Played on Nov 23, 2025
Game Played in Scotiabank Saddledome
General Game Notes: Great pace to this game, not a lot of whistles. Good physicality out of both teams, Calgary had more chances and grade A’s, but the game was decently even overall and very back and forth with limited shots to start. As the game went on, the chances picked up with fatigue. Med hat allowed a late power play goal to send it to overtime, and the Ruck brothers connected on a delayed penalty to win.
Axel Hurtig (D, L, 6’5″, 208, Calgary Hitmen, 06/10/2005)
Game Rating
B
Axel Hurtig’s defensive prowess is evident in his shutdown-style gameplay, where he excels at controlling the flow of play in his own zone. He displays solid gap control, quickly closing on opponents as they attempt to gain possession in the neutral zone. His physicality allows him to separate opponents from the puck and win key battles for position. Hurtig’s reliable stick positioning and awareness make him a difficult matchup, as he consistently navigates the defensive zone with confidence. This combination of size, positioning, and instincts makes him a valuable asset to his team, capable of shutting down opposition’s top lines.
1 Viewing
Comments: Two-way defenseman with good gaps, poise, and puck-moving ability. Protected the puck well behind his net and made a strong wheel into a backhand pass on the weak side for an easy exit. Added a key block net front multiple times, and moves the puck well in the ozone when given the opportunity.
Hunter Aura (D, R, 5’10”, 168, Calgary Hitmen, 10/22/2007)
Game Rating
B
Aura exhibits strong poise as a two-way defenseman, controlling play from the back end with confidence. His intelligence plays a significant role in his effectiveness as a power play quarterback, where he reads pressure well and makes informed decisions on when to pass or shoot. Aura uses his skating ability to evade pressure and create clean breakouts. He consistently maintains good gap control, challenging entries early and denying space. In addition to his defensive responsibilities, Aura demonstrates the ability to contribute offensively. His speed and composure allow him to burn forecheckers and create clean breakouts. He also shows smart shot selection and puck movement, generating scoring chances late in games. Aura’s overall skill set is characterized by his high hockey sense and mobility, making him a dependable player in all situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Smooth-skating puck-moving defenseman with offensive upside. Moved the puck well on the power play and showed strong lateral mobility at the blue line to create lanes, remaining calm and composed with possession.
Harrison Lodewyk (C, L, 5’11”, 206, Calgary Hitmen, 03/01/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Power forward with high compete and strong checking. Finished checks aggressively on the forecheck and provided solid net front presence on the PP, burying a far-side crease pass from Dach over a sliding Tigers goalie for the tying goal.
Brandon Gorzynski (C, L, 6’2″, 187, Calgary Hitmen, 03/12/2007, Arizona State)
Game Rating
A-
Gorzynski displayed a well-rounded skill set during his game. He showcased his shooting ability by unleashing a strong one-timer from the side slot that found the back of the net. His physicality on the forecheck allowed him to create turnovers and protect the puck in tight spaces. Gorzynski’s size, strength, and shot combination make him a force to be reckoned with in the offensive zone.
1 Viewing
Comments: High-IQ forward with strong hands and puck skills. Executed a smart delay in the offensive zone into a backhand saucer pass to the late wave for a Grade A chance. Later pulled the puck between his legs to beat a defender clean for another high-end chance. Moved the puck effectively on the power play, he is an offensive driver for the Hitmen.
Rylan Ng (RW, R, 5’9″, 157, Calgary Hitmen, 09/22/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Fast forward with quick feet and good hands. Displayed strong IQ by opening up at the far blue line during a Tigers line change, taking a partial break and using a toe drag to beat the defender for a clean lane before finishing high blocker for an impressive first goal. Added a good stick on the PK to break up a play and send it 200 ft.
Kale Dach (C, L, 5’10”, 167, Calgary Hitmen, 02/15/2007, Penn State)
Game Rating
B
Kale Dach demonstrated his hockey prowess through his adept puck control and agility. He efficiently used his speed to create space on the ice, showcasing poise in multiple situations. Notably, his forehand-backhand deke was particularly effective, allowing him to capitalize on a scoring opportunity.
1 Viewing
Comments: Playmaking forward with strong puck handling, IQ, and passing. Made a good backhand feed from behind the net under pressure for a chance. Late in the game, he executed a spin-o-rama pass from the side of the net to find Lodewyk for the tying goal, showcasing his skill and vision.
Caine Wilke (LW, L, 5’8″, 168, Calgary Hitmen, 03/01/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Smart forward with strong skating edges, support details, and quick decision-making. Assisted on Ng’s goal with a fast up-ice read during a Tigers change and provided consistent low support for his defensemen in the corners and below the goal line, giving easy outlets, 200 ft player.
Carter Casey (G, L, 6’1″, 179, Medicine Hat Tigers, 12/03/2007, Minnesota)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Athletic goaltender with quick movement, sharp reactions, strong tracking, and good low seals. He made a strong post squeeze after getting beaten on a fake and battled hard through two rebound chances in front. Showed good tracking on a high deflection and made a big read on a late 2-on-1, pushing across and setting his feet to stop a one-timer with one second left to keep the game tied. Held solid depth on a wide-open Grade A one-timer. Needs to improve rebound control and stay more patient, as he can over-commit at times.
Yaroslav Bryzgalov (LW, L, 6’4″, 216, Medicine Hat Tigers, 03/23/2007, Merrimack)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Physical winger with a strong, accurate shot and good finishing on checks. Scored the tying goal on a 2-on-1, ripping a quick shot short-side high blocker. Finished checks numerous times on the forecheck and made a slick backhand slip pass through a defender’s legs to the slot for a chance, showing his offensive ability.
Liam Ruck (RW, R, 6’0″, 177, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/21/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Quick, skilled forward with high compete. Delivered a strong seam pass through two defenders to the backdoor for a chance. Made a sharp shot-pass through a tight lane to the net front for his brother for the game-winning goal, earning the assist.
Jonas Woo (D, R, 5’9″, 177, Medicine Hat Tigers, 11/19/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Offensive defenseman with deception, smooth skating, and good lateral footwork. Used deception and lateral movement at the blue line to beat a forward and get into a space for a shot attempt. Added a strong hit and full 200-foot clear on the PK, showing good details, and closing on corners.
Markus Ruck (C, L, 6’0″, 167, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/21/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Smart, competitive forward with good passing touch. Set up a breakaway with a clean backhand feed over a closing defender’s stick. Showed strong hand-eye and finishing touch at the net front in overtime, finding space for his brother’s feed and redirecting it five-hole for the game-winner.
Bryce Pickford (D, R, 6’0″, 192, Medicine Hat Tigers, 04/02/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Defenseman with good gaps, puck movement, offensive instincts, and a hard shot. Made a strong middle-lane look on the breakout and communicated well off the rush to organize tracking. Moved the puck effectively on the power play.
Noah Davidson (LW, L, 6’3″, 217, Medicine Hat Tigers, 11/01/2008, Boston College)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Skilled forward with soft hands and good IQ. Made a smart drop while taking pressure in the middle and later took a feed from M. Ruck to score a slick breakaway goal, showing soft hands to slide it five-hole for the go-ahead marker.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images