General Game Notes: BCHL action between the Cowichan Valley Capitals and the Victoria Grizzlies on November 26th, 2023. A low scoring affair saw the Capitals prevail by a score of 2-1, led by a 40+ save performance from goaltender Cody Butikis #29.
| Cody Butikis | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | L | G | 6’2″ | 201 | Sewell, NJ | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: A
Comments: Butikis had a lights out performance for the Capitals, single handedly being the best player on the ice. Made stop after stop in big moments of the game to either keep it tied, or preserve the lead. In the 1st period, stopped a penalty shot and when the game got more important, he shut the door when necessary. Butikis has good size and moves well on his feet and on his knees. Made many saves from point blank areas, and followed his rebound by staying connected to the puck and sealing the ice low to make second and third chance saves. One of the better traits he has is his ability to fight through traffic. Keeps his hands out in front of him whether he looks around the screen or over-top of it. By doing so, he is finding pucks and tracking them into his body, opposed to just getting ‘hit’. If pucks were in front of him, he battled to either get in front of it, or cover it. Compete level was high and he was a huge reason why the Capitals won the game.
| Brady Yakesh | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | R | D | 5’8″ | 175 | Minnesota | 2024 | Delano, MN | 2003 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Yakesh is a right shot defenseman who has good skating and puck handling abilities. Was effective retrieving pucks because he could keep his feet moving, creating separation from his opponents. While doing so, he shoulder checked, kept the puck and either distributed it up ice or kept it himself for a breakout. Always tried to join the rush as the second wave of offense, and if nothing came of the situation, back-checked accordingly. Not the most technically sound defender, but has a high enough skill-set and IQ to read plays and shut them down in the defensive zone.
| Andrej Kovacevic | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | R | LW | 6’1″ | 190 | Quinnipiac | 2024 | Vancouver, BC | 2004 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Kovacevic slows the game down. Skates well, but plays the type of hockey where he controls the puck, slows the game down and makes plays accordingly. Doesn’t throw it away blindly, instead likes to drag defenders towards him and distribute the puck to the open man. Effective on the PP for this reason, as his patience leads to scoring opportunities. Can shoot the puck if necessary and gets to the areas where you get rewarded. Plays a bit on the edge and will be the first in on a scrum and will protect his teammates if necessary.
Luke Lavery | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | L | LW | 6’2″ | 200 | Providence | 2024 | Nanaimo, BC | 2004 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Lavery has many power-forward like traits mixed in with good skill and a good shot. Gets ‘inside’ the game by using his size, strength and speed. Cuts to the middle of the ice and drives the net with a purpose. Owns a good net front presence as his body fills up space and creates chaos. Scored the first goal of the game on an extended powerplay – he grabbed a puck, wheeled around the zone, found an open shooting lane and it let it fly, beating the goaltender short-side.
| Lars Petter Eckholm | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | L | LW | 6’0″ | 187 | Festund, NOR | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Eckholm made plays at both ends of the ice. As a defender, he has that offensive instinct and wants to move pucks up the ice to play in the OZ. Has an aggressive defending style as he will poke pucks along the walls and be the first man in on the puck to carry it into the zone. Had some good looks on net and was unable to finish his chances, especially off rush plays. Owns good patience with the puck and can either hold onto it to get better looks on net, or make nice passes to his teammates in open / dangerous areas.
| Gavin Giesbrecht | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | R | RW | 6’0″ | 165 | Ferris State | 2024 | Abbotsford, BC | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Giesbrecht was effective off the rush as he was able to attack with speed and penetrate the middle of the ice. Good straight line skater and wasn’t afraid to put his shoulder down on his opponents to take the puck hard to the net. By getting to the middle of the ice, he was able to get some good looks on net where he was able to show off a quick release and powerful shot.
| Nathan King | Victoria Grizzlies | BCHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 193 | Merrimack | 2024 | Victoria, BC | 2004 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: King made some nice passes on the PP – playing up top, having his head up and surveying to see who was open. For a bigger defender, showed off some nice hands and quick feet on the blue line to create separation and limit turnovers.
| Deven Nagra | Victoria Grizzlies | BCHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 212 | Vaughan, ON | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Nagra didn’t jump out offensively, but simple, smart plays. Whether it was a clean first pass out of his own end, or a nice hit and pin along the wall. He kept the game simple, but often made the right play allowing his team to keep puck possession or getting it back.
| Patrick Murphy | Victoria Grizzlies | BCHL | R | RW | 5’10” | 177 | Brown | 2024 | North Kingston, RI | 2005 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Murphy had many good offensive chances throughout the game, including a penalty shot in the first period. Although he was unable to convert on his chances, he had the opportunities. He did so, by using his speed, attacking the net with a purpose and stopping there. Did a good job at finding loose pucks in the slot area and getting pucks on net quickly.
| Tim Busconi | Victoria Grizzlies | BCHL | R | D | 6’1″ | 165 | Dartmouth | 2024 | Milton, MA | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Busconi was able to retrieve pucks cleanly and make crisp breakout passes up the ice. As a right shot defenseman, he continually showed off a good mix of solid defending and joining in offensively. Not the most physical player, but had an active stick in the defensive zone that was able to disrupt plays. Offensively, walked the blue line well and got shots towards the net (with traffic).
| Reegan Hiscock | Victoria Grizzlies | BCHL | L | LW | 6’4″ | 179 | Northeastern | 2024 | St. John’s, NL | 2004 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Hiscock is a taller, lankier forward with a long reach and good skill. A good mix of strength and skill as he gets to the hard areas (because of his size) and has the ability to corral pucks, not panic and get good looks offensively. Plants himself in front of the net making it hard for his opponents to move him, and has the ability to get his stick on loose pucks. Made some high-end plays in the offensive zone either making some nice passes or getting quick release shots on net.
| Anthony Carone | Victoria Grizzlies | BCHL | R | RW | 6’1″ | 183 | Holy Cross | 2024 | St. Clair, PA | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Carone has the ability to make nifty passes in tight areas. Despite being pressured, finds ways to make slip plays through his opponents triangles, finding his teammates in open areas. All night he was able enter the OZ with speed and find his teammates streaking towards the net. Seems to always have his head up, and hands in a shooting / passing position, allowing him to be ready for whatever comes his way to make the right play.
| Chase Pirtle | Victoria Grizzlies | BCHL | R | RW | 6’2″ | 183 | Cornell | 2024 | Far Hills, NJ | 2005 | 2023-2024: C 2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Pirtle is a diverse, offensive forward who is a threat every time he enters the zone. He brings different elements to his game, as he definitely has a shoot first mentality, but can pass the puck as well. By doing so, he is hard to read and defend against. Scored the only goal of the game by receiving a puck in the high slot, moving his feet, gaining some space and ripping a bullet beating the goaltender cleanly. His release is quick, and the power behind the shot creates problems for goaltenders.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images