Game played on 12/06/2024.
General Game Notes: December 6th, 2024 – USHL action between the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Youngstown Phantoms. A back and forth affair saw plenty of scoring chances, building up to a fun third period. Ultimately it was the Lumberjacks prevailing by a score of 4-3, thanks to their captain David Klee #20 and their goaltender Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev #29 playing great games.
Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev (G, L, 6’2″, 170, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 10/26/2004, Michigan Tech)
Grade: B+
Comments: Gadzhiev’s rebound control was superb against the Phantoms. He consistently smothered outside shots with his glove or used his stick to direct pucks into the corners, minimizing second-chance opportunities and shutting down any momentum from the opposing team. His ability to control the puck and eliminate rebound chances was a key part of his solid performance. Technically, Gadzhiev was on point. He stayed square to shooters and relied on a strong butterfly technique to make his saves. He was efficient on his posts, moving well from side to side and tracking the puck through traffic. His ability to follow plays behind the net and into the slot was also evident, allowing him to stay in position and make key saves when needed.
Jacob Toll (D, L, 6’2″, 180, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 10/30/2004, Minnesota Duluth)
Grade: B-
Comments: Toll made a great play by reading a loose pass and jumping on it with a hard forecheck. His quick recognition of the opportunity created a 3-on-1 for his team, and he showed excellent vision by making a perfect back-door pass that led to a goal. This play highlighted Toll’s ability to read the game and make an impact despite being a defenseman. His decision to join the forecheck at the right moment was key, and when the chance arose, he executed. Additionally, he filled shot lanes on the PK and blocked shots when they came his way.
Xavier Veilleux (D, L, 6’0″, 190, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 03/26/2006, Cornell)
Grade: B
Comments: Veilleux is an excellent puck mover and a great skater. He excels at collecting pucks in his own zone, quickly transitioning up ice, and joining the rush as the second wave of offense. His skating allows him to cover a lot of ground and create opportunities, often pushing the pace with his speed. At times, Veilleux’s aggressiveness leads him to play almost like a forward, constantly involved in the offensive play. However, he reads the game well enough to recognize when to backpedal and shut down plays defensively, using his speed to recover and break up rushes when needed. He has a lot of skill with the puck and is at his best when he’s able to control the play. Defensively, he’s most effective when he has the puck on his stick, using his vision and skating to navigate through pressure and break out cleanly.
Carter Sanderson (C, L, 6’1″, 200, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 09/12/2007, North Dakota)
Grade: B
Comments: Sanderson may not be the fastest skater on the ice, but he makes up for it with his physicality and smart positioning. He’s always first on pucks by using his body to win battles and his ability to stop and start quickly on plays. When attacking the points, if the puck goes by him, he’s quick to reset, maintain good positioning, and attack the next play where he needs to be. He plays the game the right way, consistently making smart decisions and staying engaged. Sanderson isn’t afraid to use his big frame to be physical when needed, and he brings an added intensity and spark every shift.
Rudolfs Berzkalns (F, L, 6’3″, 201, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 03/03/2008, Boston College)
Grade: C+
Comments: Berzkalns showed plenty of signs of potential, particularly when it came to making smart plays under pressure. In his own end, he was effective along the walls, calmly chipping pucks out of danger and using his size to shield the puck. He absorbed checks well, maintaining possession and showing poise in tight situations. He also wasn’t afraid to play physical when it was necessary.
David Klee (C, L, 6’3″, 182, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 05/10/2005, North Dakota)
Grade: A-
Comments: Klee is a complete, all-around player who you want on the ice in any situation. He plays a hard-nosed, physical game but has the skill to contribute offensively as well. In the face-off circle, he’s a tough competitor, making him difficult to play against. Defensively, he’s always supporting his defensemen low in the zone and is committed to playing the right way. Offensively, Klee goes to the net hard, whether he has the puck or not, and that’s where he generates much of his scoring chances. While he’s not going to wow you with flashy skill, Klee consistently makes high-end plays under pressure, often leading to goals for himself or creating opportunities for his teammates.
Matthew Van Blaricom (RW, R, 5’11”, 174, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 08/26/2006, Michigan Tech)
Grade: B+
Comments: Van Blaricom showcased his skill set throughout the game, making some incredible plays. He always moved with speed, creating problems for his opponents, especially off the rush. His quickness allowed him to push pucks past defenders and attack the net with a purpose. One of his standout moments came when he scored a stunning goal by going to the net hard, stopping in front, and batting a puck out of mid-air. The play highlighted his excellent hand-eye coordination and his ability to read the play at a high level.
Vaclav Nestrasil (RW, R, 6’5″, 190, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 04/06/2007, UMass Amherst)
Grade: A-
Comments: Nestrasil oozes skill and confidence every time he’s on the ice. He’s not afraid to make that extra play to create the best offensive look, and more often than not, it pays off. He can score goals, but he’s just as effective at setting them up. Using his big frame, Nestrasil weaves in and out of traffic, protecting the puck and making plays under pressure. He displayed his excellent vision with some beautiful back-door passes, threading the needle to create scoring chances. He also showed off his individual skill, scoring a breakaway goal by out-muscling his defender, maintaining his speed, and ripping a bullet of a shot top-shelf, bar down.
Luke Santilli (D, R, 6’4″, 215, Youngstown Phantoms, 12/05/2004, St. Lawrence)
Grade: B
Comments: Santilli is a towering right-shot defenseman who plays with an upright posture and uses his long reach to his advantage. He’s got good skill for a player of his size, and on the first goal of the game, he demonstrated poise with the puck, getting it on net and creating a rebound that led to a goal. Defensively, his reach allows him to disrupt plays, poke pucks away from attackers, and defend well in one-on-one situations. Offensively, it helps him protect the puck and make confident decisions when handling it.
Landan Resendes (RW, R, 5’10”, 183, Youngstown Phantoms, 12/10/2005, Boston College)
Grade: B
Comments: Resendes is an extremely fast straight-line skater who can really fly up the ice. He gets low to the ice and uses his speed to beat defenders to loose pucks, making him a constant threat in transition. Whether it’s on the rush or chasing down the puck, he’s always a step ahead of the play. With the puck, he has the ability to get in front of the play, using his speed to receive passes and drive to the net. What stood out most was his power on his skates. He’s tough to knock off the puck and can protect it in tight spaces. Resendes uses his physicality effectively, especially with reverse hits, to separate defenders from the puck and maintain possession.
Adam Benak (C, L, 5’7″, 160, Youngstown Phantoms, 04/10/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Benak is a skilled and smart forward with a high hockey IQ, consistently reading plays in all three zones. He’s especially effective on the backcheck, as seen multiple times during the game when he would track back into his own end, position himself in the slot, and break up plays before they could develop. His ability to read the game and anticipate where the puck is going allows him to disrupt the opposition’s attack and quickly transition the play the other way. Once he’s on offense, Benak’s speed stands out. He’s able to use his quickness to get into open ice and attack the net, putting pressure on defenders. He also showcased his finishing ability, scoring the game’s first goal by going to the hard areas, finding a loose puck, and burying it without hesitation.
Evan Jardine (LW, L, 5’11”, 180, Youngstown Phantoms, 10/23/2007, Harvard)
Grade: B
Comments: Jardine has a real knack for finding open ice in the offensive zone. He’s always able to locate those soft spots, get to pucks quickly, and put them on net. From the bumper position, he showed great awareness, never just throwing pucks away, but making smart plays that benefited his teammates. It was clear that Jardine has the ability to elevate the play of those around him. Whether it was making precise passes or creating chances by simply getting pucks to the net, he consistently generated offense. His hockey IQ and vision stood out, making him a constant presence in the offensive zone.
Cal Huston (D, R, 6’0″, 190, Youngstown Phantoms, 08/08/2005, Miami (Ohio))
Grade: B
Comments: Huston can definitely make plays offensively, but where he really stood out was in the defensive zone. He kept the game simple, understanding when to clear pucks out of danger or make a clean, efficient pass to transition the play. His decision-making in his own end was solid, helping his team regain control and move up ice quickly. He also brought a physical edge to his game, stepping into his opponents and laying the body in all three zones. His aggressive play was a big factor, and he played with bite, constantly challenging puck carriers and winning battles. Huston played right on the edge, showing the right amount of physicality without crossing the line, making him tough to play against.
Quentin Bourne (D, L, 5’7″, 165, Youngstown Phantoms, 03/04/2006)
Grade: C+
Comments: Bourne is an under-sized defenseman who shows a lot of heart and compete. He doesn’t shy away from the physical play as he gets into battles in all three zones. He showed some skill by keeping pucks in at the offensive blue line and making clean passes, limiting turnovers.
Jamison Sluys (C, L, 5’10”, 195, Youngstown Phantoms, 09/03/2005, Western Michigan)
Grade: B-
Comments: Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Sluys had several good chances throughout the game, though he was unable to capitalize. On the power play, he showed confidence by grabbing pucks off the half-wall and wasn’t afraid to attack the net with quick, hard wrist shots, testing the goalie with his release. He also displayed good skill in tight situations, particularly with loose pucks. Even when space was limited, he was able to gain control and make plays without panicking.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
