USHL: Big Bucs - Palushaj, Petry lead Des Moines

Thanks to the heroics of 2007 NHL Draft prospect Aaron Palushaj, and the strong play of Edmonton Oilers prospect Jeff Petry, the Des Moines Buccaneers have advanced to the second round of the Clark Cup Playoffs by defeating the Omaha Lancers. Palushaj scored the series-winning goal in double overtime in Game 5. McKeen's was on hand for a recent contest and reviews several Buccaneers who have made an impact this season.

Aaron Palushaj (2007), RW, Des Moines

Fluid all-compass skater with a deceptive top gear but still needs to improve his poor first step .. seems faster with the puck than without it .. uses a long stick and possesses soft hands with some slick one-on-one moves .. shields the puck well .. exceptional on the powerplay and especially dangerous down low .. hockey strong and is sturdy on his feet, making him difficult to knock off the puck .. sees the ice well despite over handling the puck on a few occasions, as he can be a creative set up man, especially near the net .. bears down and finishes in close .. goes hard to the net and will take a beating to make the play .. does a good job on the forecheck thanks to his decent puck pursuit .. takes good angles to the puckcarrier and uses his long reach to clog lanes .. anticipates well and does a fine job creating turnovers .. finishes checks and shows good character, as he has fought a few times this year .. inconsistent defensively, as he will come back and make a strong play down low but will also cheat and leave the zone to early .. if he falls past the second round, some team could have a steal, as he is reminiscent to a poor man's Thomas Vanek.

Taylor Matson (2007), C, Des Moines

Adjusted well to the USHL after spending the year playing high school hockey in Minnesota .. possesses a quick and strong stride with a fine top gear and good acceleration .. has a well-constructed frame and uses it well to be a fine physical player .. shows a good motor and strong puck pursuit .. good two-way player who hustles hard away from the puck including a superb effort on the backcheck .. possesses decent hands .. sees the ice adequately and can keep the play moving forward with a pass .. drives the middle and is an instinctive player.. his ability to finish was a standout quality in high school, but in the USHL, he has been unable to get himself into scoring areas to display his wicked shot .. solid mid-round pick.

Ben Ryan (2007), C, Des Moines

Has a choppy and upright stride that still gives him good acceleration and quickness but he lacks a top gear .. gritty kid with a good motor and puck pursuit .. mixes things up and can be a spark plug for his team .. solid two-way center that picks up his man well and will come down low to help defensively .. an asset to the penalty kill and is strong on faceoffs .. sees the ice decently and distributes the puck adequately, but is not a creative playmaker .. owns a decent release with fine accuracy but is not a natural goal scorer .. his two-way play and heart, are the attractive qualities that will make him a mid-round selection before moving on to play for Notre Dame next fall.

Shane Sims (NYI), D, Des Moines

Possesses a heavy slapshot with a quick release .. skilled offensive-type that can skate the puck up the ice and at times, find that extra gear to get around the opposition .. decent but not a great skater and lacks explosiveness .. sees the ice well and distributes the puck decently, but lacks the top-end vision and creativity to be a powerplay quarterback at the next level .. sturdy on his feet with deceptive strength, as he handles the rough stuff well .. decent one-on-one defender, as he competes hard and can get physical .. needs to understand when to attack and when not to, as he can be beaten because of his over aggressiveness .. has had an okay season but has not developed quite as well as hoped .. definitely benefiting from playing with Jeff Petry.

Mike Dorr (2007), LW, Des Moines

Started the season with Des Moines before going to back to play high school hockey in Minnesota .. now back with the Buccaneers and was immediately put the left wing of their second line .. effortless skater with great speed once he gets going, as he can reach his top gear with just a few strides .. has a non-stop motor and forechecks or backchecks equally hard .. defensively responsible player who is useful on the penalty kill and is a willing shotblocker .. can play center or wing and has been used on the point for the second powerplay unit .. vision is below average, as he skates himself into bad situations and struggles to utilize his linemates .. is knocked off his feet a lot but did hold off Nick Petrecki along the boards on one occasion .. recently committed to the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Jeff Petry (Edm), D, Des Moines

The best defenseman in the league will play for Michigan State next fall .. is a great skater that is elegant on his feet with an effortless and powerful stride in all directions .. dangerous when he decides to skate the puck up the ice but does not do so enough, as he is always aware of his defensive responsibilities .. hands are soft and his skill set is underrated .. vision is top-notch, as he makes a great first pass or can quarterback the powerplay .. owns an accurate 98 mph slapshot that is the heaviest in the league .. often elects to take a little off his shot to release the puck more quickly with his fine wristshot and does a good job of keeping it low and on the net .. has a great head for the game at both ends .. more physical this year and uses his great lateral mobility to line up a stiff hip check time to time .. savvy one-on-one defender, as he uses his reach well and maintains proper body positioning at all times .. gap control is flawless .. still could stand to add some bulk to his lanky frame, as his upper-body strength is just average for a player of his height .. backbone of this team and is a true leader .. poised and can change the pace of the game to his liking .. an astute selection by the Edmonton Oilers.

Austin Handley (2008), D, Des Moines

Mean stay-at-home defenseman .. stands up his man well at the blueline and is a good open-ice hitter .. for such a young kid he possesses a big and well-constructed frame giving him commanding strength .. comfortable with the puck and makes safe decisions with it .. protects his goalie with vigor and does a good job covering the crease area .. owns a mean streak .. does a good job on the penalty kill and is the type of defenseman that can be lined up against the opposition's top line to shut them down.