NE Prep: Fight to the Finish

Both Taft and Hotchkiss had solid seasons, but found themselves battling for one of the last two-playoff spots in the West. The two teams squared off in the final game of the season and in the end, Hotchkiss won 3-2 securing a playoff date against No. 2 seed - Avon Old Farms. McKeen's was on hand and reviews several prospects.

Drew MacKenzie (2007), D, Taft (JR)

Has a long stride with average speed .. has good size (6-1, 195) .. not afraid to jump up into the offense .. has a long reach and uses it effectively on the PK .. possesses an average shot from the point and he keeps it low for deflections .. all game his outlet passes were off the mark and had too many giveaways in the neutral zone .. looks like his offensive game still needs much developing .. with his team missing the postseason, his draft status may drop. Stats: (3-10-13)

Andrew Balysky (2008), F, Taft (JR)

Logs a lot of icetime and plays on the power play and penalty kill .. last year he seemed to jump out at you with his non-stop energy, physical play, and offensive talent, but did not seem to bring the same game this season .. might have felt the pressure of playing on the first line and may be best suited for second or third line duty .. can skate really well with the puck and moves over the ice with great speed .. does play a smart game with the puck and has good two-way ability. Stats: (10-16-26)

Robbie Bourdon (2008), F, Taft (SO)

The sophomore receives a good amount of icetime .. has good speed, but does not use it enough .. listed as 5-foot-9, 155 pounds and lacks a physical game .. his best asset is in the offensive zone where he moves the puck very well and uses his linemates effectively .. will be relied upon for more scoring next year. Stats: (4-6-10)

Kevin Nugent (2007), F, Taft (JR)

Has good size at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds but is a weak skater with his long legs and wide skating stride .. lacks speed and needs to keep his feet moving but played a good defensive game .. had a nice cross-crease pass to Bobby Kramer in the second to help Taft tie the score, 2-2 .. lacks a scoring touch. Stats: (7-15-22)

George Hughes (2007), D, Taft (JR)

Outplayed his highly touted teammate Drew MacKenzie .. scored in the first period with a quick snapshot from the point that went five-hole .. has good size at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds .. made solid outlet passes .. possesses a strong shot from the point and wastes no time getting it to the net .. skates very well with the puck while skating backward and creates more space to make a better pass .. has good positioning defensively in the corners and is able to battle for loose pucks .. is strong in front of his own net. Stats: (3-8-11)

Andrew Margolin (2007), G, Taft (SR)

Committed to Boston College for 2007 .. another solid season, but could not repeat last years run to the championship game .. needs to work on his rebound control as proven by the first goal allowed by sending the rebound into the slot and the shot came back and trickled in .. second goal allowed went off his defenseman and the game-winner went in glove side .. leaves a lot of room up top when he goes down due to his size but covers the bottom of the net very well .. depending on the status Boston College's Cory Schneider, Margolin and fellow prep recruit John Muse (Nobles) will be battling for playing time .. if Schneider stays, then Margolin will likely back him up, while Muse will play a year in the USHL. Stats: (50 goals-against, 648 saves, .928 save percentage)

Players to Watch:

Matt Herskovitz (2007), D, Taft (JR) Stats: (0-4-4)

Tommy Cantwell (2007), F, Taft (JR) Stats: (2-6-8)

Kevin Reich (2008), D, Taft (SO) Stats: (0-1-1)

John Yanchek (2007), G, Hotchkiss (JR)

Listed as 5-foot-8, 165 pounds .. is the main reason Hotchkiss made the playoffs this season .. the first goal allowed was a screen shot that went five-hole and the second was a nice goal that was unstoppable .. remains square to the shooter and has solid rebound control. Stats: (45 goals-against, 677 saves, .937 save percentage)

Zach Martin (2008), F, Hotchkiss (SO)

A 1990 date-of-birth .. scored in the first on a rebound with a backhand and the puck just trickled in .. has a good, long stride .. physical in all zones of the ice, but needs to get stronger .. back checked hard, but did not seem as intense physically compared to his play at the Founders League Jamboree .. a definite player to watch. Stats: (7-13-20)

Adam Kaiser (2007), F, Hotchkiss (SR)

Lacks size at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds .. has quick, smooth strides and is willing to go hard to the net, but lacks strength and is easily knocked around when loose pucks come his way .. has a quick release .. a solid team player, who sacrifices his body to block shots .. will likely have to play a year of juniors to attract more interest or will go right to a top Division III school. Stats: (9-8-17)

Mac Bennett (2009), D, Hotchkiss (FR)

The small freshman has a lot of developing to do, but seems to have the proper tools in glimpses .. scored in the first period with a shot from the point that deflected off a Taft player and ended up going top corner .. frequently pinches-in from the point but must learn to pick his spots better .. needs to get defensively stronger in the corners .. in the second, made a bad defensive pass that almost cost his team a goal .. moves the puck well on the power play .. solid stats for a freshman Stats: (6-5-11)

Players to Watch:

Peter Massar (2007), F, Hotchkiss (JR) Stats: (17-9-26)

Andrew Irving (2007), F, Hotchkiss (SR) Stats: (10-11-21))