Played on Apr 19, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in VisitLethbridge.com Arena
General Game Notes: The Lethbridge Hurricanes earned a convincing five to one victory over the Calgary Hitmen forcing a game seven in the series. The win for the Hurricanes ends a three game losing streaks thanks a lot to their goaltending and team defense, both were dialed in tonight
Axel Hurtig (D, L, 6’5″, 210, Calgary Hitmen, 06/10/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Hurtig constantly shows the ability and willingness to throw the body around. A down side of his game is that he lacks any sort of offensive skill, and cannot be counted on for anything more than marginal offensive production. In addition, Hurtig’s true defensive value is unclear, as he sometimes sacrifices the truly smart defensive play in order to make the biggest hit. Given his physical nature and plus size, Hurtig at the very least can be a force on the penalty kill and any shut down situation, in a game where the other team did a lot of scoring, Hurtig played a protected game and showed that he is not afraid of confrontation.
Carson Birnie (F, L, 6’1″, 187, Calgary Hitmen, 02/22/2005, Michigan Tech)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Offensively, Birnie is quite limited, and his lack of puck skills or high end skating ability relegates him to being only a marginal offensive contributor. He is not being paid for his offense, though, and he can still provide capable defensive play as well as some physicality to a lacking line up. He cannot plant his skates in the neutral zone and take his time to look for the right pass, nor can he just steamroll his way to the net every fast break. He provides a lot of energy to a third line and also brings defensive ability along with that. He is not a shutdown winger, but he is responsible in his own end and is an asset in transition thanks to his vision and the offensive skill he does have.
Oliver Tulk (F, R, 5’8″, 172, Calgary Hitmen, 01/19/2005, Wisconsin)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Tulk was able to show tonight that he is a smart winger with great north south speed, and he has the lower body strength to make an impact along the boards and in the corners. He is not an intimidating physical force, but he can reliably win puck battles and rattle off a hit or two when he needs to. Despite his smaller stature, he plays with grit, a big reason as to why he was able to reach the one hundred point mark. Clearly when he has the puck on his stick, he has the confidence to make some plays that the defense do not see coming. The problem tonight was that they just were not connecting resulting in odd man rushes the other way.
Brandon Gorzynski (C, L, 6’2″, 187, Calgary Hitmen, 03/12/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: In on a mini breakaway, Gorzynski was able to show his skill with a nice move at the top of the crease and a backhand shelf type of goal. It was a nice goal that gave his team some sort of life, even if it was short lasted. Overall tonight, Gorzynski was able to show that he is an above average playmaker, with underrated puck skills and a good playmaking mind. He is a smart player, which allows him to be a decent two way player, but his ability to be relatively responsible in his own end cannot be confused with him being a defensively capable forward. He is good enough defensively for it to not drag down his offensive contributions too much, but he cannot take on tough defensive assignments against the other teams top lines tonight.
Jackson Unger (G, L, 6’2″, 195, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 01/13/2005)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Unger has solid size to square up to shooters and remove room in the net for them to score. He has good command of his angles and moves with intent, rather than out of desperation. He is a crisp skater and has decent puck moving abilities, but his ability to control the flow of the game is a huge reason as to why he was successful tonight. When there is chaos in his zone, he understands a freeze is necessary. Same thing on the other side, if he sees a play to get the puck up the ice himself, he is not afraid to make that pass.
Noah Chadwick (D, L, 6’4″, 202, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 05/10/2005)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Chadwick has a lot of promising attributes, he can play at both ends of the ice and has the size and footwork to skate around the ice at ease. Scored a nice goal and opened the scoring on the power play getting the puck back at the point from a scramble at the net front, with everyone down, including the goalie, Chadwick put the puck in the top half of the net. One aspect about Chadwick’s game is that he does a good job at his two way responsibilities, creating offense and keeping the puck out of the, but he also plays physical. Multiple times throughout the game tonight he would take rushes and angle guys into the boards, setting up the hit way before it actually happened. He creates momentum for his team in many different ways, making him that much more valuable.
Brayden Edwards (RW, R, 6’0″, 186, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 12/23/2004)
Game Rating
A-
Edwards displays a natural ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He excels at finding open spaces and delivering precise passes to set up plays, often with defenders pressured. His quick release and effective shot allow him to capitalize on scoring chances when he has the time. While his acceleration could be improved, Edwards becomes a formidable opponent once he gains speed, making it difficult for defenders to keep pace. Defensively, Edwards plays a solid game, prioritizing smart decision-making and spatial awareness over taking risks.
1 Viewing
Comments: Edwards picked a low corner for the dagger and seal the game. With his head up in tight, most players are looking to go high but Edwards was able to see the net open low and snapped it home. Edwards was able to show tonight that he is a great offensive producer thanks to his incredible puck control abilities and his high end strength on the puck. He can shield the puck very easily and uses his ability to endure contact to create time and space with the puck. This allows him to create scoring chances efficiently for himself and his teammates. He moves as one with the puck making him that much more elusive in the offensive zone.
Caden Price (D, L, 6’1″, 192, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 08/24/2005)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Price picked up a nice goal by following the play up the ice and getting a backdoor pass that he was able to basically tap in. Price has a lot of tools that make him one of the better offensive defenseman on the ice night in and night out. He has the size to defend and showed this tonight by being able to stop players in their tracks and pin them along the wall. Offensively he can skate, he does a good job at breaking pucks out of his zone by lugging the puck up the ice. He was at his best tonight when he was moving his feet, looking to create. He can beat more than one player at a time getting up the ice creating odd man advantages.
Trae Johnson (LW, L, 6’0″, 176, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 05/03/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Johnson was able to show tonight that he was a consistent defensive player, with sound positioning skills and adept defensive instincts. He knows where to be and when to be there, and he is one of the better forecheckers. He is capable of anchoring a first penalty killing unit and being a major component of a true shutdown line against the other teams top lines. Tonight he really was not an imposing offensive force, but he brings effort and intelligence that in a playoff run, a team needs.
Brayden Yager (C, R, 5’11”, 171, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 01/03/2005)
Game Rating
A-
Yager brings a strong work ethic and physical presence to the ice, making him a valuable asset in penalty killing situations. He possesses decent passing and puck handling skills, allowing him to adapt to various roles on the team. On the power play, he is a formidable force around the net, creating scoring opportunities through his positioning and shot placement. When given space with the puck, Yager’s accuracy and power make him a threat, particularly from close range.
1 Viewing
Comments: Scored a nice goal with a quick release right in the slot beating the goalie over the shoulder. Yager was able to show on this goal his soft and quick hands and that he can get a shot off under pressure. Despite being undersized, Yager is an offensive wizard, with a creative playmaking mind and elite puck skills. He is also no slouch defensively, and despite not being physical enough to be a shutdown force, he is a legitimate positive in his own end. He does not shoot as much as he probably should, but with his limited scoring opportunities, still found a way to find the back of the net, which is a nod to how little chances he actually needs.