Played on Nov 19, 2025
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The visiting Edmonton Oil Kings nine game winning streak ended on this night as the hometown Kelowna Rockets defeated them 5-2 (two empty net goals). This was a true goaltenders battle, as two highly regarded netminders went head to head. On this night, the Rocket’s Harrison Boettiger got the win over Parker Snell, but they were both excellent. Hayden Paupanekis, Kalder Varga and Shane Smith, with what proved to be the winner on the powerplay scored for the Rockets. Mazden Leslie and Hiroki Gojsic scored empty netters.
Parker Snell (G, L, 6’2″, 177, Edmonton Oil Kings, 04/21/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Snell was the arguably the best player on the ice in this game, showing high-end, game-changing goaltending: explosive footwork and excellent glove hand combined with quick, decisive lateral movement (reads plays east-west very well), which allowed him to shut down a 5-on-3 early and bail his team out repeatedly. He made several high-leverage stops – a breakaway save, a timely glove save on a one-timer where his glove was in position early and, a huge point-blank stop on Rockets sniper Iginla and an immediate follow-up stop on the rebound – poise under pressure and the athleticism to make highlight-reel saves. Although his team lost this game 5-2 (two empty at goals) leaving him with 35 saves on 38 shots. Overall projects as a clutch, technically sound netminder with pro-level instincts.
Poul Andersen (F, R, 6’1″, 189, Edmonton Oil Kings, 06/01/2007, Maine)
Game Rating
B
Andersen showcases a strong skating ability and solid foundational skills, which enable him to effectively navigate through traffic. He demonstrates good puck handling skills, using them to create plays for teammates or score himself as a shooter. Andersen consistently positions himself in front of the opposition’s net to capitalize on scoring opportunities. In both power-play and penalty killing situations, he is a valuable contributor, contributing over 22 minutes of ice time. While still developing his defensive game, Andersen shows promising understanding of positioning in the defensive zone. He excels alongside dynamic teammates, proving to be a reliable complement who can keep up with their pace.
1 Viewing
Comments: Andersen is a dependable 200-foot forward who combines above-average offensive instincts with strong two-way habits; he skates well with good top speed (not elite), handles the puck confidently through traffic, and consistently makes plays under pressure. He competes hard in puck/board races and battles for possession—although his battle numbers this season are at 40% don’t fully reflect the physical compete and drive he shows—but he reliably battles for net-front position while also showing the elusiveness to find open ice. A steady contributor on the second power-play as the bumper, Andersen reads the play well, rotates into space, absorbs contact on entries to hold possession, and makes smart reads in the defensive zone with sound coverage and awareness of switches.
Joe Iginla (RW, R, 5’10”, 177, Edmonton Oil Kings, 08/13/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Iginla is a well-rounded forward with a sound overall skill set: a strong, composed skater with reliable puck skills, excellent ability to handle traffic and protect the puck along the walls, and a physical, grinding presence who can find open teammates. In the offensive zone he displays a good sense for finding open space at both 5-on-5 and on the power play, where he can be effective either net-front, on the flank as a shooter or on the goal line; he plays the game in a controlled, poised manner and shows good composure receiving breakout passes in the defensive zone. Areas for growth are pace and engagement — he too often plays at a controlled speed and, while flashes of quickness appear, he needs to play with more urgency, increase his tempo, and get more consistently involved to maximize his impact.
Landon Hanson (RW, R, 6’1″, 181, Edmonton Oil Kings, 01/09/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Hanson is a strong, energetic two-way winger whose skates well with good top-end speed and quick acceleration that allow him to cover the full 200 feet effectively; he reliably back-pressures through the neutral zone and maintains sound defensive-zone coverage. He showcases good puck skills and some playmaking instincts and knows his way around the net. This was evident on Edmonton’s second goal where he showed poise on the wall with the puck, rolled into the middle, and put the puck on the net, where there was plenty of traffic, resulting in a goal. He has earned trust on special teams where he gets first look on the top penalty kill, but limited power play time. His ice time climbed to 21 minutes in this game, up from his season average of 17. Area for improvement: he needs to engage more physically, finishing harder on the fore check and dig in more on puck battles where his numbers were not great (~30% in this game vs. a 45% season mark), which is low for his size and skill set; prioritizing stronger board play and finishing checks would elevate his overall impact.
Joshua Albert Lee (D, R, 5’7″, 147, Edmonton Oil Kings, 01/10/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Lee is a confident, skilled, and highly mobile player who compensates for his smaller frame (5’7) with excellent skating, poise with the puck, and a high-end ability to move the puck up ice and through traffic. He consistently makes smart decisions in transition, is comfortable transporting the puck himself when lanes open, and serves as the quarterback of the second power-play unit—timing his entries well, opening shooting lanes, getting pucks through, and creating plays to the flanks. In this game he logged over 14 minutes of ice time and posted respectable puck-battle numbers (above 50%), showing strong compete on loose pucks, while remaining positionally sound in the defensive zone and using his body effectively to obstruct opponents and disrupt plays. Overall he projects as a reliable two-way contributor with playmaking upside.
Ethan MacKenzie (D, L, 6’0″, 176, Edmonton Oil Kings, 09/02/2006, North Dakota)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Mackenzie displayed an impressive all-around game on the backend for the Oil Kings, combining excellent mobility and top-end skating with strong puck skills that allow him to confidently lead or jump into the attack; his quick hands and smart pre-scanning on breakouts consistently move his team out of trouble by transporting or quickly distributing the puck. He plays a physical, hard-nosed style-wins board battles, pushes back in scrums-and logged heavy usage (over 26 minutes), showing reliability and stamina. A trusted special-teams contributor, he plays major roles on both the top penalty kill and the power play, making him a key two-way defenseman who drives play at both ends. He has the overall skill set to be a high-end contributor at the university level…and the next level.
Andrew O’Neill (RW, R, 6’2″, 197, Edmonton Oil Kings, 02/07/2007, North Dakota)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: O’Neill (6’2′, right centre) is a hard-working, two-way pivot who plays a high-level 200-foot game with noticeable grit; a strong skater with very good edge work, he consistently wins puck battles in tight areas and shows poise handling the puck under pressure. He attacks the net hard, forechecks and pressures aggressively and finishes physically along the boards, earning regular minutes on the penalty kill and a spot on the Oil Kings’ second power-play unit where his puck skills can be showcased, but is at his best with his net front presence. In this outing he logged over 18 minutes and won roughly 60% of his battles: dependable in all situations and a competitive, well-rounded centre.
Lukas Sawchyn (C, R, 5’10”, 173, Edmonton Oil Kings, 02/27/2007, Arizona State)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Sawchyn is an energetic, high-effort forward whose elite skating — top-end speed and great tight-space maneuverability — allows him to consistently beat pressure and drive play through traffic despite a smaller frame. He displays excellent puck skills and always plays with his head up, showing strong vision to find the simple, effective option or execute deceptive, slick plays when defenses overcommit. He showed good protection skills near the walls, with an ability to roll off and make plays. Sawchyn competes hard on special teams (key contributor on the top power play and PK), logged over 22 minutes and led the forwards in ice time in this game, and his relentlessness was instrumental on the PK when he hounded the puck carrier through the neutral zone to force the turnover that led to an Oil Kings goal. While not huge, his battle numbers are quite respectable — roughly a 50% success rate this season — and he projects as a high-impact, two-way playmaker who brings tempo and compete to every shift.
Harrison Boettiger (G, L, 6’2″, 189, Kelowna Rockets, 12/11/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Boettiger appears to be a composed and reliable goaltender, utilizing his large frame to block shots and compete for loose pucks around the crease. He moves well post-to-post and shows strong competitiveness, particularly down low where he’s tough to beat. However, there are areas for improvement in his technique, such as losing his net during movement and struggling with puck control. This was partly due to a lack of communication with teammates, leading to some difficulties in making plays. Despite these issues, Boettiger demonstrated promising traits in his first WHL game, including his movement, competitiveness, and rebound control.
1 Viewing
Comments: Boettiger was excellent in this game, stopping 27 of 29 shots for the win, and handling several high-difficulty chances with calm, efficient technique; his quick post-to-post and side-to-side movement was notably sharp and didn’t lose his net with hard pushes – an improvement from earlier in the season. He showed excellent positional play, repeatedly making tough saves and immediately recovering to be square for the next shot (including a textbook pad save on a semi-breakaway 10 seconds in and a lightning-fast left-to-right stop on a two-on-one one-timer). He battles aggressively for loose pucks around the crease, challenges shooters at the top of the paint consistently, and displayed the rebound control and composure needed to close out a strong, dependable outing.
Kalder Varga (RW, R, 5’11”, 181, Kelowna Rockets, 06/24/2008, Denver)
Game Rating
B
Kalder Varga, a 5’11” right wing, showcases impressive skating ability, maneuverability, and top-end speed. His confidence while carrying the puck is growing, allowing him to make plays with poise. He drives through the neutral zone and attacks the net with or without the puck, demonstrating his ability to contribute on power-play units. While he has shown flashes of play-driving forward, consistency and effort are concerns that need improvement. Varga’s stick skills are strong, and his shot is accurate, but he sometimes struggles with decision-making, particularly in tight spaces. His raw tools are evident, but refining his game defensively, including off-puck awareness and positioning, is crucial for long-term success. As he matures physically and increases his compete level, Varga has the potential to become a reliable secondary scoring option.
1 Viewing
Comments: Varga is a forward that seemingly becomes more noticeable each game, with high-end skating—excellent top-end speed and mobility—that allows him to handle the puck well and be elusive through the neutral zone when driving the attack; in this game he pounced on a loose puck at the offensive blue line, accelerated and battled through two defenders to the net and finished a tidy five-hole goal. He shows a consistent willingness to drive hard to the net without the puck and settle at the top of the crease for scoring chances, competes hard for loose pucks and along the boards, and has become increasingly reliable for the Rockets, logging over 14 minutes of ice time while serving as a key contributor on the second power-play unit where he occupies a flank role.
Owen Folstrom (C, R, 5’11”, 184, Kelowna Rockets, 03/21/2008)
Game Rating
B
Owen Folstrom has developed into a reliable two-way center, showcasing solid puck skills and a strong base that allows him to maintain possession in tight spaces. He excels at driving through traffic with the puck, making him a threat offensively when he chooses to be. Folstrom’s heavy release is an asset, but could be utilized more frequently. His defensive awareness and positioning are notable strengths, particularly his ability to read situations and make plays for teammates. While his battle win rate is an area for improvement, Folstrom’s physical frame and skating abilities provide a solid foundation. He is a dependable situational player who contributes on both the power play and penalty kill, logging significant ice time in these situations. With continued development, Folstrom has the potential to be a quality contributor at center.
1 Viewing
Comments: Folstrom is a gritty, hard-working forward who, despite not being the biggest player, brings excellent skating, strong edge work allowing him to withstand and dish out physical play; capable as both a centre and a winger, he provides dependable minutes for the Rockets, competes relentlessly on pucks, finishes checks and drives to the net. He shows good top-end speed and quickness through the neutral zone, uses his puck skills to challenge defensemen to the outside, and consistently creates traffic and scoring chances by attacking the slot. Overall, Folstrom projects as a versatile, high-effort middle-six contributor who excels in a forechecking, heavy-pace role and can be counted on for penalty-killing and hard minutes.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images