Scheduled for January 20, 2020 is the BioSteel All-American game in the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. USHL President and Commissioner had this to say about the game, “our partnership with USA Hockey and the NHL has never been stronger, and working together on this game to celebrate our top players is something we’re very much looking forward to. Hockey in our country continues to grow and get stronger and we’re proud to be part of those efforts each and every day.”
The game will pit the USHL U-18s against the top NHL draft-eligible players from the USHL. In a combination of two previous events, the USHL and NHL top prospects game and the All-American game hosted by USA hockey. This event aims to showcase the best NHL draft-eligible players playing in the US and is a great event for NHL scouts to witness the best talent.
Last week’s players of the week are forward Danil Guschin of the Lumberjacks, defenseman Noah Ellis of the Buccaneers, and goalie of the week Christian Stoever of the Buccaneers. Guschin had four goals in two games and boasted a +3. Ellis had two goals and one assist in two games and had a +2. Stoever boasted a 2 GAA and .962 SV% in one game played.
Gamblers
Green Bay headed to Muskegon Friday night to take on the Lumberjacks. Jesse Tucker got things kicked off for the Gamblers when he found the net from a Benito Posa and Nicholas Petruolo rush. Noah Ganske, Dylan Wendt, and Ryan O’Reilly’s two goals in the third led the team to a 5-1 victory. Gavin Enright was in net making 29/30 saves.
Game two of the week kept the Lumberjacks in Muskegon as they looked to improve to 2-0 on the weekend. Unfortunately, the Jacks had a different plan for them. Two goals from Luke Mylymok and one from Jesse Tucker and Ryan O’Reilly were enough to push the game to overtime. Unfortunately, they lost in overtime but still picked up one point in the loss. Gavin Enright was the netminder making 36 of 41 saves.
Black Hawks
The Black Hawks faced the Saints in their first game of the weekend where they were victorious, 3-2. Ryan Drkulec and Xander Lamppa scored important goals but it was Wyatt Schingoethe’s penalty shot with only 1:18 remaining in the game that got the win. A big penalty late on Kaelan Taylor gave the Hawks the momentum they needed to hold on. Gabriel Carriere stayed hot with another win in net going 31 for 33.
With a quick turnaround, the Black Hawks were on their way to Cedar Rapids to take on the RoughRiders. Unfortunately for the Hawks, they weren’t as lucky this time around. They fell 4-1 with Ondrej Psenicka scoring the only goal. Logan Stein was in net making 14 of 17 saves.
Force
Fargo acquired defenseman, Austin Crossley from the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League. After a year where he tallied 9 points and racked up 146 penalty minutes, he will provide some needed depth to the Force’s defense. Fargo also sent forward, Aaron Myers, to the Minnesota Wilderness of the NAFL. Myers had 50 points, 17 goals and 33 assists, in 57 games for the Wilderness last year.
In last week’s game action, the Force took on the RoughRiders in Cedar Rapids. Kaden Bohlsen and Tristan Broz were the only goal scorers for the Force as they fell 4-2 on 21 shots. Brennan Boynton made only 15 of 18 of his save opportunities.
Their second game of the week was a bit more successful as they defeated the Saints, 2-1. After trailing by one under a minute into the second period, Ondrej Pavel found the back of the net to tie the game at one. With under two minutes remaining in the third period, Aaron Grounds scored to end the week on a high note. Cole Brady was 29 of 30 between the pipes.
Lumberjacks
Muskegon got their week started against the Gamblers at home. Tanner Edwards scored the games first goal to put the Jacks up 1-0, but that would be the highlight of the night for them. They surrendered five unanswered goals to fall 5-1. The loss can’t be completely placed on Noah Giesbrecht’s shoulders, but he does pick up the loss as he went 22 for 26.
Staying at home, the Lumberjacks avenged their loss from the night before. Facing the Gamblers again, it took one overtime but the Lumberjacks were victorious, 5-4. Christophe Fillion and Oliver MacDonald scored one goal while Luke Mobley added two.
MacDonald’s goal came with just under 10 minutes remaining to tie the game, but the star of the night was Christophe Fillion who scored two goals but none more important than the overtime winner. The Lumberjacks improve to 8-5-1 on the year. Jack Williams was solid between the pipes going 22 for 26.
RoughRiders
The Rapids made some personnel moves last week by dropping Mack Byers. They also named their captains- captain Jordan Tonelli and assistants Jackson Millar, Max Sasson, and Jack O’Leary. “Jordan Tonelli has led by example since he arrived in Cedar Rapids last season and will be an excellent leader for our hockey team on and off the ice. Jack O’Leary, Jackson Millar and Max Sasson have set a great example for our team throughout their careers and will work very well with Jordan,” said RoughRiders Head Coach Mark Carlson.
Cedar Rapids improved to 8-6 on the year as they won both of their games last week. The first game was against the Force where they won 4-2. Nikolai Mayorov, Justin Hryckowian, Jackson Jutting, and Justin Hryckowian were the scorers in this game. Derek Mullahy suited up in net and was 19 for 21 on his save opportunities.
Game two was against the Black Hawks where Grant Silianoff, Nikolai Mayorov, Michael Suda, Jordan Tonelli led the RoughRiders to a 4-1 victory. Mullahy was in net again making 25 of 26 saves.
Saints
The Saints had a rough week as they dropped both of their games. The first, against the Black Hawks, was a 3-2 defeat at home. Dylan Jackson put the Saints on the board first by scoring 1:17 into the second period. Jackson scored again later in the period at the 11-minute mark to put the Saints back on top, but they trailed by 1 when the clock hit 00:00. Erik Portillo continued his great start going 30 for 33 on saves but ultimately recorded the loss.
In their second game, Thomas Middleton scored halfway through the first period to give the Saints an early lead over the Force. Unfortunately for the Saints, that was the highlight of the game. Mustering up 30 shots, they could only find the back of the net once. Aidan McCarthy would like to have a few opportunities back as he was only 12 for 14 on the night. The Saints fall to 8-2-1 on the year.
Buccaneers
Des Moines took on the Storm in their first game of the week. Joey Strada kicked things off by scoring four minutes in. Logan Anderson added another at the 12-minute mark to put the Bucs back up 2-1, but that would be the end of their scoring for the night. The Bucs only put 10 shots on the board as the Storm’s defense was tight all night. Christian Stoever was in net going 29 for 33.
In game two against the Storm, the Bucs got their revenge in an 8-4 thumping. Joey Strada led the way with four goals, Michael Mancinelli added two of his own, and Mason Nevers and Yaroslav Alexeyev added their own. Cameron Rowe was in net making 36 of 40 saves. The Buccaneers improve to 7-5-0-1 on the year.
Lancers
The Lancers headed to Lincoln to take on the Stars last week. Rhett Pitlick was more than ready for the affair as he scored two goals within the first 10 minutes of the game. Logan Will, Grant Anderson, Jack Randl, and Matthew Sutton each had a goal in the 6-2 victory. Kyle McClellan was excellent in net stopping 26 of 28 shots.
Improving to 5-6-2 on the year, the Lancers made a trade by moving forward, Erik Middendorf, and 2 draft picks to Steel for three Phase I draft picks.
Storm
In their first game of the week, the Storm took on the Buccaneers and won 5-2. Carter Mazur, Joseph Molenaar, Ian Murphy, and Colby Ambrosio’s two goals moved the Storm to 6-6-1-1 on the year. All of the Bucs goals came in the third period, besides Mazur’s. The Buccaneers were all out of sorts by only getting 10 shots on net Daniel Allin stopped eight of them.
Their second game of the week was again against the Buccaneers. This time, the result was not in favor of the Storm. Thanks to Benji Eckerle, the Storm held an early lead. Colby Ambrosio tied the game at two after falling behind in the second frame and Michael Koster tied the game back up at three. Joseph Molenaar scored a late goal in the third period but the Storm were too far behind at that point. They lost 8-4. Daniel Allin made 10 of 16 saves and was pulled late in the third period in favor of Joe Sharib who was 0/1 on his opportunity.
Stars
Taking the on the Lancers at home, the Stars found themselves in a hole they couldn’t get out of. They fell 6-2, no thanks to Christian Sarlo and Matthew Barbolini. Ryan McInchak made 12 of 18 saves.
In their second game, the Stars went to overtime where they defeated the Stampede, 4-3. After falling behind 2-0 early, Christian Sarlo netted one to head into the second period down 2-1. With a scoreless second, Blais Richartz scored just under five minutes into the third period. Matthew Miller tied the game with under 30 seconds remaining and Anthony Follmer scored the game-winner with under one minute remaining in overtime. Jacob Muticelli was solid in net going 22 of 25.
Steel
Chicago acquired forward Erik Middendorf, a 4th round selection in the 2020 Phase I draft, and a second-round pick in 2021 Phase I draft from the Omaha Lancers. Chicago sends a first-round selection in the 2020 and 2021 Phase I draft and a third-round pick in 2021 Phase I draft.
Improving to 10-3-1 on the year, the Steel now hold a game and a half lead over the Saints in the Eastern Conference. The Steel took on the Capitols Friday night in a 3-1 winning effort thanks to Matty De St. Phalle, Sam Colangelo, and Uula Ruikka. Ian Shane decided to do his best impression of the Man of Steel making 33 of 34 saves.
In game two against the Capitols, the Steel were again victorious, this time it was a little easier though. Winning 9-1, the Steel’s goal scorers were Mackie Samoskevich (2), Tyler Carpenter, Owen Power, Sam Colangelo (2), Brendan Brisson, Uula Ruikka, and Dawson Pasternak. Their power play efforts were stellar as they scored on all three of their opportunities. Victor Ostman matched and raised Ian Shane’s performance from the night before as he made 31 of 32 saves.
Stampede
If you were to ask the Stampede where they thought they would be after 11 games in, no one would have predicted the bottom of the West. Sitting at 2-7-2, the Stampede dropped their one game against the Stars last week, 4-3 in overtime. Brian Carrabes, Ryan Sullivan, and Tyler Coffey were the goal scorers and Grant Adams was in net going 34 of 38. A fight between Ryan Sullivan and Matthew Barbolini warranted 15 minutes in penalties apiece.
Capitols
In the only bright spot of the Capitols week, forward Jack Horbach committed to play at the University of Wisconsin. He’s the Capitol to commit this season and joins nine teammates with a commitment.
After losing both games last week to the Steel, the Capitols now sit at 2-12. Kristoff Papp was the lone goal scorer in the 3-1 loss and Simon Latkoczy was in net making 32 of 35 saves. Game two was no better as Stepan Pokorny was along in the goal column in the 9-1 loss. Simon Latkoczy got the start in net and was 16 for 21. He was replaced in the second period for Garret Mackay who made 11 of 15 saves.
Musketeers
In non-game related news, the Musketeers sent defenseman, Adam Samuelsson, to the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. Samuelsson was a 5th round pick by the Wolves. The Musketeers also learned that forward Blake Biondi will be returning to his high school, Hermantown High School, hockey team and has been moved to the 2002 Affiliate List.
In an odd week for the Musketeers, they won their first game against the Phantoms, 2-1. Viktor Masilevich jump-started the game by scoring under 1 minute in. Joel Maatta took a pass from Josh Nixon and Dominic Vidoli and netted it just over halfway through the second to score what turned out to be the game-winner. Ethan Haider didn’t see many shots but those that he did, he made the most of. He was 19 of 20 on save opportunities.
Game two was again against the Phantoms where they fell, 4-1. Ray Christy had a quick answer to Phantom’s John Beaton’s goal, but they were silent after that. In net was Aidan Harper who was 28 for 32.
Phantoms
Splitting their two games last week, Youngstown improved to 7-5-2 on the season. Reilly Funk scored the only goal against the Musketeers in a 2-1 defeat, but Dominic Basse padded his stats by making 29 of 31 saves. He unfortunately also added a loss to his stat sheet.
In game two, the Phantoms won 4-1 thanks to John Beaton, Trevor Kuntar, Reilly Funk, and Jan Kern. Dominic Basse was in net again making 25 of 26 saves.
Leading the Western Conference are the Black Hawks with a 9-3-1 record and in the East, the Steel lead with a 10-3-1 record.
Points Leaders:
Sean Farrell, Steel, 20
Matty De St. Phalle, Steel, 19
Trevor Kuntar, Phantoms, 19
Goals Leaders:
Matty De St. Phalle, Steel, 10
Trevor Kuntar, Phantoms, 10
Oliver MacDonald, Lumberjacks, 10
Assists Leaders:
Sean Farrell, Steel, 14
Jordan Power, Stars, 12
Christian Sarlo, Stars, 11
Goalie Wins Leaders:
Victor Ostman, Steel, 7
Erik Portillo, Saints, 6
Ethan Haider, Musketeers, 6
Save Percentage Leaders:
Logan Stein, Black Hawks, .929%
Gabriel Carriere, Black Hawks, .923%
Victor Ostman, Steel, .912%
Goals Against Average Leaders:
Logan Stein, Black Hawks, 1.78
Gabriel Carriere, Black Hawks, 2.05
Victor Ostman, Steel, 2.12
Come back next week to get more USHL news and be sure to follow me on Twitter @Nwinansw. I’ll see you next week.
Winans Writing Consulting 