Played on Jan 7, 2026
Game Played in InnovationPlex
General Game Notes: This was a high scoring, back and forth game where we got to see the depth from both teams. One of the crazier storylines was each team collecting a shorthanded goal but it was the five power plays that Edmonton was able to kill off that really set the tone. Could have easily gone the other way with that many special team chances but the Oil Kings were able to create the momentum a man down.
Alofa Tunao Taamu (D, L, 6’2″, 233, Edmonton Oil Kings, 05/28/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Tunoa Ta’amu demands attention from the opposition, as he can jump into the rush and is not hesitant to pinch aggressively. He handles pressure well, whether navigating traffic in his own zone or getting pucks through from the blue line. With his size and skating, he can manipulate defensive coverage by jumping off the line, and his strong vision allows him to beat the first layer before finding back-door options through the second. He has the ability to show more offense than he does and with his size, his ceiling as a two way player is through the roof. He needs to do a better job at reading the play when the offense is going to come, for now, he shuts down in his own end, and if his team is lucky, they can find him as a late wave.
Dylan Dean (F, L, 6’1″, 181, Edmonton Oil Kings, 05/14/2008, Maine)
Game Rating
B+
Dean’s playing style is characterized by his physicality and gritty nature, often taking a hard-nosed approach on the ice. He excels as a crease cleaner and net screener, using his tough exterior to create scoring opportunities. Despite initial impressions of being a contact-first player, Dean demonstrates good awareness and playmaking ability, making him a threat in the offensive zone. While not an elite skater, he is serviceable enough to hold his own against top lines.
1 Viewing
Comments: Dean was able to show that he is an excellent puck transporter, reaching top speed quickly while handling the puck with his head up and was able to show this with two assists on the night. Combined with his agility and shooting ability, he is a significant threat off the rush. He processes the game well, making smart decisions both ahead of the play and once the puck is on his stick. A shifty skater, he attacks laterally through the middle of the ice but is equally comfortable playing out wide. Whether off the rush or within the offensive zone, he consistently challenges defenders in one on one situations.
Gavin Hodnett (C, L, 5’7″, 158, Edmonton Oil Kings, 04/09/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Hodnett is a smaller forward who scored a nice goal right in the slot and simply beating the goalie over the glove with time and space to spare. Left unchecked, he somehow was in a space to take his time and get a shot off, when left unchecked Hodnett has the skill to pick his spot and that is exactly what he did. The smaller forward plays a gritty style, countering his size with grit and a willingness to get to the hard areas on the ice. His speed usually puts him in a position to maneuver the bigger players on the ice but there are times when a bigger defenseman is able to get a step on him and eliminate him from the play.
Landon Hanson (RW, R, 6’1″, 181, Edmonton Oil Kings, 01/09/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Landon Hanson showcased his hockey skills through his aggressive playstyle and ability to create scoring opportunities. He demonstrated quick reflexes by catching a puck off the end wall and releasing a powerful shot from just above the goal line. Hanson’s work ethic is evident as he consistently pursues loose pucks, wearing down opponents with his relentless energy. What sets him apart is his tendency to take shots on goal that may seem unconventional for his playing style, but ultimately led to impressive results.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hanson handled a bobbling puck in the offensive zone, skated one way through the slot area and shot back a different way. It took the goalie out of position and he was able to find the back of the net for the game winning goal. His puck skills are deceptive and skating is manipulative and this goal was a good example of both attributes to his game. He does a good job at keeping his feet moving both under pressure and when back checking into his own zone. He is a hard worker and wants the puck back on his stick when he gets it knocked off. He has good size and skating ability to make him hard to get a body on.
Ryan Gower (D, L, 5’9″, 175, Edmonton Oil Kings, 04/29/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Gower is a smaller defenseman who relies more on skill and intelligence than physical play. His vision and anticipation with the puck are solid, enabling him to generate offense from the back end. A dynamic presence when the puck is on his stick, he puts defenders on their heels and serves as a late wave option when he decides he wants to get up in the rush. He leans more toward distribution than shooting, constantly scanning for openings and passing lanes in the offensive zone. He forces plays at times when better options are open, he just does not see them in his frame.
Matt Williams (F, R, 6’2″, 186, Edmonton Oil Kings, 01/25/2008)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Williams competes at a very high level and can bring a physical edge when needed, crashing in aggressively on the forecheck. He does a strong job of pushing the pace and creates scoring chances by attacking the middle of the ice. A committed playmaker, he gives full effort at both ends of the rink. He consistently supports the play in all three zones, positioning himself to recover loose pucks and provide reliable outlets for his defensemen. His transition is quick as he wants to play offense.
Andrew O’Neill (RW, R, 6’2″, 197, Edmonton Oil Kings, 02/07/2007, North Dakota)
Game Rating
A-
Andrew O’Neill demonstrated a well-rounded skill set on the ice, showcasing his ability to play both physically and technically. His physical presence allows him to compete for positioning in tight spaces, leveraging his size and strength to outmuscle opponents. In contrast, he also possesses speed that enables him to beat smaller players in length, as seen in one of his goals.
1 Viewing
Comments: After he went low to high with the puck, crashed the net, O’Neill was able to get a stick on a point shot and redirect it in the back of the net. This was not a flashy goal by any means but it is an intelligent goal. O’Neill is a quick and hard working center and when the puck is on his stick, he has the skill and speed to make a play every shift. Where he was at his best tonight, he was able to manipulate space below the goal line and along the boards making smaller spaces seem bigger than they were. He does a good job at holding on to the puck under pressure allowing his teammates to get in better position for a feed.
Miroslav Holinka (RW, R, 6’1″, 192, Edmonton Oil Kings, 11/10/2005)
Game Rating
A-
Holinka demonstrated a willingness to play aggressively in tight spaces, leveraging his ability to extract pucks from corners effectively. His shot is above average, though it’s worth noting that many of his goals stem from clever positioning and stickhandling in front of the net. Holinka shows decent vision and instincts, but other aspects of his game were relatively unremarkable.
1 Viewing
Comments: Holinka scored one of the more goal scorers goal that you can. As a player on the other team was handling a puck in front of his goalie, Holinka swooped by and knocked the puck off his stick and into the back of the net. The goal itself was just a good bounce from being in the right spot but the reason he is there in the first place is a reason why is has more than twenty goals on the year so far. In the offensive zone Holinka was able to show that he is difficult to play against and consistently gets scoring chances. He gets to where he needs to go on time. He is a big body and excellent around the net.
Lukas Sawchyn (C, R, 5’10”, 173, Edmonton Oil Kings, 02/27/2007, Arizona State)
Game Rating
A-
Sawchyn exhibits a strong sense of pace, utilizing both speed and agility when moving with and without the puck. His ability to control the tempo of play is evident in his clever passing, often setting up teammates with precision drives to the net. He skillfully exploits the width and length of the ice, creating space for himself and others to operate effectively. Sawchyn’s willingness to hold onto the puck, even momentarily, allows him to assess situations and identify opportunities for a pass or shot.
1 Viewing
Comments: One of the better players on the ice tonight regardless of points, he does a lot of things throughout the game that do no show on the score sheet and possessing the puck is one of the them. There are times in the offensive zone when it looks like he could have held on to the puck for five minutes longer. With that being said, he did have three points on the night, an empty netter and two helpers, but he plays such an effective two way game, a huge reason as to why he is plus thirty on the year. Sawchyn is a threat every time the puck is on his stick and has such quick twitch movements, he is hard to read off the rush and when stationary.
Hyde Davidson (D, L, 6’2″, 173, Swift Current Broncos, 01/23/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Davidson opened the scoring tonight with the first goal of the night and his first goal of the season. The bigger defenceman was able to sneak into the high slot area from the back side of the play. He got a seam pass on his tape that he did not need to stick handle, instead with quick hands, caught the puck and released it tucked under the goalies glove. It was an impressive goal in the first place but considering it was his first of the year even more so. Davidson moves well for a bigger defenseman when it comes to offense, but also on retrieving pucks. He first two steps out of his pivot allow him to beat smaller forwards and be first on the puck.
Josh McGregor (D, L, 6’1″, 175, Swift Current Broncos, 06/07/2007)
Game Rating
1 Viewing
Comments:
Trae Wilke (LW, L, 6’0″, 206, Swift Current Broncos, 04/20/2006)
Game Rating
A-
Trae Wilke showcased his scoring ability with a well-executed wrap-around goal, capitalizing on a fake redirect and the goalie’s momentum. As a larger forward, he tends to position himself at the front of the net, where he can utilize his physicality to create space. While Wilke is effective in battling for position, there are opportunities for him to improve. Specifically, he could benefit from increased foot speed to avoid being caught off guard by defenders. With refinement in this area, Wilke’s offensive game would likely expand beyond relying solely on strength.
1 Viewing
Comments: Wilke scored a nice goal getting a two on one pass where he actually waited out the goalie a bit only the find the back side of the net over the goalies shoulder. This was a nice touch as a goal scorer and his ability to have patients at a time where most players would fire it on net is the reason why he was able to score this goal. Other than his touch, Wilke likes to handle the puck and can extend his possession because of how well he is able to keep it away from the other team. He is not an oversized body but with the way he is able to keep the puck close but also use his longer reach, his perimeter of where he can stickhandle is bigger than others.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images