AHL [Apr-06]: Its Crunch Time

Shining Bright Stars: (posted 4.24.06)

by David Burstyn

The Syracuse Crunch are preparing for the AHL playoffs. They finished in the top half of the league and were one of a few teams to surpass the 100 point mark. McKeen's was on hand and files these notes on several Crunch players.

Marc Methot (CBJ), D, Syracuse

Has made the adjustment to the pro game rather well .. he is not the type of player to try too play outside his limits .. is a reliable stay-at-home defender who impresses with his mobility .. still needs to get used to the calibre of players and their speed to make appropriate adjustments while defending .. a fixture on the PK, he hangs back and makes defending his goal a top priority .. still needs further seasoning but has made the necessary steps in his game to compete at this level. AHL totals (70gp, 2-11-13, +4)

Geoff Platt (CBJ), C, Syracuse

Has played in every league this season including stops in the ECHL and the NHL .. impresses with his razzle dazzle style of play .. constantly thrusting himself into the offensive zone and shooting, creating many chances to score as he is quick to get pounce on his own rebound .. gets pushed around a lot in the dirty areas of the ice, but is able to split defenders and draw penalties when he has the puck on his stick .. a permanent fixture on the PP .. he sees the ice well and is equally adept at making passes in traffic or when two players converge on him at once .. size has always been an issue, while he can not grow anymore he can most certainly add some much needed weight and strength to improve his overall game .. a dynamic player who may be able to elevate his game at an NHL level but will need to be on a top scoring line to be effective. AHL totals (66gp, 30-35-65, +1)

Joakim Lindstrom (CBJ), LW, Syracuse

A skilled forward with a generous offensive skill set .. feisty and can protect himself, but does not seek confrontation .. goes to the net but is not able to stand there for too long, however he does have quick hands that enable him to score in tight .. has good speed and a quick first step ..his lack of strength forces him to make fast decisions with the puck as he is knocked off it rather easy .. always wants the puck, very vocal as you can hear him in the stands and at times displays selfishness with the puck .. has had a brief audition in the NHL this year and will need to continue to work on all facets of his game to make the jump. AHL totals (64gp, 14-29-43, +8)

Mark Flood (CBJ), D, Syracuse

First year defender is learning the AHL ropes as he spent the majority of his first pro year in the ECHL .. modest frame and quick feet .. he plays too high in the defensive zone and looked out of position on several shifts .. decision making with the puck needs to be quicker .. overall his game is quite raw but he should be able to learn from his mistakes and experiences. AHL totals (9gp, 1-1-2, -4)

Shining Bright Stars: (posted 4.2.06)

by David Burstyn

The Prince Albert Raiders failed to make the WHL playoffs this season by one point. While most of the players packed it in for the year Kyle Chipchura moved on to greener pastures as he was immediately signed to an ATO contract by the Hamilton Bulldogs. McKeen's was on hand recently at Copps Coliseum and files these notes on Chipchura's performance as well as Manchester Monarch Noah Clarke.

Kyle Chipchura (Mtl), C, Hamilton

Captain of gold medal World Junior team certainly did not look out of place in his second professional game .. he is a big strong kid who should only get stronger .. at times he was out muscled in the corners and along the boards, but he'll be able to add strength in the off season to better prepare himself .. he is very smart as he was positionally sound especially in the offensive zone .. showed tentativeness in his own end as he did not want to over commit to the puck carrier in supporting his defenseman for fear of a pass being made to his assigned man .. has an effortless glide and deceptive speed, however could still stand to be a little quicker .. skating is NHL calibre already as he shows great promise as a player who can play a smart defensive role while still chipping in some offence .. could see some call ups as early as next season if injuries hit the Montreal organization. WHL totals (59gp, 21-34-55), AHL totals (8gp, 1-2-3)

Noah Clarke (LA), LW, Manchester

A player who compliments the top line with his scoring ability and puck distribution skills .. light on his feet but he does have a nice stride with adequate speed .. anticipates well .. defensively he sticks with his man .. very small but gifted in offensive situations as he can work along the half boards holding onto the puck till teammates get into position. AHL totals (69gp, 14-30-44), NHL totals (5gp, 0-0-0)

Shining Bright Stars: (posted 4.2.06)

by David Burstyn

The Iowa Stars (affiliated with Dallas Stars) are in their first year of existence. They boast an incredibly young team with many talented Europeans and last year's Hobey Baker winner Junior Lessard. The Stars have big plans for him as they expect him to win a roster spot perhaps as earlier as next season. McKeen's profiles him along with a slew of other talented young players that are in the Dallas organization.

Yared Hagos (Iowa), C

Is more regarded with what he can do without the puck than what he can do with it .. not much of a finisher as his shot lacks the power to be a sniper however he sees the ice fairly well .. Penalty-killing specialist, he is smart positionally and plays an effective game in pressuring the puck carrier into mistakes .. he does not appear to have a separation gear in his skating but once he gets going within a few strides he can create good enough speed to stick handle to spot an open man .. has put up solid numbers and is playing quite a few minutes a game thus maturing him better for a chance at the NHL for a checking role.

Junior Lessard (Iowa), RW

A stocky built player who is very strong on his skates .. smart player who capitalizes on loose pucks and makes solid plays .. not overly fast but he does have fast hands and is able to get his shot off quick .. is a skilled finisher and it is not uncommon for him to be on the first powerplay unit .. works well in transition as he shifts his body and attacks the offensive zone with zest, making defenders back up .. stickhandles very well and is not afraid to take the direct approach to the net .. confidence is growing and he could be honing his trade next season in the NHL or sooner barring any injuries.

Loui Eriksson (Iowa), LW

Enjoying a successful rookie campaign, especially with his adjustment to the offensive side of the game .. is among team leaders in points and goals .. at times he is inconsistent as he is prone to taking shifts off .. he must improve his intensity level and play away from the puck .. when he has the puck he actually appears to be faster .. he has a great first step and really stays low to the ice so he can cut it better .. a flashy playmaker, he does however leave himself exposed and could do a better job protecting the puck .. was effective in his fore and back checking abilities .. very strong lower body but was pushed around in the corners so we will need to add some bulk to be more effective in physical one-on-one battles.

Vojtech Polak (Iowa), RW

Terrific speed as his shifty body works to get in areas for him to unload his wrist shot or slap shot.. shot has a bit of a punch to it and can give the opposition goalie a hard time all night .. can dangle, as his lanky frame allows him to get away from defenders to utilize his shot better .. a perimeter player, he shied away from the rough stuff and was a virtual non factor in the other two zones.

B.J. Crombeen (Iowa), RW

Did not see much ice time throughout the contest as the game consisted of primarily special teams and he does not play on them .. does play an effective five-on-five game as his big strong body is able to create enough speed to compete for loose pucks and make plays in the opposite direction .. works hard and backchecks with due diligence .. offensively he has good tools but is still making the appropriate adjustments to the pro game .. has displayed maturing skills as he started off the season in the ECHL .. his strong work ethic will earn him top marks with the coaching staff.

Mario Scalzo (Iowa), D

After a sensational final year in junior in which he led all defenseman in Memorial Cup scoring he enters his first season of pro hockey .. very small and defensively has a hard time containing forwards, especially on the rush .. relies heavily on stick-checking and using his fast feet to position himself in front of a player .. offensively is where he shines as he is not afraid to push for the offence .. his short, compact stride coupled with his explosive first step makes him more like a fourth forward when he jumps into the play .. he has great vision in PP situations and is able to launch an attack with his sensational ability to make a first pass .. he is shifty and sees the ice very well .. he plays deep but does not often get caught as he is able to recover .. size may be a concern even in the new NHL as he still will need to get stronger and improve his overall defensive game.