Played on Feb 10, 2026
Game Played in Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
General Game Notes: February 10th, 2026 – The London Knights visited the Kitchener Rangers in a high-tempo matchup between two teams that really don’t like each other. Sam O’Reilly (#23) and Dylan Edwards (#16) led the charge for the Rangers, while Sebastian Gatto (#80) did his best to fend off the Rangers’ attack. Despite his efforts, it wasn’t enough, as Kitchener came away with a 5-2 victory.
Christian Kirsch (G, L, 6’4″, 204, Kitchener Rangers, 06/18/2006, Quinnipiac)
Game Rating
B+
Kirsch displayed a solid performance, giving his team an opportunity to win by shutting down opponents in crucial situations. As a tall goalie, he effectively uses his size to his advantage, playing deeper in the crease and relying on reads rather than aggressive play. His positioning allows him to stay square to shots, reducing the impact of hits to the midsection. While he tends to avoid making flashy saves by staying back, this approach also limits his exposure to potential high-impact plays. The use of the RVH (Rebound Control Hold) frequently helps seal off low-scoring opportunities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kirsch is a big, structured goaltender who understands his game and rarely strays from it. He plays deeper in his crease, using his size to his advantage, and his feet are almost always set-allowing him to focus on tracking the puck rather than scrambling into position. His quiet, controlled footwork helps him track pucks cleanly and limit second-chance opportunities. He battles through traffic with active hands and a tall, upright stance, peering around screens and staying square to shooters to make controlled saves. While he typically relies on structure and positioning rather than desperation, he showcased his athleticism in the first period with a bang-bang split save-an impressive display of his ability to read the play and react quickly when needed.
Matthew Andonovski (D, L, 6’2″, 223, Kitchener Rangers, 03/14/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Andonovski’s game is built around his physical presence and defensive prowess, making him a formidable opponent in his own zone. He excels at shutting down opponents and winning puck battles due to his strength and positioning skills. While primarily focused on defense, Andonovski demonstrates versatility by effectively moving the puck up the ice and contributing occasionally with offense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Andonovski logs a lot of valuable minutes and brings a reliable, do-it-all presence to the backend. While he may not dazzle offensively, he’s steady and composed with the puck. He makes crisp, tape-to-tape passes and consistently opts for the smart play rather than forcing low-percentage options. As a result, he maintains possession well and limits turnovers. He’s not an explosive skater, but he’s strong and balanced on his edges, both with and without the puck. Defensively, he has a knack for shutting plays down before they even develop. His presence is noticeable in all situations-whether he’s defending the rush or holding his ground in five-on-five zone play-bringing structure and stability every shift.
Dylan Edwards (C, L, 5’8″, 172, Kitchener Rangers, 07/20/2005, Quinnipiac)
Game Rating
A-
Edwards demonstrated a solid skill set in various aspects of the game. He effectively utilized puck protection techniques to create scoring opportunities, showcasing his poise and strong body positioning. In addition to his offense, Edwards displayed impressive determination and competitiveness, often winning battles for pucks and generating offense from these possessions. On the power play, Edwards’ versatility shone through as he seamlessly transitioned between positions to create scoring chances. His deceptive shot release and ability to pass effectively made him a difficult player to defend against, as he consistently kept defenders guessing.
1 Viewing
Comments: Edwards is a true workhorse who wins battles and generates offense off turnovers. He hunts pucks relentlessly in the corners, consistently forcing mistakes, and once he recovers possession, he quickly moves pucks into dangerous areas where his linemates are in scoring position. He blends skill with grit, but his most impressive trait is his competitiveness. Shift after shift, he’s engaged and driving play. There were multiple instances throughout the game where he created chances or made responsible plays in his own end, but a couple of the goals scored don’t happen without his effort. He created the turnovers, protected the puck under pressure, and then executed skilled plays to teammates who finished the job. His impact went well beyond the scoresheet.
Gabriel Chiarot (RW, L, 5’11”, 192, Kitchener Rangers, 09/17/2006)
Game Rating
A-
Chiarot is a skilled forward who excels at driving offense through his speed and agility. He consistently creates scoring chances by winning battles for pucks, making quick passes, and crashing the net. His ability to put himself in position to create plays is impressive, even when he doesn’t score directly. Chiarot’s versatility with the puck allows him to adapt to different situations, whether carrying it into the zone or dumping it in deep.
1 Viewing
Comments: Chiarot is a straight-ahead, no-nonsense player who thrives on simplicity and purpose. He isn’t flashy, but he’s consistently effective. Shift after shift, he gets to the hard areas – with and without the puck – and more often than not, he’s rewarded for it. He leans into puck battles, wins his share of them, and extends possessions in ways that create opportunities for his linemates, whether that’s through a subtle touch pass in traffic or by driving defenders back to open space. His goal was a perfect snapshot of his identity as a player. Battling to the top of the crease, he fought through coverage, found body position, and in tight lifted the puck over the goaltender’s shoulder with poise. It wasn’t a pretty, perimeter play – it was hard-nosed, determined, and skilled in a small space. That’s Chiarot’s game in a nutshell: get to the net with intent, embrace contact, and have the touch to finish when it matters.
Sam O’Reilly (C, R, 6’1″, 184, Kitchener Rangers, 03/30/2006)
Game Rating
B+
O’Reilly demonstrated strong skills in this game, using his speed and agility to navigate through defenders. He excelled on the rush, showcasing his ability to create chances with finesse. In overtime, he produced a notable opportunity with a quick move and accurate shot attempt.
1 Viewing
Comments: O’Reilly is deployed in all situations and remains extremely effective no matter the role. He plays with confidence and a bit of an edge, bringing both skill and bite to his shifts. He’s just as reliable without the puck as he is with it, which was evident on his short-handed goal. He forced a turnover, quickly transitioned up ice, chose to shoot, and snapped a quick-release wrister over the goaltender’s shoulder – a confident, decisive finish. Beyond the goal, he showcased strong edgework and puck control, consistently moving his feet to stay involved. His ability to transport pucks and attack the interior allowed him to regularly get into scoring areas. Whether he’s killing penalties, generating offense, or setting the tone physically, O’Reilly impacts the game in every situation.
Christian Humphreys (C, R, 5’11”, 173, Kitchener Rangers, 02/04/2006, Michigan)
Game Rating
A-
Christian Humphreys displayed a promising skill set on the ice, showcasing speed and confidence in his attacking play. He demonstrated an ability to take on defenders one-on-one, often succeeding in creating scoring opportunities. His puck control is noteworthy, allowing him to navigate tight spaces with ease and create chances for himself and his teammates. Humphreys’ skillset is bolstered by his exceptional vision, which enables him to make smart plays and set up his teammates in scoring positions. He excels at generating offense through his individual efforts, combining skill and playmaking ability to create opportunities. While he may not be perfect, Humphreys demonstrates a strong foundation of skills that could drive success on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Humphreys is fast, skilled, and has a natural nose for the net. He’s a strong passer and an excellent shooter, making him a true dual threat and difficult to defend. He consistently attacks the middle of the ice, putting defenders on their heels with his speed, quick release, and ability to get into dangerous areas. On his goal, he showed high-end instincts by slipping off coverage at the back post, catching and releasing the puck quickly to beat the goaltender low glove as he pushed across. Rather than firing it high and risking a miss, he displayed the IQ and touch to place it just under the glove and over the pad, going post-in. It was a composed, calculated finish. Beyond his scoring ability, everything he does is at pace. He plays with his head up, constantly attacking and applying pressure. He not only creates space for himself but also elevates the play of those around him. His combination of speed, skill, and awareness makes him a constant offensive driver.
Jared Woolley (D, L, 6’5″, 207, Kitchener Rangers, 02/27/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Woolley is a big-bodied defender who thrives in his own zone, asserting a heavy, physical presence along the walls and around the crease. He makes life difficult for opposing forwards, using his strength to win battles and clear space in the hard areas. His active stick consistently disrupts plays and breaks up passing lanes, while his smooth, powerful skating allows him to maintain tight gaps and prevent attackers from beating him wide. Beyond his defensive reliability, there’s quiet offensive upside in his game. He reads plays well enough to jump into the rush at the right moments, handles pucks cleanly, and makes composed decisions under pressure-whether that’s delivering a crisp outlet pass or getting a low, purposeful shot through traffic.
Alexander Bilecki (D, L, 6’1″, 181, Kitchener Rangers, 05/09/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Bilecki is a smooth-skating defender who impacts the game at both ends of the ice. He’s not overly physical, but instead relies on his mobility, active stick, and efficient puck retrievals to smother opponents and regain possession. He defends with angles and anticipation, using his feet to close space and transition quickly up ice. On the game’s opening goal, he showcased his awareness and offensive instincts. He made an excellent read in the neutral zone, stepping in to intercept a rink-wide pass and immediately turning play the other way. After initiating the rush, the puck eventually found its way back to him. He opened up his hips, drove wide with speed, and delivered a crisp centering pass to his teammate, who finished from the net-front without hesitation. The sequence was a strong reflection of his overall game: intelligent reads, fluid skating, and timely offensive contributions. He plays a smooth, efficient style and possesses a high ceiling as he continues to round out his toolkit.
Sebastian Gatto (G, L, 6’4″, 178, London Knights, 01/24/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Despite allowing four goals, Gatto gave his team a legitimate chance to win. He came up with multiple Grade-A saves that prevented the game from getting out of reach and kept the momentum from fully swinging the other way. He was composed in the crease, consistently shoulder-checking and scanning to track off-puck movement so he could arrive on angle and set for his saves. He isn’t overly aggressive by default, but he reads the play well and will dial up his depth when necessary – at times almost attacking the shooter to cut down the angle and take away space. From a distance, he did a strong job limiting second-chance opportunities. His rebound control was steady, directing pucks to safe areas or smothering them altogether to get whistles. He flashed a quick glove hand on a few close-range chances, confidently snatching pucks out of traffic. Laterally, he moved with purpose and control, and he was efficient in his RVH – not relying on it too heavily, but using it effectively when the situation called for it.
Ryan Brown (LW, L, 5’11”, 177, London Knights, 10/26/2007)
Game Rating
B
Ryan Brown’s performance was marked by consistent energy and hard work on the forecheck, which helped create momentum for his team. He competed well despite Sarnia facing difficulties, making an impact through his offense. In the third period, Brown capitalized on a loose puck in the slot, showcasing his skill with a smooth move before finishing with a goal. His ability to combine effort, puck control, and precision makes him a notable presence on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Brown always has his feet moving. It doesn’t matter what zone he’s in – he’s constantly moving at pace. He’s strong on the back-check, coming hard into his own end to support his defenseman, and he’s capable of wheeling the puck out of the d-zone and turning it into an offensive opportunity. He attacks wide and has the skill to beat defenders one-on-one when he chooses to challenge. He’s most dangerous off the rush because his speed forces defenders to react, but he also showed the ability to attack off the flanks and make plays. He works off shots and passes to find the soft areas, and his relentless pace makes him a threat.
Jesse Nurmi (LW, L, 5’11”, 165, London Knights, 03/07/2005)
Game Rating
B
Nurmi displays a strong work ethic on the ice, consistently engaging in puck battles and emerging victorious. He effectively retrieves pucks and transitions them into scoring opportunities, often creating chances for himself or his teammates. Notably, he showcased his playmaking ability by initiating a turnover, quickly regaining possession, and delivering a precise pass to set up an easy goal. His presence in high-danger areas is key to generating offense, as he uses his skills to outmaneuver opponents and create scoring opportunities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Nurmi is a solid two-way player who plays a responsible, efficient game. He isn’t afraid to get in shooting lanes or jump on loose pucks to quickly transition play the other way. He competes hard and willingly engages in puck battles, showing a strong commitment to both sides of the puck. He opened the scoring for the Knights on a two-on-one rush in impressive fashion. After receiving a pass from the puck carrier, the puck bounced up into the air, and Nurmi swatted it home baseball-style for a highlight-reel finish. It was an elite play that showcased his hand-eye coordination and high-end skill, adding a dynamic offensive touch to his reliable two-way game.
Rene Van Bommel (LW, L, 6’0″, 193, London Knights, 05/14/2006, Lake Superior)
Game Rating
B-
Rene Van Bommel showcases a well-rounded skillset that sets him apart from his peers. His speed and agility allow him to quickly get around defenders, as demonstrated by his impressive toe-drag move in the previous game. This skill is complemented by his ability to mix it up with physical play and aggressive fore-checking. When Van Bommel gets into a rhythm, he becomes nearly unstoppable, creating space and opportunities for his team through a combination of speed and tenacity. His playing style is characterized by an ‘in-your-face’ attitude that makes him a formidable opponent on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Van Bommel is a north-south type player who keeps his feet moving and is at his best when he’s skating. He uses his size and reach effectively along the walls and around the net, protecting pucks and extending offensive zone time. When he builds up speed, he can push defenders back with or without the puck, creating space for himself and his linemates. For a bigger forward, he skates well for his size and isn’t afraid to penetrate middle ice off the rush. In a game where getting to the net wasn’t easy, he consistently found his way into the hard areas and generated offense from around the crease. It was a strong, power-forward style effort built on pace, size, and willingness to compete inside.
William Nicholl (C, L, 6’0″, 184, London Knights, 05/24/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Nicholl works hard in all three zones and plays with noticeable intensity shift in and shift out. Whether it’s on the forecheck or the backcheck, his feet are always moving and he’s hunting pucks, looking to create turnovers and extend possessions. His compete level is consistent, and it shows in the little details of his game. He’s especially dangerous off the rush because of his speed, and he isn’t afraid to cut into the middle of the ice and challenge defenders to contain him. On the power play, he scored a beautiful goal on a tic-tac-toe sequence – positioning himself in the slot before ripping a one-timer top shelf, beating the goaltender clean. It was a confident, high-skill finish that highlighted both his offensive instincts and his ability to capitalize in prime scoring areas.
Jaxon Cover (RW, L, 6’2″, 182, London Knights, 02/13/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Cover was highly effective off the rush, using his speed and explosiveness to separate from defenders. In the first period, he showcased that burst by gaining a step at the red line and turning it into a clean breakaway opportunity, although unable to finish. His acceleration is noticeable immediately, and once he gets moving, he forces defenders to pivot and chase. Beyond his straight-line speed, he also displays strong playmaking instincts. He keeps his head up in transition, scanning the ice and assessing his options. At times, he’ll even pass up a quality shooting lane to distribute to a teammate in a better scoring position – a sign of confidence and awareness with the puck. Defensively, he stayed engaged. His speed allowed him to close quickly on opponents and disrupt plays before they developed, and he showed a willingness to block shots that came into his lane.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images