Played on Jan 9, 2026
Game Played in South Okanagan Events Centre
General Game Notes: The visiting Kamloops Blazers came to life in the third period tying the game at two, but a late goal by Tristan Peterson and then an empty netter from Jacob Kvasnicka sealed a 4-2 victory for the hometown Penticton Vees. Matteo Danis and Brady Birnie had the other Vees goals. Nathan Behm and Josh Evaschesen replied for the Blazers. Both goaltenders, Logan Edmonstone and AJ Reyelts were both quite good in this game with Edmonstone the busier of the two making 35 stops.
Logan Edmonstone (G, L, 5’11”, 168, Kamloops Blazers, 10/03/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Edmonstone was outstanding in this game, making 35 saves, repeatedly stealing key moments with several high-end saves early – notably a penalty-shot stop on Penticton’s Kvasnicka – and two unreal third-period stops (one on a behind-the-net pass to Birnie and another on a bang-bang cross-crease chance). He displays quick, efficient movement in tight, staying upright and aggressive rather than sinking down, which limits rebounds and forces second-chance opportunities to the perimeter. Positionally sound and willing to battle traffic and see pucks, he consistently makes the tough reads under pressure and was a decisive factor in keeping his team in this game. His recent form is strong and reliable as well: in his last three starts he’s posted a save percentage above .920.
JP Hurlbert (C, R, 6’0″, 187, Kamloops Blazers, 04/01/2008, Michigan)
Game Rating
B
Hurlbert is a well-rounded forward who excels due to his high hockey IQ and exceptional puck skills. He possesses good skating ability, allowing him to navigate the ice effectively and create space for himself and his teammates. In the offensive zone, he moves quickly and finds open ice to finish plays, often using his agility to evade defenders. Hurlbert also displays strong defensive awareness, although there is room for improvement in terms of stopping and starting. His ability to read the game and make smart passes stands out, particularly on the power play where he thrives as the late man on the breakout. He consistently delivers a solid all-around performance, competing strongly for pucks and finishing checks when out of possession. Hurlbert’s skills are on full display in critical moments, such as overtime, where his confidence and abilities shone through.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hurlbert is an elite offensive talent with strong skating and exceptionally quick, smooth puck skills; he’s especially shifty and elusive with the puck, routinely navigating neutral-zone traffic and jumping off the wall in the offensive zone to either release a high-end quick shot or create plays for teammates. In this game he led the his forward group with 24+ minutes of ice time, generating a high volume of shots (about eight per game) and driving the attack, though his season battle-success rate (~45%) indicates room for improvement along the boards and in puck retrievals. Defensive-zone play wass inconsistent – he was -3 in this game…he needs to recognize danger and then be present to help. He tends to circle too much rather than stop and start to recover, which hampered his ability to get to the house quickly and assist. His overall upside is huge as he can do things on the offensive side that not many can.
Owen Cooper (LW, L, 5’7″, 161, Kamloops Blazers, 08/11/2008)
Game Rating
B
Owen Cooper showcases a high compete level with good motor, demonstrated in his 13 minutes of game action. He excels in tight areas, utilizing quick hands and change-of-direction to maintain possession and create scoring chances. Cooper’s confidence on the edge allows him to be evasive and generate plays down low in the offensive zone. While he struggles with top-end speed on the rush, his reliable defensive play is notable, as he competes hard and uses his mobility to push lanes and recover. Continued strength and speed development could help Cooper consistently impact play across all three zones.
1 Viewing
Comments: Cooper is an undersized, high-effort winger for the Blazers who consistently drives quality minutes; in this game he logged just over 13 minutes, slightly above his ~12-minute season average. He’s an very good skater with good top-end speed, which he uses effectively over the full 200 feet-attacking on the forecheck quickly and persistently while hustling back hard on the backcheck and showing sound defensive-zone awareness. Despite a modest recorded battle success rate (~40%), he competes hard, digs for pucks and can be a disruptive presence along the boards. With possession he’s shifty and dangerous-worth keeping an eye on for the opposition because he has the vision and skill to make plays and create chances.
Ty Coupland (RW, R, 5’11”, 173, Kamloops Blazers, 05/06/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Coupland is a dependable middle-six option for the Blazers who logged 16+ minutes in this game and can be trusted with good 5 on 5 minutes; his skating mechanics are sound and his top-end speed is average, though he needs continued work on overall speed and quickness. He shows good puck skills and playmaking ability, but his passing and decision-making can break down under heavy pressure. He brings a good work ethic in the dirty areas — consistently battling on the walls, fighting for pucks in front of the net and serving as the net-front presence on the second power-play unit — and is persistent on backchecks. His current-season battle success rate sits at 47% with a notable game-to-game variance, indicating inconsistency in physical engagement and effectiveness; continued focus on explosive speed and consistency in battles will raise his floor and value to the lineup.
Harrison Brunicke (D, R, 6’3″, 195, Kamloops Blazers, 05/08/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Brunicke made an immediate impact in his return to the Blazers, standing out as a confident, mobile presence on the blue line. His very good skating allows him to defend effectively in tight spaces, engage physically with hits and pins in the defensive zone, and transition quickly—either carrying the puck to lead a rush or jumping in as an extra attacker. He combined crisp decision-making and strong passing with a quick release from the offensive blue line, showing the ability to be evasive and get pucks through traffic. One sequence saw him carry the puck through the Neutral Zone and beat a defenseman wide and release a wrist shot/indirect pass for a goal. He consistently reads the neutral zone well to disrupt attacks early and brought noticeable energy and jump in his first game back, projecting as a high-end two-way defenseman with play-driving instincts.
Carson Olsen (D, R, 5’11”, 161, Kamloops Blazers, 04/03/2006, UMass Lowell)
Game Rating
B-
Carson Olsen is a dynamic right-shooting defenseman who showcases impressive mobility and quickness on the ice. He utilizes his speed and stick skills to effectively break up plays without relying on physicality, making him a valuable asset in both even-strength and power play situations. Olsen’s agility allows him to navigate the ice with ease, and he excels at orchestrating the offense from the top of the power play, identifying and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Olsen also displays strong puck handling skills, quickly moving the puck to teammates with precise stick handling and passing ability. His quick feet and good mobility make him effective in one-on-one defending situations, while his head-up positioning allows for smart decision-making. These skills enhance his overall playmaking potential, making Olsen a promising prospect at the university level.
1 Viewing
Comments: Olsen is a dependable five-on-five option for the Blazers who profiles as a hard-working, 200-foot player; although he logged only ~12 minutes in this game (well below his 18+ minute season average), he was engaged every shift, displayed strong skating and quickness, and consistently moved pucks and made plays. He brings a notable physical edge — finishing checks, competing and pushing in front of the net — while remaining responsible defensively, making him a reliable middle-pairing/depth forward or defense option who can be trusted in all zones.
Josh Evaschesen (C, L, 6’2″, 191, Kamloops Blazers, 08/11/2006, RPI)
Game Rating
B+
Evaschesen is a hardworking center who excels in his defensive zone coverage, consistently tracking loose pucks and winning board battles. He takes responsibility for his own zone defense and also drives play from the middle of the ice. His vision and playmaking skills allow him to find teammates and create scoring opportunities. While Evaschesen’s skating ability is a limitation, he shows quickness and maneuverability in tight spaces. His stride is somewhat choppy, and his top-end speed is average, but he makes up for it with his competitive drive and ability to compete hard over the full 200 feet.
1 Viewing
Comments: Evaschesen is a steady, workmanlike two-way forward who quietly impacts games with a strong 200-foot game and reliable defensive instincts; he logged 19+ minutes in this contest, plays a key net-front role on the top power play, and consistently wins board battles (~55% success), forechecks hard and finishes physically. He pursues loose pucks hard and makes smart, efficient outlet plays off the wall in the defensive zone, showing reliable puck skills and the pace to cover ice effectively-though his skating mechanics could use refinement, which would go a long way for him. Not a flashy player by style, he nonetheless has the skill to create offense in transition (notably corralling an aerial pass, knocking it down and finishing with a beautiful goal on a forehand deke) and projects as a dependable, all-around contributor at higher levels.
Andrew Reyelts (G, L, 6’1″, 182, Penticton Vees, 03/20/2006, Minnesota Duluth)
Game Rating
B+
Reyelts showcases a poised and confident presence in the net, allowing him to read plays effectively and make impressive saves through technique rather than athleticism. He remains positionally sound, minimizing unnecessary movement and staying calm under pressure.
1 Viewing
Comments: Reyelts was excellent in this game, posting a 24-save victory and showing the makings of a high-level netminder; he is calm, reads plays exceptionally well, moves with purpose to stay square to shooters, and rarely loses his net. He challenges shooters effectively without unnecessary motion, limiting second-chance opportunities with few rebounds, and demonstrates strong puck-handling instincts — confidently coming out behind the net to play and make outlet passes. His calm positioning, rebound control, and poise under pressure make him a reliable last line of defense and a clear asset in transition.
Samuel Drancak (C, L, 6’0″, 197, Penticton Vees, 02/04/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Drancak is a hard-working, dependable two-way forward who brings a very sound overall skill set and will add depth and stability to the Vees. A strong skater with very good top-end speed and mobility, he consistently uses his edges to pursue pucks on the forecheck and pressure puck-moving defensemen; he showed poise with the puck and the ability to make plays, including a nifty touch pass through the slot to create a high-quality scoring chance. His hockey IQ stands out — he reads and executes defensive-zone coverage well and makes smart decisions in the offensive zone. In his debut with the Vees he logged ~13 minutes (below his 17+ season average), won over 60% of his faceoffs in the game (just above 50% on the season), and sits around 50% on puck-battle success for the year — a reliable, sound contributor who projects as a steady depth piece.
Matteo Danis (C, L, 6’1″, 187, Penticton Vees, 03/27/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Danis is a reliable two-way pivot who consistently brings a strong work ethic to the ice. As a left-shot center, he effectively competes for pucks, pressures opponents during forechecks, and acts as a net-front presence. His ability to handle the puck well allows him to make plays and contribute on both offense and defense. While his skating speed is average, he makes up for it with his hard work on walls and in battles.
1 Viewing
Comments: Danis is a high-energy, dependable centre who brings it every shift; his excellent top-end speed and strong skating allow him to pressure opponents, chase down loose pucks, and consistently recover possession. He competes hard along the boards and finishes checks when required, then turns those battles into offence with good puck skills and smart playmaking-one shift summed him up perfectly as he won a puck race/battle , went behind the net and delivered a precise pass into the slot for a goal. Comfortable in all three zones, he shows solid offensive awareness, contributes roughly 20 minutes per night, and is trusted on the second power-play and on the penalty kill, making him a reliable, multi-faceted contributor for the Vees.
Brittan Alstead (LW, L, 5’9″, 177, Penticton Vees, 01/06/2006, Connecticut)
Game Rating
B+
Brittan Alstead is a compact but determined left wing who consistently impacts play with his high-end compete level. He has a knack for being in the right spot around the net, finishing chances through driving or battling in tight spaces against bigger defensemen. On the power play, he is a reliable presence, working the walls hard and winning puck battles to create scoring opportunities. Alstead’s strengths lie in his relentless tenacity and ability to protect the puck well. He is shifty in tight with quick hands, using them effectively to make plays and finish chances off. His combination of good skating, quickness, and rapid release makes him a threat on the attack and a reliable two-way contributor.
1 Viewing
Comments: Alstead is a compact, high-energy winger who plays well above his size — he consistently finishes checks and wins puck battles while logging top-six minutes for the Vees, over 15 minutes in this game. He brings high end speed that he uses effectively to pressure defenders on the forecheck, routinely challenges them wide on the attack and cuts hard to the net, creating high-danger opportunities and serving as a key contributor on the top power play. Strong on his skates and difficult to dislodge, he combines quickness with smart puck-handling and timely playmaking, finding soft areas in the offensive zone. Equally committed in the defensive end, he backchecks aggressively and shows dependable, responsible coverage, making him a reliable two-way option capable of driving lineup minutes.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images