It is no surprise that a player with the surname Vanacker would draw attention but it goes even further beyond that. He plays with purpose, making quick cuts and fast movements and the power and confidence to make things happen. In this game, I noted he started off slow, slipping through the cracks both literally and figuratively. Rather than dominate possessions consistently, he was creating chances in short bursts. He ended the night with two assists but given his stature, I was still expecting more. Later on when Sun County started to rally from behind he delivered, upping his intensity level and aggression, finishing checks and stealing pucks. He showed the dominant ability to take over shifts, driving the net and making needle threading passes to his teammates with consistency. Had he shown this more frequently sooner, the game would have certainly looked different.

It wasn’t an outstanding performance, but Vanacker was still the primary standout on his squad. He was typically at the heart of the play, controlling offensive zone sequences, and dominating possession. Roman controlled the play really well in the offensive zone, combining smart touches and his frame to protect the puck, making him difficult to knock off in small-area situations. There were a few sequences where he effectively spun off a check, created space, and then attacked a seam for a high-danger chance. While it wasn’t the best I’ve seen from him, he still showed well, flashing his puck protection ability and how he can create offence off the cycle.

Vanacker is another skater who played up last year, so this wasn't an introduction; however, it was nice to see him competing against his own age group. His handling and playmaking ability stood out in these games, always having the crafty puck move to skirt a check and open up a lane. He always seemed to be creating something off the back of this shiftiness in his game, deceiving defenders and giving him plenty of space to operate in the offensive zone. Most of his offence revolved around these types of sequences, beating a defender with a skill move and then dishing it off to an open teammate.

While I didn't watch the 99ers as much as the Marlies last year, I was still quite familiar with Roman's game from those views. Vanacker played a relentless, off-puck game, always hunting down pucks and applying pressure all over the ice. Roman was just always engaged without the puck, forcing turnover after turnover all game low. When the puck was on his stick, you could see what his game was all about: creativity and handling to try to spark scoring chances. He had more than a handful of nice little moments where he'd dodge a check with a slick touch, create a chance, showcasing his high-end offensive tools. Vanacker scored in the shootout using these quick hands to stun the goalie and tuck one home.