Played on Feb 25, 2026
Game Played in TD Civic Centre
Scout: Ashley Alkan
General Game Notes: Brantford capitalized on all four of their powerplay opportunities en route to a 5-4 win. They had the better of the play for most of the game and outshot Brampton 43-36. Brampton had a couple of chances at the end with the goalie pulled but could not score. Here is a report of the best players from the game:
Lucas Johnson (G, L, 6’1″, 168, Brampton Steelheads, 04/16/2009)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Luke gave up five goals but the score is not indicative of how well he played. Brantford scored 4 powerplay goals against him and many of these were on backdoor plays where he didn’t have a chance. He made some big saves for his team and showed good reactions and held his ground well. He establishes good depth and doesn’t back in, cutting down the angles. He made some breakaway and odd-man rush saves that kept his team within striking distance up until the very end. Luke showed quickness in his leg pads and toes, extending to kick pucks away with great athleticism. He challenges shooters and plays big.
Keaton Ardagh (RW, R, 6’0″, 172, Brampton Steelheads, 07/08/2009)
Game Rating
B+
Keaton Ardagh made an impact from his third-line role, showcasing his ability to create offense and find space in the slot. His first goal was scored by tipping a point shot over the goalie’s glove, demonstrating his anticipation and timing. He also capitalized on a rebound, poking the puck through the five-hole. Keaton showed off his agility with a breakaway opportunity, narrowly missing out on another goal. Notably, he excelled in his forecheck, using deception to retrieve the puck and bring it into the net. His ability to find space at the net front and make plays was also evident.
1 Viewing
Comments: Keaton was at the center of most of his team’s offense, scoring two goals and creating many other chances. He puts himself in good places to be dangerous and create offense. His first goal came off of a play where he sniped top corner with a hard quick-release shot. He underhandled the puck after receiving it and immediately fired it over the top of the goalie’s glove. His second goal came on the powerplay where he went to the backdoor and was ready to poke in a rebound that bounced out to him. He had a couple of other quality scoring chances, taking advantage of both 5v5 and powerplay time. He drives the net hard looking for centering passes and rebound opportunities as he enters the zone. He also moves the puck well on the powerplay and is always ready to shoot. Keaton has speed and uses it to attack well in transition and to push the pace on zone entries.
Kieran Witkowski (LW, L, 5’11”, 182, Brampton Steelheads, 02/07/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Kieran is a play-making winger who possesses good speed through the neutral zone. He is aware of where his teammates are and is ready to move the puck to move the puck quickly when an option becomes available. He made two great centering feeds, including one at the end of the game in the 6v5. Kieran plays on the flank on the powerplay where his puck movement and one-timer allow him to excel. He earned an assist in the game and created many chances and shots on net. He also wasn’t afraid to use his body on the forecheck to win pucks.
Manuel Raposo Amado (C, L, 6’1″, 196, Brampton Steelheads, 02/04/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Manuel did not have a large impact in the majority of his shifts but he did get on the scoresheet twice in this game with two assists. His first assist was off of a nice pass he made from the wall into the soft space. His other assist was on the powerplay where he took a shot in close to the net and his teammates put in the rebound. He plays hard and does a lot of the little things well in a depth role but was also able to impact the offense in tonight’s game.
Matej Stankoven (C, L, 6’0″, 188, Brampton Steelheads, 02/28/2008)
Game Rating
B
Matej Stankoven is a skilled and speedy left winger with strong puck-handling abilities, particularly in his offensive zone. He excels at creating chances by using his agility to deke around opponents and making precise passes to set up scoring opportunities. While he can be inconsistent with the puck on his stick, particularly in the defensive zone, Matej demonstrates a willingness to engage his body along the wall to fight for pucks.
1 Viewing
Comments: Matej showed good speed, work ethic, and moved the puck well in this game. He worked hard on the forecheck and was able to win some pucks down low in the offensive zone. He played with more grit than in my previous viewings of him. His puck-handling is strong and it allows him to make a move around someone and then pass the puck or to create space for himself to get a shot off. He had a great 2v1 chance but the defenseman made a nice long-body dive to poke the puck off of his stick. Matej also showed a willingness to shoot the puck from anywhere, including dead angles in the offensive zone.
Adam Jiricek (D, R, 6’3″, 172, Brantford Bulldogs, 06/28/2006)
Game Rating
A
Adam Jiricek is a skilled defenseman who excels at moving the puck and creating scoring opportunities. His strong footwork and agility allow him to quickly change direction and create space on the ice. He is able to rapidly identify options and make quick passes, often catching his teammates off guard. When faced with defensive situations, Adam demonstrates good anticipation and positioning skills, allowing him to cut off angles and intercept passes.
1 Viewing
Comments: Adam is an elite defenseman who makes an impact all over the ice for his team. He possesses a dangerous shot, bombing the puck on one-timers and also being able to get the puck to his forehand and get strong wrist shots off quickly. He scored tow goals in the game. His first goal was on a backdoor one-timer on the powerplay. His second goal was scored on the backdoor by kicking the puck from his sticks to his stick and then getting it to his forehand and burying it, all before the goalie could get across in time. He does a great job of finding space down at the backdoor on the powerplay. His passing is also impressive as he moves the puck with strength and accuracy. Adam is a deceptive defenseman who has the confidence and puck-handling ability to control the puck through traffic. At the offensive zone blue line he can make moves to beat wingers coming out to challenge him. Although he wasn’t challenged much defensively in this game, he did shot a string poke check in a one-vs-one situation.
Adam Benak (C, L, 5’7″, 166, Brantford Bulldogs, 04/10/2007, Western Michigan)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Adam is a play-making and hard-hitting center who plays with high energy. His vision was unmatched in this game, threading pucks through to his teammates all over the ice. He earned three assist in the game and set up many other chances. He moves his feet with the puck which opens up passing lanes and he is able to move the puck without missing a step. He never stops moving his feet with ot without the puck and is a nightmare on the forecheck for the opponent. He delivers big hits and always finishes his checks. When he is in a race for the puck he initiates contact and works to win the lane to the puck, being completely unafraid to sacrifice his body to win a puck. Adam uses a strong wide base and gets lots to use all of his strength to win pucks and to protect it when it is on his stick. He is confident in his puck-handling and will make quick cuts and fakes to open up passing lanes. He plays a major role on the powerplay where he was able to identify and execute passes to the backdoor, leading to a few goals in this fashion. Adam is a dangerous combination of a play-maker and an energy forward, filling many roles and making a huge impact on both sides of the puck.
Jett Luchanko (RW, R, 5’11”, 191, Brantford Bulldogs, 08/21/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Jett was impressive in his ability to move the puck and set up scoring opportunities. He earned an assist early in the game by driving hard to the middle and then executing a slip pass to a teammate coming in behind him, showing good vision and puck-handling. He also had a highlight reel-worthy sauce pass into an area for his teammate to skate onto for a breakaway. He also had a noteworthy pass off of the wall in the offensive zone behind his back into space. He is very aware of the open spaces and he has the patience and skill to get the puck where he wants to. Jett is dangerous with the puck but he also showed that he is willing to work hard on the forecheck and to pressure the opponent hard. He is not just a finesse player, he will go to work in the dirty areas as well.
Charlie Paquette (RW, R, 6’2″, 201, Brantford Bulldogs, 12/06/2005)
Game Rating
B
Charlie Paquette displayed a well-rounded skillset in this game, showcasing his ability to create scoring chances through smart passing and physical play. He effectively forechecks and engages in battles throughout the ice, using his speed and agility to navigate through traffic. When on zone entries, he reads plays well and delivers precise passes to set up teammates for scoring opportunities. His ability to generate power from a standstill allows him to create separation and capitalize on scoring chances. Paquette’s physicality is also a key aspect of his game, as he uses his strength to win pucks along the wall and create space for himself and others. He can make accurate passes under pressure and execute bump-and-drive plays with ease. Overall, Charlie Paquette’s skillset is well-suited to create scoring chances and contribute to his team’s offense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Charlie did not have much of an impact in this game. The plays that he made were positive but he was not involved in much of his team’s offense or notable plays. He had some nice forechecks and also played well on the penalty-kill but he did not possess the puck much. He is a responsible player who works hard and does what he can to get pucks to the net. On this very loaded Brantford team he flew a bit under the radar. He showed he is willing to use his body and will get in quickly on the forecheck and throw checks to separate defenders from the puck.
Cooper Dennis (RW, R, 5’5″, 151, Brantford Bulldogs, 05/07/2007, Michigan)
Game Rating
B
Cooper Dennis demonstrated a solid skill set in this game, showcasing his ability to find open space on the ice. He consistently found pucks on net, often from advantageous positions, and made smart decisions with the puck. Cooper’s patience was evident in his backdoor one-timer goal, where he waited for the right moment to shoot after a defender slid past him. His breakaway chance also highlighted his ability to create scoring opportunities. He also showed impressive awareness by timing his shots perfectly, often from the slot or high seam areas. Additionally, Cooper displayed strong work ethic on the forecheck, pressuring hard and causing turnovers with his aggressive playstyle. These skills will be valuable assets in future games.
1 Viewing
Comments: Cooper works hard all over the ice, playing a full 200-foot game. He backchecks with purpose and possesses good speed to be able to catch up to the play. He is also a reliable penalty-killer for his team. He plays physical and forechecks hard, pressuring the opponent into mistakes with his speed and physical play. He managed to get four shots on net in this game, including one on the penalty-kill on a turnover. He is a great third-line winger for his team, playing with high energy and providing a spark in the form of speed, physicality, and an ability to take pucks in transition situations and getting them on net. Cooper did turn the puck over on a 4v4 rush which lead to a goal against and led him to finish the game with a -1 plus/minus rating. He had another dangerous pass in the game in the offensive zone and he needs to make sure that he is more consistent with the puck and does not turn it over on zone entry situations or up high in the offensive zone.
Caleb Malhotra (C, L, 6’1″, 184, Brantford Bulldogs, 06/02/2008, Boston University)
Game Rating
B+
Caleb Malhotra is a skilled play-making center who excels at controlling the puck in tight spaces. He displays confidence with the puck, making quick moves through defenders to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities. Additionally, his ability to keep his head up allows him to quickly assess situations and deliver accurate passes. Caleb’s vision and passing ability are notable strengths, as seen in a well-executed diagonal pass during the game. His involvement in a goal, where he set up a teammate with a backdoor pass, showcases his ability to read the game and create scoring chances for his team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Caleb is a smart centerman who is confident with the puck and can manipulate defenders with delays, changes of speed, and his strong puck-handling skills. He earned an assist in this game on a play where he wheeled across the top of the zone, executed a hip fake to get some space on the defender and then dished the puck on his backhand to the backdoor. He possesses the puck well and is able to make quick moves to get it to his forehand and then shoot. He also made a nice delay on a zone entry where he got the defender to bite and drew a penalty as he then went to skate around him. Caleb is not only strong with the puck on his stick but his team relies on him to kill penalties as well. He has a very high ceiling and continues to improve as the season progresses.
Jake O’Brien (C, R, 6’2″, 177, Brantford Bulldogs, 06/16/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Jake’s strong hockey IQ allows him to effectively manage the ice and create scoring opportunities through smart passing. His exceptional vision enables him to quickly identify and capitalize on passing lanes, often resulting in well-placed passes to teammates. Notably, he demonstrated his ability to make plays in tight spaces, using his agility and quick thinking to evade defenders and find open gaps. Jake’s playmaking skills were evident throughout the game, as he assisted on several scoring chances. His accuracy with both forehand and backhand shots was also impressive, particularly in a catch-and-shoot situation where he capitalized on a well-placed pass. Overall, Jake’s hockey sense and passing ability make him a valuable asset to his team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Jake is a smart play-maker who consistently sets up his teammates for chances both 5v5 and on the powerplay. He plays up high near the blue line on the powerplay where he distributes the puck through seams to create scoring chances. He made a great move on the powerplay where he got around an opponent and then tried to thread a pass to the backdoor. The puck was tipped into the net on the backdoor by a defender, earning him a goal. He almost had another goal by getting a puck off of the end-wall and realizing that the goalie was still on the far side and tried to stuff it. Jake had a few turnovers in this game by overhandling and losing the puck on a couple of zone entry situations. He was trying to open up lanes and keep possession of the puck but he needs to make sure he understands the numbers and situation to avoid unnecessary turnovers. He can make plays at an elite level but when there is no play to make he needs to be okay with simply getting the puck in deep instead of trying to make a play out of something that isn’t there.
Zachary Sandhu (D, L, 6’1″, 211, Brantford Bulldogs, 12/20/2005)
Game Rating
A-
Sandhu is an effective defender who excels at limiting opponents’ time and space with his tight gap coverage and stick handling. He is also skilled at moving the puck, making hard and accurate passes on regroups and during powerplay situations. His ability to quarterback the powerplay is a strength, as he can make quick, accurate passes and shoot the puck quickly with strength. He also displays good vision and puck-handling skills, which enable him to create shooting lanes and get pucks through in the zone. While his shot creation was limited in this game, his overall skillset suggests that he is a valuable asset to his team’s offense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Zachary had an excellent game, displaying his usual defensive prowess while also adding a bit off offense as well. He made a lot of smart pinches at the offensive zone blue line, keeping a good gap and closing in on wingers to take away all of their time and space. On rushes he stands up opponents at the blue line and will throw big checks. He had one highlight-worthy backcheck where he dove and knocked the puck off of the opponent’s stick to shut down a breakaway chance. As soon as he got to his feet he retrieved the puck below the goal line and zipped a pass up to a teammate at the far blue line, sending his team in on a 2v0. Zachary scored a goal in this game as well, executing a nice catch and shoot off of a slip pass from a teammate. He had a large impact on this game and inspired his teammates with his strong work ethic and physical defensive play.
Marek Vanacker (LW, L, 6’1″, 188, Brantford Bulldogs, 04/12/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Marek is a skilled forward who excels at creating chances through his speed, vision, and physicality. He effectively uses his positioning to find space behind defenders and creates opportunities for himself by driving towards the net and using his stick-handling skills. In tight spaces, Marek can receive passes and deflect pucks, making him a reliable option in pressure situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Marek is a strong-skating winger who manages the puck well and creates a lot of offense. He does a great job of getting pucks to the net and uses his edges and strong puck-handling to get shots off even in less than ideal situations. He had two spin and fire shots in this game, almost catching the goalie off-guard, and totaling seven shots on net. He has a pull-shot in his tool belt that allows him to get pucks past the shin pads of defenders trying to block. He scored a goal on the powerplay at the backdoor by redirecting the puck into the net on a hard shot-pass from the flank. He can roll off checks and fight through pressure while keeping possession of the puck before finding someone to distribute it to. Marek came up big defensively on a rush where he was the last man back and he laid out to break up a 2v1 play.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images