The Hockey News’s Sam Stockton posted a review of the Red Wings prospects’ 4-2 loss to Dallas last night:
Soderblom’s first period goal offers an example of a different type of winning NHL hockey. The finish is little more than a tap-in, nothing out of the ordinary, but the play Soderblom makes to facilitate the puck along to his line-mates (Nate Danielson and Cross Hanas) is excellent.
A major question facing Soderblom’s fledgling career is whether he can skate at a high enough level to contribute to an NHL team. On this sequence, Soderblom shows that even in spots where he’s giving up a speed advantage, he can use his frame and reach to make plays.
Soderblom is pursuing Dallas defender Jacob Murray (67 in green) into the corner for a dumped puck. Murray has a head start and positional advantage, but Soderblom is able to cut him off as the pair head toward the end boards and prevent the Dallas D man from making a play.
I’m not sure Soderblom even gets a touch on the puck, but his effort and leverage prevent Murray from making a play, and instead, the puck continues around the boards for Danielson and then Hanas. Instead of a chance for a clean Dallas exit, Detroit gets the opportunity to pursue offense, and the Red Wings capitalize.
