Played on Mar 1, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in Westoba Place
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed the WHL matchup between the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Brandon Wheat Kings on March 01, 2025. Despite the Tigers not having top player McKenna in the lineup due to suspension, they had no problem finding ways to put the puck in the net, scoring 5 while their goalie and strong defensive effort gave them a 5-0 win. Early on, there wasn’t much space in the middle of the ice to make plays, but as the game moved along and got more physical, lanes opened up that the Tigers were able to take advantage of, thanks in large part to their top line which logged lots of minutes.
Quinn Mantei (D, L, 6’0″, 187, Brandon Wheat Kings, 04/23/2005)
Game Rating
B
Mantei’s performance was marked by his aggressive play and confident positioning along the blue line. He demonstrated strong skating ability, able to carry the puck effectively and make plays on the rush. His vision and passing skills were evident, as seen in a precise backhand pass that led to a goal and assist. Mantei also showed his shooting ability, scoring a low shot through traffic. Notably, he was willing to drop down and apply pressure, creating opportunities for himself and teammates.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mantei provided strong puck-moving ability from the back end, consistently making smart breakout plays under pressure by protecting the puck and keeping his feet moving. He sidestepped a forechecker before making a clean exit pass, showing poise in tight situations. As the power-play quarterback, he moved efficiently along the blue line, using well-timed fakes to create passing lanes and find teammates on the half-wall. He also held the offensive blue line well, preventing clearances and keeping plays alive.
Jaxon Jacobson (LW, L, 5’10”, 178, Brandon Wheat Kings, 12/11/2008)
Game Rating
B
The player’s skill set is notable for its high-end offensive instincts, showcasing exceptional ability to control the puck in tight spaces and deliver precise passes. He displays quick hands and agility on the ice, allowing him to read defenses and capitalize on mistakes. His dynamic skating abilities enable him to generate controlled zone entries and create scoring opportunities. Defensively, he shows potential in covering opponents and disrupting passes, but could improve by being more cautious with long-range passes and quicker to react to loose pucks.
1 Viewing
Comments: Jacobson showcased his elite playmaking ability, consistently creating offensive chances by moving the puck from the outside to high-danger areas. He has a deceptive shot release, adjusting angles to get shots through defenders or making quick moves to open up a lane. Despite taking a heavy hit in the corner that forced him to miss a portion of the game, he showed resilience by returning and remaining an effective presence as his team fought to get back in the game. His ability to bounce back under adversity highlighted his toughness as a young player in the league.
Nigel Boehm (D, L, 5’11”, 170, Brandon Wheat Kings, 09/22/2008)
Game Rating
B
Nigel Boehm demonstrated a solid defensive presence, showcasing his ability to stay in front of opponents while minimizing giveaways. He excelled at transitioning out of his own zone by quickly changing direction on skates and using his agility to maintain position. Boehm’s edge work is impressive, allowing him to control loose pucks and protect the puck with his body. His speed and mobility enable him to transition seamlessly into the offense, making him a formidable opponent in both defensive and attacking situations. As a 16-year-old player, Boehm’s skills are already notable and will likely continue to improve as he gains experience in the WHL.
1 Viewing
Comments: Boehm showed composure under pressure, keeping his feet moving despite a forward draped all over him, circling the net and executing a clean breakout pass. Defensively, he played a 1-on-1 well, focusing on his man and forcing him wide instead of allowing an inside lane. At the point, he demonstrated patience, holding his shot for a split second to let a shooting lane open before firing a well-placed shot through a screen. He also made a strong shot-blocking effort, sticking with a forward curling around the circle and keeping his body in front. His gap control was excellent, consistently disrupting rushes.
Joby Baumuller (RW, R, 5’10”, 188, Brandon Wheat Kings, 07/19/2007)
Game Rating
B
Baumuller is a skilled forward who excels at maintaining possession through tight spaces. His ability to control his speed allows him to navigate through traffic with ease, making him a threat in both the defensive and offensive zones. He consistently uses his hands to finish hits, showcasing his physicality and presence along the boards. In the offensive zone, Baumuller is quick to move the puck and has good instincts on where to direct it. However, he could improve by being more cautious when challenging defenders one-on-one, as this often leads to losing possession. When presented with open opportunities, Baumuller consistently delivers the puck to teammates or takes advantage of loose pucks in the slot.
1 Viewing
Comments: A highly creative playmaker, Baumuller made quick, cross-ice passes that caught defenders off guard, springing teammates into open space for rushes. He has a knack for finding soft spots in the offensive zone when away from the puck, often timing his movement perfectly to find open ice in the slot. On one notable play, he skated down the wing, made a hard cut to the middle, and got off a well-placed wrist shot with a quick release.
Luke Shipley (D, R, 6’0″, 186, Brandon Wheat Kings, 08/08/2004, UMass Lowell)
Game Rating
B+
Shipley’s playmaking abilities were on full display as he effectively moved the puck into scoring positions. He demonstrated good vision, often finding open passing lanes that allowed his teammates to set up for one-timers. Shipley also showcased his confidence in taking advantage of space, using it to control the pace of the game. His ability to read the play and distribute the puck to open areas created quality scoring chances. Shipley’s skating and agility allowed him to move fluidly around the rink, making it difficult for defenders to keep up with him. He was able to skate the puck out of his own end and into the opponent’s zone with control, finding space in the middle of the ice to set up his teammates. His ability to quarterback the powerplay from the middle of the rink also showed his poise under pressure.
1 Viewing
Comments: A true No. 1 offensive defenseman, Shipley is both dynamic and reliable with the puck, logging heavy minutes for his team. His speed allows him to pull away from defenders when carrying the puck, and he can make quick moves to find open ice. His vision is a standout trait—he scans the ice well, waiting for teammates to get open and threading passes through tight lanes. Defensively, he maintains a strong gap, stepping up to make checks as rushers enter the blue line. At the point, he’s patient and poised, walking the line effectively with stop-and-start movements to open shooting and passing lanes.
Marcus Nguyen (RW, R, 5’11”, 183, Brandon Wheat Kings, 08/02/2004, Nebraska Omaha)
Game Rating
B
Nguyen’s skillset is highlighted by his speed and agility, allowing him to make plays in tight spaces. He is a physical player who uses his strength to maintain possession under pressure, often carrying the puck into the dirty areas of the ice. His shot release is quick and powerful, making him a threat from various angles. He is an aggressive forechecker who isn’t afraid to take hits or deliver checks when necessary. Nguyen’s ability to create opportunities through his positioning and movement is a key aspect of his game. While he may not always finish chances, his overall skillset suggests he is a valuable asset on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Nguyen is a relentless competitor who is hard to play against, matching quick skaters stride for stride and refusing to be shaken off. He gives consistent second and third efforts to win pucks back, making him a tenacious presence in all three zones. He brings a physical edge to his game, engaging effectively on the forecheck and battling in the offensive zone corners. When he has time and space, he stays composed, scanning the ice to make the right play rather than forcing decisions. One standout sequence saw him skate hard down the ice, receive a pass just inside the faceoff dot, and fire off a quick, well-placed shot.
Nolan Flamand (LW, L, 5’10”, 190, Brandon Wheat Kings, 01/12/2004)
Game Rating
B-
Flamand displayed a solid understanding of the game, utilizing his offense by taking shots at their merits rather than forcing attempts. He was proactive in creating deflections when the shooting lane wasn’t favorable, showing a commitment to making plays. When receiving one-timers from his teammate, Flamand effectively used his positioning to create scoring opportunities. His first goal showcased his vision, as he recognized open space and tapped in a rebound after it bounced off the goalie. He also demonstrated accuracy on a one-timer from the low circle, beating the goalie cleanly from a tough angle.
1 Viewing
Comments: Flamand was instrumental in driving the transition game, starting multiple plays by carrying the puck out of his own zone. On one sequence, he took a drop pass on the wing and delivered a hard, accurate pass right onto his teammate’s tape at the net. His speed through the middle of the ice forced defenders to collapse on him, which he exploited by making a quick pass to his winger, who now had open space to attack.
Harrison Meneghin (G, L, 6’3″, 172, Medicine Hat Tigers, 09/13/2004)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Meneghin was rock solid between the pipes, earning a shutout with a calm and composed performance. He held strong against net-front pressure, tracking pucks well and staying square to shooters. His quick pads were a difference-maker, kicking away dekes in tight. He showed strong rebound control, reading outside shots well and holding onto pucks when necessary. While he had a couple of slight misreads on shots, he recovered quickly and remained steady throughout the game.
Tyson Moss (D, R, 5’10”, 165, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/11/2008)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: A steady presence as the last man back, he reads the ice well and consistently makes smart plays. He showed good composure at the blue line, walking across to create space before getting a shot through traffic to the net.
Oasiz Wiesblatt (C, L, 5’7″, 180, Medicine Hat Tigers, 04/08/2004)
Game Rating
A-
Comments: Wiesblatt was a creative offensive force with great hands in tight, finishing off a quick pass with a smooth move and shot in close for a goal. His vision stood out as he made a pinpoint pass from his own blue line across the ice, hitting his teammate in stride at the offensive blue line. A dynamic playmaker, he consistently delivered tape-to-tape passes through traffic and found teammates in scoring positions. His zone entries were constant throughout the game, setting up offensive sequences with patience and control. He also showed awareness by moving off the wall into the slot, setting up a teammate with a smart drop pass for a prime scoring chance.
1 Viewing
Comments: Wiesblatt was a creative offensive force with great hands in tight, finishing off a quick pass with a smooth move and shot in close for a goal. His vision stood out as he made a pinpoint pass from his own blue line across the ice, hitting his teammate in stride at the offensive blue line. A dynamic playmaker, he consistently delivered tape-to-tape passes through traffic and found teammates in scoring positions. His zone entries were constant throughout the game, setting up offensive sequences with patience and control. He also showed awareness by moving off the wall into the slot, setting up a teammate with a smart drop pass for a prime scoring chance.
Mathew Ward (C, L, 5’9″, 170, Medicine Hat Tigers, 01/24/2004, Northern Michigan)
Game Rating
A-
Mathew Ward demonstrated exceptional skill on the ice, showcasing his ability to create scoring opportunities for his team. He excelled at making quick, precise passes to set up his teammates for chances. His stick-handling skills allowed him to control the puck and create space, which he capitalized on with a beautiful tape-to-tape pass into the slot. Ward also displayed impressive shooting ability, using his quick release to score from different angles. His agility and vision enabled him to pick out open teammates with pinpoint passes, highlighting his exceptional playmaking skills.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ward was engaged all over the ice, making strong defensive plays and contributing offensively. He was effective in the neutral zone, disrupting breakouts by getting his stick on pucks. His physicality stood out with a big hit along the boards and another in his own zone behind the net. Offensively, he displayed strong instincts, taking the puck up the wall from the corner, sidestepping a defender, and firing a shot from the high circle that found the back of the net. He made a key block on the penalty kill, sparking a 2-on-1 and setting up his teammate with a well-placed pass through a defender. Even on the PK, he was dangerous, using quick hands to deke around a defenseman and get a backhand shot off in tight.
Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (RW, R, 6’0″, 185, Medicine Hat Tigers, 11/26/2008)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Gordon-Carroll brought power and determination to his game, driving into the offensive zone and lowering his shoulder to absorb a check while maintaining possession. He made a heads-up play in the neutral zone, knocking down a puck before skating over the blue line, where he executed a drop pass while falling, leading to a shot and rebound goal for his team, earning him an assist.
Hunter St.Martin (C, L, 6’1″, 175, Medicine Hat Tigers, 06/13/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Hunter St. Martin is an agile skater who excels at getting past defenders. He quickly changes direction, often using a crossover move to evade opponents. When battling for the puck in front of the net, he displays tenacity and a willingness to get dirty goals. On the penalty kill, he applies pressure aggressively, forcing the opposing team to make hasty decisions. St. Martin’s ability to pick up loose pucks and capitalize on them is impressive, as seen when he sniped a shot from the goal line over the goalie’s shoulder. He also has a reliable one-timer in tight spaces, showcasing his accuracy with powerful shots.
1 Viewing
Comments: St. Martin utilized his speed effectively, carrying the puck through the neutral zone with pace. His quick hands were evident as he deked around a defender and slid a pass across the slot to a forward driving the net. He also demonstrated poise in tight situations, handling the puck in his feet, quickly transitioning to his stick, and executing a smooth forehand-to-backhand move for a quality shot on goal.
Ryder Ritchie (LW, R, 6’0″, 180, Medicine Hat Tigers, 08/03/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Ritchie had a strong two-way game, showcasing his defensive awareness with a hard backcheck where he lifted the forward’s stick and directed the puck to his defenseman. Offensively, he was just as sharp, delivering a beautiful saucer pass over a defender’s stick on a 2-on-1. He was active in creating turnovers, lifting a stick in the offensive zone and quickly moving the puck to a teammate at the net. His offensive skill was on full display when he moved in from the outside, executed a smooth curl-and-drag release, and placed a perfectly timed shot top corner for a goal.
Veeti Vaisanen (D, L, 6’1″, 190, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/15/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Valsanen showed strong puck control at the blue line, quickly stepping to the middle before threading a pass to an open forward on the far side of the net. He demonstrated skill in open ice, stepping around a checking forward before rushing down the wing. His ability to protect the puck using his body made him difficult to knock off possession, allowing him to maintain control against aggressive forecheckers.
Tanner Molendyk (D, L, 6’0″, 187, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/03/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Tanner Molendyk is a dynamic defenseman known for his exceptional speed and agility. He excels at creating scoring opportunities from the backend through controlled zone entries and impressive footwork. On the rush, he uses his quickness to maintain possession and control the puck in the offensive zone. Molendyk is also adept at reading the game, staying with shifty forwards to cut off their attacking paths. His physicality allows him to win battles in his own end, making him a force to be reckoned with. When moving forward, he showcases his skill by faking out defenders and delivering precise passes to open teammates, highlighting his exceptional vision and playmaking ability from the defensemen’s perspective.
1 Viewing
Comments: Molendyk logged significant ice time and was a standout with his skating ability. He effortlessly picked up the puck behind his own net, weaving through checkers for an end-to-end rush, controlling the puck smoothly through the neutral zone and into the offensive end. An offensive defenseman with excellent vision, he generated plays with his skating and awareness. On one rush, he maneuvered around a defender and attempted a flashy between-the-legs move as he crossed the crease. His smooth skating makes it look effortless as he moves up the ice with his head up, constantly scanning for plays.
Niilopekka Muhonen (D, L, 6’4″, 194, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/28/2006)
Game Rating
B
Niilopekka Muhonen is an instrumental player in his team’s transition game, often initiating attacks by pushing the pace and moving the puck around the boards or to the half wall for his wingers to capitalize on. He excels at clearing his own zone, using his physicality to dislodge opponents from the puck, and then quickly finding open teammates with pinpoint passes up the ice. What sets Muhonen apart is his exceptional decision-making speed and awareness. He can rapidly assess situations, collect the puck in high-pressure moments, and deliver precise passes that leave little time for opposing teams to react, making him a vital component of his team’s offense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Muhonen was a physical force on defense, delivering big hip checks as forwards crossed the blue line. He showed strong defensive instincts with a neutral zone steal before skating in on a rush, using his reach to deke around a defender but was ultimately denied by a glove save. While not the most fluid skater, he was selective in his movements, choosing his spots well when carrying the puck.
Ethan Neutens (C, R, 6’4″, 206, Medicine Hat Tigers, 05/03/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Neutens made an impact in both zones, showing offensive creativity by skating the puck from the wall to the middle, drawing pressure, and sliding the puck to an open teammate who buried the shot for a goal. He also contributed defensively, providing physical support in the corners of his own zone.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images