Played on Mar 31, 2026
Game Played in Tundra Oil & Gas Place
General Game Notes: A bit of a low scoring and low energy game that had Calgary out to an early start, scoring the first two goals of the game. Brandon made a push, but the sound defensive game from the Hitmen tonight proved to be too much for Brandon to overcome.
Filip Ruzicka (G, L, 6’6″, 204, Brandon Wheat Kings, 03/24/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Ruzicka’s playing style showcases his agility, allowing him to navigate the crease with ease. His athleticism enables him to make timely cross-crease saves, including a notable stop late in the first period that kept his team ahead. Ruzicka demonstrates quick reflexes when rebounding shots, swiftly reacting and repositioning himself despite his size. He effectively uses his body position to control the puck, employing shoulder checks and direct outlet passes. His ability to remain composed under pressure is evident in his impressive saves throughout the game.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ruzicka played a great game despiet the loss. He lacks higher end quickness and, at times, struggled to track the puck consistently across the ice. His rebound control can also be inconsistent. That said, he does a good job staying square to shooters, using his positioning to take away space and make it difficult to beat him cleanly. When he is locked in, Ruzicka tracks the puck effectively and relies on that structure and positioning to limit opportunities against.
Cameron Allard (D, R, 6’2″, 187, Brandon Wheat Kings, 01/11/2008)
Game Rating
B
Cameron Allard displayed an intriguing combination of skills and playing style during this game. He effectively utilizes both physicality and mobility to control the pace of play. His puck-handling abilities are solid, allowing him to maintain possession in key situations. A notable strength is his point shot, which provides a reliable option from the perimeter. In addition to his technical skills, Allard also demonstrates an aggressive approach when battling for position and clearing out the net front. At his best, he excels at creating loose pucks in tight spaces, enabling his team to initiate swift counter-attacks.
1 Viewing
Comments: Allard was able to show tonight that he is a bigger, rangy defenseman that is solid in all three zones, but more impressivly is his defensive play. There are shift where multiple times a shift, he will knock players off of the puck, break up passes, sacrifice the body to block a shot, and more. He is at his best when his game he focusing on being just an all around solid defender that can cover distances quickly.
Chase Surkan (RW, L, 5’6″, 166, Brandon Wheat Kings, 03/31/2009)
Game Rating
B+
Chase Surkan showcased his strengths on the ice with two goals, including one early in the first period that tied the game. His shot is swift and accurate, particularly when given clean looks at the net from various angles. Surkan’s skating ability and puck possession skills are still developing areas of his game, as he often relies on quick releases to get shots off. Defensively, he excels at being a stick-first player who breaks up plays effectively. While Surkan brings energy and a feisty attitude to his game, there are limitations in terms of physicality and skating ability that hinder his effectiveness on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Surkan was able to show tonight that when you dig deeper into his toolkit, especially his skating, it really does stand out. He can take over shifts in the offensive zone, using his mobility to become a constant problem for defenders. In transition, he is particularly dangerous, able to exploit slower defensemen with pace and separation. He also provides value defensively, where he can be relied upon to track back and keep pucks out of high-danger areas. Not the biggest player on the ice but his speed does a lot to counter that.
Nigel Boehm (D, L, 5’11”, 170, Brandon Wheat Kings, 09/22/2008)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: In a couple shifts tonight, Boehm showed some offensive upside, particularly in the way he supports the rush and keeps plays alive at the blue line. He has a strong feel for the game, consistently reading where the puck is going and positioning himself accordingly. He plays with a scrappy, higher energy style and gives a full effort every shift, bringing a level of competitiveness that makes him noticeable throughout the game.
Jimmy Egan (C, L, 6’2″, 183, Brandon Wheat Kings, 03/19/2008, Arizona State)
Game Rating
B+
Egan’s game is marked by his physical presence and ability to create space, utilizing his size and strength to outmaneuver opponents. He shows potential as a skilled player when given time and space, using his jump to evade defenders. However, he often prioritizes passing over shooting, which can lead to missed opportunities. Egan’s defensive efforts are notable, as he consistently works to be on time and close to the opposition, disrupting their ability to make plays. His skating stride is a key asset, allowing him to quickly reach top speed and cover significant ground. While he struggles with decision-making at times, particularly in contested areas, his overall work ethic and willingness to create loose pucks demonstrate a strong foundation.
1 Viewing
Comments: Egan does a good job at hunting for pucks. His work ethic is at a high each and every shift he has on the ice. When he is at his best, he is first on the forecheck, creating loose pucks and turnovers for his team to come collect. When he plays body first instead of puck, he’s more effective due to how quick he can get on the forecheck with his long strides and quick speed. At times, he is positionally sound but does a little too much of waiting for the puck to come to him.
Luke Mistelbacher (C, R, 6’0″, 196, Brandon Wheat Kings, 11/02/2005)
Game Rating
A-
Mistelbacher’s playing style is characterized by his physical presence, which allows him to effectively screen the net and create space for himself. However, his lack of possession-oriented skills hampers his overall effectiveness. His larger frame makes it difficult for him to maintain possession in tight spaces, as he often gets bumped off the puck by opponents. Despite this limitation, Mistelbacher demonstrates solid defensive awareness, using his size to separate himself and others from the puck. He shows promise in his ability to use his body to protect the net, but struggles to showcase his other skills such as skating, playmaking, and shooting.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mistelbacher scored a nice goal, finding backside pressure and beating his D to the far post. He read the play nicely in the neutral zone and how it would develop with his teammate taking the puck wide, hoping to find a seam play at the net front. Mistelbacher used his speed and somewhat solid size, but more importantly his positioning skills to get an inside edge for an easy tap in. Defensively, he struggles with decision making at times and it can lead to turnovers in his own end.
Eric Tu (G, L, 6’3″, 206, Calgary Hitmen, 10/26/2008)
Game Rating
A-
Eric Tu displayed a solid defensive game, showcasing his ability to stay calm under pressure and make crucial saves. He effectively utilized his positioning to funnel shots towards specific areas of the crease, making it challenging for shooters to find open lanes. Notably, he was able to stop an early penalty shot, helping create momentum for his team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Tu was one of the players of the game tonight, stopping thirty five of thirty six recorded shots. His size is an obvious advantage and works in his favor around the net. While his rebound control can be inconsistent at times, he does a strong job of handling higher danger chances. What stands out most is the dynamic element in his game, he showed he has the ability to make big saves in key moments and steal games for his team.
Andrei Molgachyov (LW, L, 5’10”, 187, Calgary Hitmen, 03/01/2008)
Game Rating
A-
Molgachev’s playing style is characterized by his speed, agility, and ability to create space in small areas of the ice. With quick feet and quick hands, he excels at beating defenders off the dribble and making plays behind the net. His wrist shot is particularly effective, showcasing a strong power and quickness behind his release. While he may struggle when the game becomes physical, Molgachev’s speed and agility allow him to play at a high pace that demands opponents respect their gaps.
1 Viewing
Comments: Molgachev scored a nice goal with one of the more powerful releases on the night tonight. He does not need much time and space to get his shot off. In fact, on his goal, he was able to release the puck from above the tops of the circles, beating the goalie clean high. You can see the flex in his stick when he released the puck, showing the power he was able to put behind it. One of the more impressive parts about his shot is that he’s not the biggest player on the ice, so his strength is super deceptive.
Landon Amrhein (RW, R, 6’5″, 192, Calgary Hitmen, 04/06/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Landon Amrhein’s playing style is characterized by his ability to capitalize on turnovers and create scoring opportunities quickly. He excels at hand-eye coordination, allowing him to release shots from unusual angles. His tall stature allows for a wide perimeter, enabling him to maintain possession of the puck longer than other players. While he may need extra time to reach top speed, Amrhein’s long strides allow him to cover significant ground.
1 Viewing
Comments: Maybe it was the empty net goal that got him on the score sheet tonight, but Amrhein was on the ice during a crucial point of the game, looking to keep a puck out of his own net. The trust that is displayed is shown a lot throughout his entire game and the reliability he has in his own end. He works hard to get the puck back and is not afraid to be physical when it calls. Leads with an active stick but has a feet first mentality, creating pace to his game consistently. Back, combined with his size, makes him a hard player to play against.
Ethan Moore (LW, R, 6’0″, 176, Calgary Hitmen, 02/23/2005, Lake Superior)
Game Rating
B+
Moore is known for his fluid movement on the ice, allowing his line to quickly transition into the offensive zone. His speed and agility enable him to capitalize on fast breaks, often beating defenders to get into position. On offense, Moore exhibits sharp instincts, making quick decisions with the puck and creating space for himself and teammates. He also demonstrates a knack for stick-handling in tight spaces, using this skill to make precise saucer passes to open up opportunities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Moore can be a dual threat in the offensive zone with his solid playmaking and goal scoring abilities, but what surprise the most about him is how strong he is on the puck. A lot of undersized forwards struggle to win puck battles against him and he is able to extend his puck possession time because of it. He was able to show tonight that he is a strong player that can hold his own against bigger players, giving him an edge along the boards and in the middle of the ice.
Keaton Jundt (F, L, 5’11”, 171, Calgary Hitmen, 02/22/2008, North Dakota)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Jundt has pace in his game and his plays in the neutral zone more dynamic than the offensive zone because at times, in the offensive zone, his size can be a limitation and he is not able to gain separation as effectively. In the neutral zone, Jundt can catch opponents napping and turn the puck the other way in a split second. He is typically the setup player once he takes the puck from an opponent in the neutral zone.
Shaun Hildebrandt (LW, L, 5’10”, 178, Calgary Hitmen, 06/15/2009)
Game Rating
B-
Hildebrandt’s speed and agility allowed him to capitalize on a defensive mistake early in the game. As one of the smaller forwards on his team, Hildebrandt’s quickness and decision-making enabled him to pick up on a loose puck before it was cleared.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hildebrandt was able to show tonight that he is a great shooter with solid hockey sense and can find open patches of ice with relative ease. I do find that he can be inconsistent, and his effort level can dip from time to time. ability to truly take over a shift and dominate, but there is enough offensive skill for Hildebrandt to be a nice complementary piece on a skilled line. He is at his best when he is being a gritty player that can create turnovers and be a general pain to play against in the neutral zone.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images