Alexandria City Blizzard (5) – Mason City Toros (2)
11.14.21
The teams were evenly matched through the first period, exchanging shots with back and forth action. The Blizzard took several penalties in the middle of the first period, but the Toros were unable to capitalize. The Blizzard wound up opening the scoring on a shorthanded breakaway goal by ’02 Forward Ethan Moerke. The Blizzard expanded their lead on the powerplay after ’02 Forward Cole Klingbeil scored a net front goal off a corner feed from ’03 Forward Joe Gronholz.
The Blizzard powerplay connected again early in the second period with ’03 Forward Matt McIntyre deflecting a point shot from ’02 Defenseman Kaden Peterson. The Toros kept fighting, scoring two late second period goals from ’01 Forward Sota Isogai and ’02 Forward Cullen Hogan. Despite this push, the Blizzard dominated the third period expanding their lead with a goal from ’01 Forward Zachary DeMarce. ’03 Forward Michael DeBrito sealed the victory with an empty net goal.
Scouting Notes
Ethan Moerke – ’02 Forward - Alexandria
He is a play-driving winger who is constantly looking to transport the puck up ice. He does a good job finding open space on the breakout to serve as an option. He has decent pace on his shot. He is an effectively penalty killer using his long reach to block passing lanes. He is also dangerous on the counter-attack creating shorthanded scoring chances. He could be better on the walls in his own zone.
Kaden Peterson – ’02 Defenseman – Alexandria
Two-way defenseman who often jumps into the rush to serve as an additional layer of attack. He has a long skating stride that allows him to recover quickly to get back to his defensive assignment. He is calm with the puck in his own zone, even when under pressure. He has a heavy shot from the point. He uses his partner well to alleviate pressure. He is a physical presence, looking to deliver punishment to opponents. He logs heavy minutes and is relied upon to play in all situations.
Matt McIntyre – ’03 Forward – Alexandria
Goal scoring winger who has a high end shot. He is an aggressive forechecker and is often the first man on the puck. He has good stick placement and frequently angles opponents to the outside. He is defensively responsible in his own zone, maintaining solid position and filling the lane to block shots.
Michael DeBrito – ’03 Forward – Alexandria
Two-way center who serves as play driver for the top line. He is relied upon heavily to transition the puck through the neutral zone and facilitate offense for his teammates. He has excellent vision and creates a significant amount of scoring chances for his teammates. He has a quick release, highly accurate shot. He is strong on the faceoff dots, frequently winning his draws.
Joe Gronholz – ’03 Forward – Alexandria
He is a playmaking winger who has excellent vision in the offensive zone, often able to make an East-West pass to create a quality scoring chance. He has a wide skating base that makes him strong on pucks and this allows him to generate good speed to get to all areas of the ice. He has a strong cycle game, maintaining pressure in the offensive zones in the corners and along the walls. His playmaking ability has him averaging almost two points per game.
Sota Isogai – ’01 Forward – Mason City
Two-hundred foot winger with a diverse skill set. He is a good skater, with speed, who can transition the puck up ice. He has poise with the puck, surveying the play to find open teammate. He will draw opponents to him to create space for others. He has excellent vision in the offensive zone. He has a lightning quick release on his shot and is pretty accurate. He is constantly hustling and provides strong back pressure.
Cullen Hogan – ’02 Forward – Mason City
Two-hundred foot centerman who is strong through the center of the ice and in all three zones. He is a high IQ hockey player who does a lot of things right. He is defensively responsible, often serving as third man high in the offensive zone. He is also heavily relied upon to kill penalties.
Carter Newpower – ’02 Forward – Mason City
Two hundred foot winger. He skates well with good speed that allows him to cover all areas of the ice. He makes good decisions when handling the puck. He has the ability to transition the puck from his own zone into the offensive zone. He is tough along the walls and in the corners, routinely winning puck battles in the offensive zone. He is a strong backcheck, lifting sticks to create turnovers.