POST-GAME ANALYSIS

Grade: 109

You can only beat Carter George with a highly skilled effort and a side of tricks. One-of-the-two goals George allowed, the opposition literally juggled the puck on his stick three times before lobbing it into the net. The other goal came on the PP, the opposition five feet from the net, top cheese. One thing I will say about George is that he could – not did, but could – get beaten when he gets a bit liberal with his positioning and eagerness. In that world, he has a wide starfish stance, leaving both the five and seven holes exposed. When he’s calm, cool, and collected, George is the man. …You ever see the show Parks and Recreation? He’s Congressman David Murray. – Keith Fries

Grade: 97

Jared Woolley seems to have a certain level of self-awareness about what he can and cannot do. Usually paired with Henry Brzustewicz, the duo were split up at the start of the second period, Woolley kept on the top-pairing. I’ve often seen Woolley cast not just as LD1 but as the top Defenseman in London, period. He’s got some untapped potential on offense… Heavy wrist shot… Noteworthy backhand pass. I wouldn’t say that’s his calling card, though. Being a safety blanket who is willing to jump into the play is a more accurate listing. – Keith Fries

Grade: 106

Public narrative is that Henry Brzustewicz was drafted with the intention of becoming a puck-moving Defenseman at the professional level. And, if that narrative is true, there is work to be done – particularly Brzustewicz’s passing speed and pass location. Brzustewicz has some snarl, in his game, and it may be unfair to limit his potential simply to offense. In this outing, he laid a big check, drew a penalty and kept chirping the opposition in the box, and – towards the end of regulation – joined a brawl which resulted in a game misconduct. You can tell he wears his heart on his sleeve, breaking his stick against the post after allowing an empty net goal. I don’t know if he’ll translate into an Offensive Defenseman as pundits declare. But, neither did Drew Doughty; who turned out to be a Two-Way Defenseman with offensive flare. – Keith Fries

Grade: 105

Ryan Conmy was called upon for a lot of situational hockey – 5-on-5, PP, PK – which shows a significant level of trust from the coaching staff. Conmy shows good strength on his puck control – at one point, roping in a loose puck gliding away from him, and got a shot off – and passing. But, when it comes to strength of body, he gets pushed around quite easily; hitting the ice after being shoved. He has good awareness for play development. But, he also took a big hit; showing a lack of awareness of his surroundings. Earlier in the game, Conmy avoided getting physical during a scrum. At the end of the game, he joined the scrum (and was thrown to the ice). Still, physical strength and strength of character are two separate measuring sticks. In the case of the latter, Conmy was tasked with a lot of TOI in the final minutes of regulation and never appeared tired or lacked compete. – Keith Fries

Kopitar, Anze

Strength(s): Awareness, Faceoffs, Wrist Shot Power, Net-Front Presence, Strength, Discipline, Poise, Acceleration

Weakness(es): Deking, Fighting

Turcotte, Alex

Strength(s): Faceoffs, Passing, Puck Control, Discipline, Poise, Acceleration, Footwork, Speed

Weakness(es): Shot Blocking, Deking, Slap Shot Accuracy, Slap Shot Power, Fighting