relying on physicality. He’s solid with the puck and makes smart decisions in his own end, delivering tape-to-tape outlet passes and avoiding unnecessary punts. Offensively, he shows flashes of skill and touch, contributing with two quality assists. On both plays, he handled the puck up high, sold a shot, and found a teammate in the high slot-one of which resulted in a goal. The sequence highlighted his poise, awareness, and ability to add value without forcing the play.
Alex Pelletier (LW, L, 5’9″, 189, Lincoln Stars, 06/01/2005, Boston College)
Game Rating
B+
Pelletier is a dynamic forward with impressive speed and decision-making skills, which enable him to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He excels at generating chances off the rush, leveraging his quick release to produce high-quality shots on net. Through his agility and footwork, Pelletier effectively gets pucks into scoring position, often finding ways to drive to the inside and create space around the net. His ability to quickly follow up on rebounds and capitalize on second-chance opportunities makes him a reliable threat in front of the goal.
1 Viewing
Comments: Pelletier is one of those players who drives play whenever he’s on the ice. The puck seems to find his stick, and when it does, good things tend to follow. On the power play, he controls possession and dictates tempo, consistently running offense through his stick. He owns a heavy shot and can fire from the flanks with a quick, deceptive release that carries real pop. When the puck comes back to him, he shows the awareness to find seams and make rapid decisions that catch defenders off guard. He’s not just a power-play threat, either. At five-on-five, he’s equally dangerous-especially off the rush-where his speed, skill, and shoot-first mentality keep opponents on their heels. He scored the game-tying goal in the final minute, stepping up in a big moment and reinforcing exactly why he’s trusted on the ice when the game is on the line.
Layne Loomer (RW, L, 5’11”, 187, Lincoln Stars, 07/17/2005, Miami (Ohio))
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Loomer clearly has the skill, IQ, and talent that make him a high-end player, but the trait that truly stands out is his compete level. In the final minute of the game, down a goal, he hunted down every loose puck and consistently won his battles, ultimately leading to the game-tying goal with the goalie pulled. Those are intangible traits that don’t always show up on the scoresheet, and when one of your top players brings that level of urgency and effort in critical moments, it’s an invaluable asset.
John Hirschfeld (C, L, 5’8″, 174, Lincoln Stars, 07/06/2006, Vermont)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Hirschfeld is a smaller forward with a strong motor who plays a relentless, fearless game. He consistently hunts pucks and isn’t shy about going into the corners, often coming out with possession despite giving up size. One thing that stood out was his work ethic off turnovers, where he quickly re-engages to win pucks back-typically by moving his feet and using an active stick. When he has the puck, he shows good vision and playmaking ability, moving it effectively from low to high and finding soft areas to collect loose pucks in tight. His pace and compete level allow him to impact shifts even without the puck on his stick.
Will Kortan (F, R, 6’0″, 177, Lincoln Stars, 05/23/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Kortan competes hard shift in and shift out. No matter what zone he’s in, he’s moving his feet, finishing his checks, and consistently doing the little things right. There was a shift in the first period where he forechecked with pace and laid a big hit, knocking his opponent off the puck. He then tracked hard on the backcheck into his own zone, separated the puck carrier from possession once again, moved it quickly to a teammate, and jump-started the transition. It’s a short sequence, but one that perfectly encapsulates his game in a nutshell. He plays fast, plays the game the right way, and brings reliable value on both sides of the puck.
Nathaniel Pederson (C, L, 5’9″, 171, Lincoln Stars, 01/27/2008, Miami (Ohio))
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Pederson scored a goal and added an assist in a game where he consistently made his presence felt. He competed hard for pucks, attacked the forecheck, and put himself in positions to succeed. His goal from the high slot was a great example of his positioning and quick-release shot, showing he can finish in the right areas. Additionally, he made several strong plays off the rush that created opportunities for himself and his line-mates, acting as a driver all night.
Brady Cunningham (D, L, 6’0″, 196, Lincoln Stars, 03/18/2008, Bowling Green)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Cunningham is a physical, defense-first defender who plays a simple, smart game. With the puck, he makes crisp outlet passes and will opt for glass-and-out plays when a clean option isn’t there, limiting mistakes and avoiding unnecessary defensive-zone time. He’s not afraid to step up and deliver big hits, as shown in the first period when he caught a much bigger player with his head down, stepped up, and laid a clean open-ice hit—separating his opponent from the puck. The play highlighted his ability to read the game and do what he does best: defend.
Owen Lepak (G, L, 6’0″, 170, Youngstown Phantoms, 02/20/2006, Western Michigan)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Lepak plays with a wider stance than many goalies, getting low to the ice and consistently tracking pucks down rather than up. He has active hands and fights through traffic, often swallowing up shots from the outside and limiting second-chance opportunities. Because he plays a bit wider, he seals the ice well and gets down quickly, allowing very little down-low room. In turn, his wider positioning can leave a bit more up high since he tends to be more hunched down. Overall, he battles extremely hard for every puck and never quits on a play, which allows him to make second- and third-chance saves-especially in tight. Even after being crashed into multiple times, he repeatedly found his way back to his feet or into RVH and fought to make the next save that came his way.
Lenny Boos (RW, R, 5’11”, 162, Youngstown Phantoms, 11/21/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Boos made a beautiful play on the Phantoms’ second goal, collecting the puck in the neutral zone and delivering a tape-to-tape saucer pass that landed perfectly on his teammate’s stick for a clean-cut breakaway. The pass was an **elite** play that showcased his ability to execute high-end reads, combining skill and hockey IQ to create offense. As a newer player in the USHL, there may be an adjustment period, but the ceiling is high. His poise under pressure and ability to make plays at pace are impressive and project well moving forward.
Kazumo Sasaki (LW, L, 5’10”, 169, Youngstown Phantoms, 12/24/2005, Lake Superior)
Game Rating
B
Kazumo Sasaki is a skilled player who excels in transition and creates scoring opportunities with his speed and playmaking ability. He has impressive hands that allow him to curl and drag the puck effectively, making him a threat on both offense and defense. His hockey IQ shines through in his seam passes and vision, making him a valuable asset on the power play. Sasaki’s stick-handling is also noteworthy, as he can navigate tight spaces and buy time for himself and his linemates. While he sometimes holds onto pucks too long, his overall skill set makes him a game-changer with the puck in hand. His ability to create space and beat defenders in 1-on-1 situations is particularly impressive, making him a force to be reckoned with on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sasaki had a strong game for the Phantoms, leaning into his speed, shiftiness, and soft touch around the net to generate offense. He finished a highlight-reel breakaway by attacking the middle, taking a perfectly timed pass, and making no mistake with a smooth forehand-to-forehand fake. The goal highlighted his explosive skating stride and his ability to create separation while staying in full motion, seamlessly connecting his hands, eyes, and touch to finish the play. At times he can drift to the perimeter, but when he gets inside, he shows a real knack for pushing pucks into prime scoring areas. With time and space, he becomes a legitimate threat and can make defenders pay.
Jack Hextall (C, R, 6’1″, 188, Youngstown Phantoms, 03/23/2008, Michigan State)
Game Rating
B
Hextall demonstrated his ability to create scoring opportunities by positioning himself well and making smart passes. In key situations, such as late-game tiebreakers, he has shown poise and confidence. While not necessarily flashy, Hextall consistently makes solid decisions on the ice, putting himself in position to succeed. He effectively uses his speed and agility to get into scoring areas, making him a reliable option in critical situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hextall can drive offense by carrying pucks through all three zones and staying on them through contact. He shows strong puck protection skills in open ice, using subtle hand and body adjustments to evade stick checks and create plays-particularly off the rush. He leans on defenders and presents a good balance of shoot-and-pass ability, making him difficult to contain. He made several quality plays by slipping pucks under defensive triangles and was noticeably more effective attacking with speed than in set in-zone situations. He’s a driver who pushes play forward, and his presence is felt whenever he’s on the ice.
Cooper Simpson (LW, L, 6’1″, 186, Youngstown Phantoms, 02/05/2007, North Dakota)
Game Rating
A-
Cooper Simpson’s skillset is characterized by his ability to control the pace of play in the offensive zone. His edge work is particularly effective, as he can seamlessly transition from cutting back and forth to beating defenders one-on-one. Simpson’s playing style is marked by a high level of hockey IQ, which allows him to read the game well and make plays with or without the puck. He’s also dynamic off the rush, able to distribute pucks while still being willing to take it himself. This combination of skill and intelligence makes Simpson a valuable asset to his team, as he consistently creates opportunities for himself and those around him.
1 Viewing
Comments: Simpson is a threat every time he touches the puck. In the second period, he picked it up in his own end, carried it through all three zones, and executed a clean zone entry before attacking wide and ripping a shot top shelf from the goal line. Where most players would take that puck behind the net, Simpson recognized the opening and took it-an example of his confidence and offensive instincts. His shot and release are high end, giving him the ability to beat goaltenders from just about anywhere on the ice. While he finished with one goal, he generated several other quality looks and consistently put pressure on the defense. He’s the type of player who can create offense on his own and doesn’t always need his linemates to drive play. Whether it’s off the rush, at five-on-five, or on the power play, he’s an effective and dangerous offensive presence.
Richard Zemlicka (C, L, 6’3″, 187, Youngstown Phantoms, 04/04/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Zemlicka is a big power forward who plays a solid two-way game, bringing energy to the penalty kill while also contributing offensively. He can fill lanes, block shots, and extend plays using his puck protection and physicality. He skates well for a bigger forward, and he makes his presence felt on the forecheck, arriving with speed and finishing his checks. He plays with a bit of a mean streak, and the combination of his size, skill, and speed makes him difficult to defend. Offensively, he’s strong in front of the net, showing a heavy stick and a willingness to hold his ground and not be knocked off the puck.
Malachi McKinnon (C, L, 5’9″, 178, Youngstown Phantoms, 01/18/2007, Maine)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: McKinnon has a natural nose for the net. He’s not the biggest player on the ice, but he consistently finds space, finds pucks, and gets them to dangerous areas. In the first period, he collected a puck in the slot and pulled off a slick forehand-to-backhand move that beat the goaltender five-hole, showing his touch and instincts around the crease. Beyond his scoring ability, he displays good vision and a willingness to get inside the dots, where he can make plays. He finds seams and delivers clean passes to teammates in scoring areas, making him more than just a finisher and adding to his overall offensive impact.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images