Neutral Zone was in attendance at the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall Township, New Jersey, on February 7, 2024. In this game, the hometown 87s defeated the visiting Philadelphia Hockey Club by a score of 2-1. Each player has been given a grade based solely on their performance in this game.
NJ 87s
Landon Adams #56 (F, L, 5’11”, 183, NJ 87s, 02/04/2004) – Adams had no points but had several chances. He keeps the feet moving, goes to the right places, and forces the play well. The wheels are good, and he is fearless. Grade: B-
Blake Dustin #22 (F, R, 6’2″, 187, NJ 87s, 12/12/2003, Lebanon Valley) – Dustin scored on a nice wrist shot, picking the corner on the rush from the right circle. He is strong and plays a good two-way game. He battles hard and uses his stick well. Grade: A-
Alexander Haar #10 (F, R, 5’10”, 165, NJ 87s, 04/24/2005) – Alex played a good game. He scored a nice wrist shot in the second. He has good hands, and the feet keep moving. As an ’05, there is some good upside. Grade: B+
Ryan Karbach #28 (F, R, 5’11”, 170, NJ 87s, 08/04/2003) – Ryan is strong on the puck and goes to the right places, creating a lot down low. The numbers are deceptive. He makes the good basic play and gets back well. Grade: B
Mikhail Kukareka #42 (D, L, 5’10”, 175, NJ 87s, 07/01/2004) – Mikhail was the best player here. He is an excellent skater and very calm at both ends of the tice. On defense, he has an active stick, plays the man, has great range, and is very tough to beat. He likes to move up in the zone and wants the puck. His passes have a good touch to them. In the third, he made a perfect feed across the zone. Grade: A
Aidan Lasky #23 (F, R, 6’2″, 188, NJ 87s, 08/06/2004) – We liked Lasky’s size and long stride. He finds the open ice well and is also all over the ice on the forecheck and getting back. As an ’04, there is upside here. Grade: B-
Lucas Salas #5 (D, R, 5’9″, 169, NJ 87s, 11/03/2003) – Lucas is a highly skilled defender. He has great mobility and quick hands. He eludes forechecker smoothly, but at times, he has to be wary of over-carrying. His passing is accurate, and he has a good touch. The skills really stand out on every shift. Grade: B+
Nicolas Tirch #12 (F, R, 5’7″, 170, NJ 87s, 08/12/2003) – Nick is a hard worker who you just keep noticing, forcing turnovers and buzzing. Grade: LV
Eric Vivinetto #21 (F, R, 5’10”, 185, NJ 87s, 10/08/2004) – Eric really stands out at this level. He is a good skater with speed and a lot of gears. He has great hands, sees the ice well, and is very confident and patient with the puck. He almost scored in the first on a nice move in deep, then got a shot that used the screen that was close. He keeps moving with the puck shifting gears. He didn’t get any stats here, but he was visible on every shift as a good possession guy. Grade: B+
Philadelphia Hockey Club
Hunter Engelman #20 (F, L, 6’2″, 190, Philadelphia Hockey Club EHL, 03/03/2004) – We had to love Hunter’s snarl. This big ’04 has upside, engages, and plays a good, strong, no-nonsense game. Grade: LV
Paul Johnson #26 (D, R, 5’11”, 180, Philadelphia Hockey Club EHL, 09/11/2003) – Johnson stood out for us. He has good hands and loves to carry. His vision is good, and he uses his partner as an option well. Like a quarterback, he talks and directs traffic well. On defense, he gets back well off the rushes and has a good stick. Throughout the entire game, he moved the puck well up ice by the rush or the pass. He is a solid two-way defender. Grade: A-
Kieran Kenny #24 (D, R, 5’11”, 180, Philadelphia Hockey Club EHL, 06/10/2004) – Kenny is strong and has a good stick on defense. Grade: LV
Liam O’Donoghue #3 (D, L, 6’1″, 200, Philadelphia Hockey Club EHL, 02/16/2004) – Liam is a fluid skater, one of the best in this game, which he uses as an asset at both ends. On defense, he has good four-way movement and a good active stick. On the attack, he loves to join the play and sees the ice well. He keeps his feet moving and has good acceleration on the rush. He has nice upside. Grade: B+
Jesse Shogan #2 (F, L, 6’2″, 183, Philadelphia Hockey Club EHL, 04/22/2004) – Shogan is a strong defender who contributes at both ends of the ice. He has a strong core and plays the man well on defense. His feet are good, and he is tough to beat one-on-one. He has good offensive skills, he has a good outlet, and he does not overhandle. Grade: C+
Jacob Smith #6 (F, L, 6’0″, 185, Philadelphia Hockey Club EHL, 03/19/2004) – Jake has a great motor and is all over the ice. He always seems to be on the puck and is a great forechecker. In the 2nd, he took the puck off the defenseman in the left corner after the defender came around the net, then cut in front and almost scored. He has good puck skills and is an accurate passer. Smith is a versatile ’04 with upside that could play many roles. Grade: A-
Roman Winicki #9 (F, L, 5’8″, 145, Philadelphia Hockey Club EHL, 04/02/2003) – A quiet day for Roman, but we can see the puck skills. He was strong on the forecheck and also got back. Grade: C+
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling
