Played on Oct 11, 2025
Game Played in South Okanagan Events Centre
General Game Notes: October 11, 2025 – Kelowna Rockets vs. Penticton Vees In a competitive Okanagan matchup, the Penticton Vees rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Kelowna Rockets 5-3. Forward Matteo Danis (#29) led the comeback with a hat trick, showcasing strong offensive instincts and finishing ability. The Vees displayed resilience and controlled play in the latter half, outscoring Kelowna 5-1 after the early setback.
Joshua Banini (G, L, 6’1″, 194, Kelowna Rockets, 04/10/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Banini plays with a high compete level and a noticeable willingness to battle through traffic. While his style can appear unorthodox at times, he consistently finds ways to make saves, showing strong situational awareness and a never-quit mentality. He does a great job tracking pucks through screens and congestion, often getting just enough of his body in front of shots that seem destined for the back of the net. His hands are particularly active — whether flashing the glove or making last-second blocker saves, he’s able to react late and still stay in the play. While his stat line from this game may not reflect a dominant performance, several of the goals he allowed came on high-danger chances where he had little opportunity to make the save. Overall, Banini’s battle level, athleticism, and ability to stay engaged in tough sequences stood out.
Mazden Leslie (D, R, 6’1″, 201, Kelowna Rockets, 04/15/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Mazden Leslie is a right-shot defenseman who leans more on his offensive instincts than his defensive game. He excels at the blue line, particularly on the power play, where he consistently plays with his head up, finds shooting lanes, and gets pucks through traffic — A great example came on the first goal of the game, where Leslie filtered into a shooting position and quickly released a wrist shot that was tipped in front for a goal. The play highlighted his ability to recognize net-front traffic, act decisively, and be a shooting threat without overhandling the puck. In addition to his shooting ability, Leslie is a strong puck mover. He makes crisp, accurate passes and can set up teammates in high-danger scoring areas. While his defensive game can be inconsistent at times, he retrieves pucks effectively and transitions play quickly, which helps limit time spent in his own zone. Overall, Leslie brings offensive upside from the back end, with power-play poise, puck-moving skill, and awareness in the offensive zone.
Kalder Varga (RW, R, 5’11”, 181, Kelowna Rockets, 06/24/2008, Denver)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Varga possesses an explosive first step that allows him to separate from defenders, especially in transition. He consistently pushes the pace off the rush, forcing defenders to back off whether he’s carrying the puck or driving the lane without it. This speed opens up space and creates lanes to generate offense. He shows good puck poise under pressure and plays with his head up. His vision was evident throughout the game, as he created several high-danger opportunities for teammates by finding them in soft spots — although they weren’t converted, the plays showed his offensive instincts and ability to make smart decisions in motion.
Carson Wetsch (RW, R, 6’1″, 201, Kelowna Rockets, 05/04/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Carson Wetsch is a versatile player with a well-rounded game that makes him valuable to his team in various situations. He excels at winning puck battles and committing to stopping on the puck, often going unnoticed by opponents. Offensively, he can score through physical battles in the blue paint or using his speed off the rush, making him a constant threat. Wetsch’s ability to create opportunities for his team is impressive, showcasing his well-rounded game and leadership. He is a dominant force in all three zones, using his size and tenacity to make an impact with his physicality. While he may not be flashy with his puck skills, Wetsch keeps his game simple and effective, focusing on making the right plays and getting pucks on net. His relentless work ethic and ability to create scoring chances make him a valuable asset to his team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Wetsch brings a clear sense of leadership to his team, consistently doing the little things right that often go unnoticed. He’s strong in the face-off circle, winning key draws in both the offensive and defensive zones, helping his team start with possession in crucial moments. Physically, he’s a big, strong forward who competes hard and doesn’t cheat the game. He consistently wins puck battles and sets the tone with his work ethic. Offensively, Wetsch drives play up ice — pushing the pace, challenging defenders, and going hard to the net whether he has the puck or not. His net-front presence creates space and opportunities for his linemates. He makes those around him better through his effort, hockey sense, and willingness to play a heavy, honest game. Over the course of a game, he wears down opponents with his consistent pressure and physical engagement.
Kanjyu Gojsic (RW, R, 6’0″, 187, Kelowna Rockets, 01/11/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Gojsic is a power-forward type with a blend of size, physicality, and skill. He forechecks with intent, consistently applying pressure and leaning on defenders to disrupt breakouts and force turnovers. His physical presence makes life difficult for opposing defensemen throughout the game. He’s highly effective in puck battles, using his body to win possession and generate offensive chances. A great example came on the second goal of the game, where he forced a turnover below the goal line and quickly threaded a pass to the front of the net, finding a wide-open teammate for the finish — showcasing both vision and touch. While not an elite skater, Gojsic protects the puck well and uses his frame to create space in the offensive zone. His ability to turn physical plays into scoring opportunities adds strong value in a top-nine or net-front role.
Owen Folstrom (C, R, 5’11”, 184, Kelowna Rockets, 03/21/2008)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Folstrom played with consistent effort across all three zones, showing a strong work ethic and willingness to engage physically. He battled hard along the boards and didn’t shy away from contact when opportunities arose. Defensively, he was committed—backchecking into his own zone and working to disrupt plays with good positioning and stick pressure. Offensively, Folstrom drove the net with purpose and was rewarded for his effort, tipping home a puck on the power play. His net-front presence and willingness to go to high-traffic areas contributed directly to generating scoring chances.
Andrew Reyelts (G, L, 6’1″, 182, Penticton Vees, 03/20/2006, Minnesota Duluth)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Reyelts plays a calm and composed style of goaltending, making the game look effortless at times. He stays patient on his feet, reads the play well, and consistently positions himself square to the puck, allowing him to make saves with efficiency and control. His strong positioning directly contributes to solid rebound control, as he’s rarely caught out of place. While generally sound, there are areas for refinement. At times, Reyelts could rely more on his hands—catching pucks rather than blocking—to further limit second-chance opportunities. Additionally, he could compete harder through traffic and improve his visibility on screened plays. That said, Reyelts is technically sharp, efficient on his posts, and his poised demeanor brings a steadying presence to his team in high-pressure situations.
Ethan Weber (D, R, 6’0″, 187, Penticton Vees, 12/10/2006, Penn State)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Weber is a dynamic, two-way defenseman who contributes effectively at both ends of the ice. Defensively, he maintains a strong gap and consistently wins battles along the boards. His skating allows him to retrieve pucks efficiently and quickly transition play with accurate, tape-to-tape breakout passes. He plays with his head up and shows poise under pressure, allowing him to make smart, timely decisions. A standout moment came in the third period, where he demonstrated high-end offensive instincts — zipping a precise back-door pass from the blue line for a tap-in goal. The play highlighted his vision, hockey IQ, and ability to impact the game offensively from the back end.
Callum Stone (D, L, 5’8″, 171, Penticton Vees, 02/08/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Stone is an elite puck-moving defenseman who elevates the play of those around him. While not the biggest on the back end, he makes up for it with excellent speed, agility, and hockey sense. His mobility allows him to retrieve pucks efficiently and quickly transition play up ice. He consistently delivers crisp, tape-to-tape passes thanks to his habit of keeping his head up and scanning for options. Stone shows strong awareness and poise under pressure, making smart, calculated decisions with the puck. Off the rush, he’s a dynamic threat — frequently joining as the fourth attacker and disguising shot attempts to slip creative passes to teammates driving the net. His vision and playmaking were on full display against the Kelowna Rockets, where he registered three assists and played a direct role in multiple scoring plays. Stone’s offensive instincts, combined with his ability to control pace from the back end, make him a valuable asset on any blue line.
Brady Birnie (C, L, 5’8″, 171, Penticton Vees, 09/07/2005, Bemidji State)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Birnie is a smaller winger who plays with pace and deception. He’s shifty with the puck and excels in transition, attacking off the rush with speed and control. He consistently keeps his head up, allowing him to read the play and make quick decisions under pressure. His hands stay in a ready position, helping him evade stick checks and execute quick passes or release shots in stride. Birnie’s vision stands out, particularly on the rush, where he often identifies and connects with teammates driving to the net, creating high-quality scoring chances.
Ryden Evers (F, L, 6’4″, 196, Penticton Vees, 06/22/2005, Clarkson)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Evers consistently found soft spots in the offensive zone, both during 5-on-5 play and off the rush, allowing him to get quality looks at the net. Despite his size, he moves well and showed good edge work, allowing him to maneuver in tight areas and stay involved in the play. He demonstrated a well-rounded skill set, making smart passes under pressure and protecting the puck effectively. Evers uses his large frame to get to the interior, playing between the dots and driving the net. Throughout the game, he flashed high-end skill with a combination of physical presence and finesse, making several impactful plays in the offensive zone.
Matteo Danis (C, L, 6’1″, 187, Penticton Vees, 03/27/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Danis had a standout performance, scoring a hat trick — with two of his goals coming in nearly identical fashion. Both were the result of hard drives to the net off the rush, where he beat his defender to the inside lane and capitalized with quick hands in tight. These plays highlighted his determination, edge work, and hand-eye coordination — finishing with confidence once he got to the dirty areas. His relentless effort was evident throughout the night. Danis consistently won 50/50 battles, pushed the pace off the rush, and was a catalyst for offensive chances. His willingness to compete and go to the hard areas is the kind of trait coaches love, and he showed an ability to both outwork and out-skill his opponents.
Brittan Alstead (LW, L, 5’9″, 177, Penticton Vees, 01/06/2006, Connecticut)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Despite not having imposing size, Alstead plays with grit and doesn’t shy away from the hard areas of the ice. He engages physically when needed and consistently competes in puck battles across all three zones. Offensively, he’s willing to go to the net and understands how to time his routes to get rewarded. A perfect example came in the third period, where he drove hard to the back post and redirected a crisp pass for a game-tying goal. The play highlighted his willingness to battle, his offensive instincts, and his ability to capitalize in key moments.
Cameron Norrie (LW, L, 6’1″, 196, Penticton Vees, 05/29/2007)
Oct 11/25Mike Garteig#92 Norrie, Cameron (Penticton)Birth Date: May 29, 2007Line: 4Position: LW6.01 / 195
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Viewed on TV
Comments: Norrie showed heart and determination throughout the game, consistently competing and winning battles that looked lost. On multiple occasions, he beat opponents to loose pucks, turning 50/50 plays into possession for his team through sheer effort. He displayed a willingness to attack the net when the opportunity was there, showing good instincts and drive to get inside. For a player his size, he moved well — skating with purpose and maintaining strong pace through all three zones.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images