Game played 2/8/2025.
General Game Notes: This game was a tied game after one, and a one goal game after two. Not until the third period did the Giants open their lead where they were able to connect on the power play three times. Special teams were the key tonight for the Giants win, not only scoring on the power play but denying the Silvertips six times with a perfect penalty kill.
Eric Jamieson (D, L, 6’3″, 200, Everett Silvertips, 07/15/2005, Denver)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Jamieson was able to show tonight that he is a strong and mobile two way defenseman, at times though with average skating. He has great footwork when he is up to speed, but his acceleration and first step hold him back. Jamieson takes short and clunky strides which is interesting considering how big he is, resulting in him taking more steps than necessary to reach top speed. He also lacks elite straight line speed which affects his ability to create separation when carrying the puck. Defensively, he does not look to make a hit for the sake of it, but rather he hits strategically for puck separation and to gain advantageous positioning in board battles. In transition, he usually looks for the easy first pass to start the breakout. He is also collected when he does not have that option and will find open ice to skate to, opening up options as the opposing defenders have to respect him as a puck carrier looking to draw players to him.
Landon DuPont (D, R, 5’11”, 180, Everett Silvertips, 05/28/2009)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: DuPont is a clear catalyst on the ice, despite his age. Not his best offensive outing but you can tell the raw talent he has and his ability to create and chose his times to be dynamic will only get better, for now he looks like he wants to prove something every time he touches the puck. Where he is extremely talented is being able to skate with the puck and know where the next play is. He does a good job at pushing the pace and making moves in tight to players allowing more space for him to work with once he does beat that player. Along the blue line, he was able to show his mobility and lateral movement making blockers go one way and himself with the puck, the other. He lacks the physicality but that really is not his game, his way of being physical is getting stick on puck and in your face as soon as possible. With age, size, and experience his ability to close along the wall and hold guys for the extra second will improve.
Zackary Shantz (C, R, 5’10”, 165, Everett Silvertips, 09/09/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Shantz was able to show tonight that his skating technique is good, even if it does not result in good speed or acceleration. He has good edge work and the ability to pivot. He uses his hips, which allow him to pivot in the offensive zone when patrolling empty space for a quick pass, but also transitioning from backward to forward skating. He has that two way part in his game where he is able to skate backwards as the third forward high in the offensive zone. One of the better aspects of Shantz game is his work effort, he rarely gives up on plays. Oftentimes coming back, if he is behind the play, he will do almost anything to prevent a shot or scoring chance. His stride does not stop until he gets back to his own hash marks.
Tarin Smith (D, L, 6’1″, 175, Everett Silvertips, 03/24/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Smith did a good job at showing his aptitude as a net front defender and is a willing participant to battle in the corners. It shows in how he prioritizes keeping his back to forecheckers, the way he pushes off opponents on his pinches, and the way he brute forces people into corners. He is not destroying everything that moves, rather opting to play effective, imposing, and using thoughtful physicality. This is where he uses his size the most, to muscle puck carriers into positions, allowing the puck to be moved to a vulnerable position for him to poke loose or have his teammates collect. He did not have the best offensive outing tonight but his ability to create was obviously shown. In the offensive zone, Smith likes to use open ice to creep in from the point for a one-timer or a little snapper he can get on net. He recognizes when opposing defenses congest the defensive zone to create unprotected ice.
Burke Hood (G, L, 6’2″, 200, Vancouver Giants, 04/30/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Hood saw thirty nine shots tonight and stopped thirty seven of them. Considering the opposition had six power play and did not score on any of them, he really embraced the fifth penalty killer cliche. Hood does a good job at getting from post to post with his athleticism, he is able to get on his edges and get over quickly to make timely saves. He has great size that he uses in order to cut angles down. He with pop out at the top of the crease for odd man rushes or two on ones and limit the shooters availability to shoot. He can play the puck, but at times, you can see his size in the way he is not able to pick up some rims.
Colton Roberts (D, R, 6’4″, 198, Vancouver Giants, 06/08/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Roberts is one of the bigger players on the ice. He can play a two way defensive role but showed tonight that he really does excel in his own end when he is using his length to his advantage. By virtue of his more defensive-leaning style of play, he is never really chasing the action or skating in dead heats. Roberts proficiency is displayed by the power he generates with his stride while never sacrificing the fluidity of his motion. The mobility and dexterity of Roberts, not his strength, is why is able to defend and close as quickly as he can. With this being said, offensive is not is strong suit but he can create. Holding on to the puck to create chances in the offensive zone is not something he does often, but moving the puck out of his zone quickly is where he can create his offense. His assists come from transitioning the play.
Maxim Muranov (RW, L, 6’2″, 188, Vancouver Giants, 06/02/2004, Niagara)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Muranov was able to show tonight that he is a two-way forward who plays an aggressive forechecking game with adept defensive skills, logging significant time on both special teams. He may not have the dynamic offensive abilities of some of the higher-end or smaller players on the ice have but he was able to show consistency in puck control and making plays. He uses his size and gets his lower half around the puck, when he embraces for contact like this, he is hard to bump off the puck. Defensively he makes himself big and is strong on the puck the same way and it is why he is so challenging to play against. Muranov showed that he does not play like a bruiser, but rather like a defender six inches shorter. He pressures puck carriers ability to handle the puck, cuts their angles, and robs them of the time and space they need to develop play. This was especially apparent when it was the opposing teams better players.
Adam Titlbach (C, L, 5’9″, 164, Vancouver Giants, 02/15/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Titlbach did a good job showing he understands the flow of the game with his spacial awareness. He was constantly looking behind himself before first puck touches to ensure he has the time and space he needs to make a play. He is solid around the net for his size, which is a reason why he has twenty one goals on the year. Defensively, Titlbach does not rely on outmuscling his competition, often opting to keep his gaps tight and finding ways to make moves on the puck. His added two-way value is a reason why his coach gives him one of the highest time on ice logs in the game. He was able to show tonight that he can be trusted in both ends of the ice but he was at his best showing off his small area skills, in front of the net, and below the goal line where he can make players collapse on him.
Ethan Mittelsteadt (D, L, 6’0″, 190, Vancouver Giants, 12/18/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Mittelsteadt played more of a two way role on defesne but has the footwork to be more offensive than he was tonight. His aggressiveness is consistently driving plays forward and enabling his forwards to keep pucks deep. Yet, Mittelsteadt is not reckless. His risk-taking was for the most part thought out it looked like, but there were times he could have extended his possession instead of throwing pucks. He has good initial instincts of getting on loose pucks, moving pucks crisp, and getting shots from the point. His games needs to develop into more of a puck carrier, not all the time, but have the confidence it takes under pressure to hold on to it if one has to. All too often, defenders will panic when defending the rush and immediately try to challenge the body or extend themselves to try and limit the damage for a teammate, something Mittelsteadt could work on.
Mazden Leslie (D, R, 6’0″, 201, Vancouver Giants, 04/15/2005, Bowling Green)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: The offensive defenseman recorded five points with two goals and three assists on the night and was the clear catalyst for the Giants offense. He was able to show tonight that he can pick his corners. Scored a nice goal his first goal coming in on the late wave with a ton of time and space. Got the pass right inside the zone, drifted to tops of the circles with his head up the whole way, and beat the goalie with a snap shot over his shoulder. He has great spatial awareness of when to get into the play and when to be a defenseman and take a rush. He sees the game well and his able to open the ice and extend his possessions with his skating. He is not afraid to hold on to the puck the extra second to wait for something to open up in the neutral zone. Multiple times tonight he would rag the puck, then snap it up the middle beating not only the forecheck but a couple different players at one. He checked a lot of boxes in tonight’s game with puck moving, offense, and ability to control the game.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
