Played on Mar 22, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The Kelowna Rockets snapped a 14 game home ice losing streak as they came from behind to win 4-3 over the Kamloops Blazers. Down 2-0 early the Rockets got goals from Dawson Gerwing and Connor Pankratz to tie the game. The winner was scored by Gabriel Guilbault, his first in the WHL, that was the subject of a lengthy video review.
Rhett Ravndahl (D, R, 6’1″, 189, Kamloops Blazers, 02/15/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Ravndahl is a solid, steady 6’1 right shooting defenseman who leverages his good skating ability and mobility to effectively manage both defensive responsibilities and puck retrievals in the defensive zone. His calm demeanor under pressure and poise with the puck allow him to maintain composure, ensuring he rarely panics during critical situations thus being a reliable puck mover. A dedicated worker, Ravndahl consistently puts in the effort, logging over 21 minutes in this game while making solid contributions in both five-on-five scenarios and on the penalty kill. However, he does exhibit limitations in his offensive game, along with inconsistent puck battle success that may prevent him from being a dynamic playmaker. Overall, Ravndahl is a reliable defense-first player who can anchor a defensive unit but may need to develop his offensive skills to reach his full potential.
Nathan Behm (C, R, 6’1″, 195, Kamloops Blazers, 04/18/2007)
Game Rating
B
Behm’s impressive physical presence is complemented by his exceptional skill set, which includes strong skating ability and great hands that allow him to be shifty in tight spaces. He has a patient approach to playing with the puck, often waiting for the right moment to unleash his excellent shot or create plays for teammates. Behm’s deceptive quickness with the puck enables him to accelerate effectively and maintain high speed while making plays. However, there are areas where he needs improvement, particularly in puck battles, where he has struggled to gain an edge due to his size and skill. Enhancing his effectiveness in these situations could elevate his game further. Despite this, Behm’s overall skill set and versatility make him a formidable presence on the ice with tremendous upside.
1 Viewing
Comments: Behm is a highly skilled forward standing at 6’1′ who possesses a rare blend of size and agility, making him a presence on the ice. His skating ability is impressive, allowing him to maneuver effectively despite his stature. On this particular night, he showcased his great hands and an exceptional shot release, demonstrating his scoring potential. However, he appeared somewhat stationary and less dynamic than usual, opting for a slower pace that limited his ability to leverage his speed and attack through the neutral zone, a tactic he has employed effectively in previous games. His ice time was slightly reduced, falling about two minutes below his season average. Nevertheless, Behm’s high-end hockey IQ and vision stand out, as he consistently makes smart plays, drawing defenders in and finding open teammates with precision passing. Overall, while he displayed moments of what he’s capable of, a return to his more aggressive high-tempo game on a consistent basis will be key to unlocking his full potential and having a long successful career at higher levels.
Tommy Lafreniere (C, R, 5’11”, 172, Kamloops Blazers, 01/16/2007)
Game Rating
B
Lafrenière’s impressive prospect showcases a dynamic skill set that contributes to his effectiveness on both offense and defense. He excels with solid skating ability, speed, and quickness, allowing him to maneuver through tight spaces and evade defenders. His keen hockey IQ enables him to make smart plays with the puck, making him an asset on power play and penalty-killing units. While he demonstrates reliability in defensive zone coverage and a strong positional awareness, Lafrenière needs to improve his performance in puck battles. However, his overall game intelligence and skill set make him a valuable contributor to any team. His ability to create scoring opportunities, maintain possession, and evade defenders effectively showcases his comprehensive 200-foot game.
1 Viewing
Comments: Lafreniere is an adept skater with good top-end speed, showcasing his strengths primarily in the offensive zone rather than as a driver of the attack through the neutral zone. His high hockey IQ allows him to make quick decisions and locate his teammates effectively, making him a significant threat when the puck is in the offensive end, thus the big minutes he puts in on the team’s top power-play unit. Lafreniere’s elusiveness is a key asset, enabling him to navigate through defensive setups creatively. His skills are also particularly evident on the penalty kill, where he excels at reading plays and being disruptive as he did on this night several times causing problems for the Rockets negotiating their neutral zone drop back pass. However, he does need to improve his physicality along the boards, as he often relies on his stick to do the work rather than using his body, resulting in a lower success rate in puck battles. Lafreniere had a challenging game defensively, struggling at times to make effective reads and be assertive on the puck, leading to a disappointing -3 rating. Overall, Lafreniere’s offensive instincts, work ethic and intelligence position him as a valuable asset, with room for growth on the defensive side of the puck.
Kalder Varga (RW, R, 5’11”, 172, Kelowna Rockets, 06/24/2008)
Game Rating
B
Kalder Varga showcases exceptional speed and agility, allowing him to make quick plays with ease. Despite being relatively small in stature, he demonstrates a strong willingness to compete for pucks on the wall. His puck skills are particularly impressive, with excellent distribution and scoring abilities. He has the potential to become an offensive threat at the next level, leveraging his shooting accuracy to create scoring opportunities. Varga’s overall skillset suggests that he could make significant contributions to a team as both a playmaker and goal-scorer, providing valuable depth to their lineup.
1 Viewing
Comments: Varga is a hard working, agile and dynamic right shooting forward who has demonstrated impressive skating ability, particularly in terms of top speed and acceleration. Over the course of the season, he has shown significant growth in his confidence, which has translated into a more assertive playing style, especially when driving the attack through the neutral zone and and his willingness to challenge larger defensemen and take the puck to the net highlights his determination and competitive nature. He’s also shown increased poise as he’s willing to hold onto pucks longer to make plays. However, Varga’s game defensively is still a work in progress, particularly in his off-puck awareness and positioning, which needs refinement. Additionally, his performance in wall battles is currently lacking, with a success rate under 40% for the season, indicating a need for improvement in strength and technique. As he matures physically, there is optimism that his ability to compete for pucks will increase, enhancing his overall effectiveness in games.
Hayden Paupanekis (C, R, 6’4″, 200, Kelowna Rockets, 02/04/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Hayden Paupanekis brings a strong work ethic and reliability to his team, contributing significantly to both the power play and penalty kill units. His size and skill make him a formidable presence in the offensive zone, where he excels at cycling the puck and exploiting seams in the defense. With good agility and physicality, Paupanekis is a valuable asset on both ends of the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Paupanekis is a 6’4′, right-shot centerman who may not possess the smoothest skating technique, yet compensates with very good top-end speed and a relentless work ethic that shines through in every game, regardless of his team’s standing. His effectiveness spans the entire ice, as he demonstrates a strong ability to control the puck in the offensive zone, where he excels at cycling along the boards, diving into seams to get to the middle and unleashing a quick release that makes him a formidable scoring threat. While he shows promise in his two-way game, there are areas for improvement, particularly in the defensive zone; he tends to circle rather than consistently playing the hard stop and stop game, indicating a need for refinement in his positioning and decision-making. Overall, Paupanekis’s combination of size, skill, and determination makes him a valuable asset, and with further development, he has the potential to become a well-rounded player at the next level.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images