Played on Apr 15, 2026
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The hometown Kelowna Rockets staved off elimination by scoring three straight goals in the third period over a 12 minute span, with the tying goal coming with 7.7 seconds remaining…then scored just over two minutes into overtime for a thrilling 4-3 come from behind victory over the Everett Silvertips. The difference in this game was Rockets goaltender Josh Banini, who came on in relief with his team down 3-0. He closed the door for 44 minutes of regulation time making 29 saves, many of the spectacular variety early on. Rockets goals came from Tij Iginla with two, including the game winner, while Hiroki Gojsic and Shane Smith on the power-play added singles. The Silvertips goals came off the sticks of Julius Miettinen, Matias Vanhanen and Brek Liske.
Luke Vlooswyk (D, R, 6’5″, 201, Everett Silvertips, 01/09/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Vlooswyk is a big, right-shot defenseman who played 16+ minutes and was a reliable five on five and penalty-kill option for the Silvertips, showing consistent defensive instincts and strong down-low coverage thanks to sound body positioning and a long wingspan; those traits underpin an approximate 60% battle-success rate this season. He profiles as a dependable puck handler and puck mover-preferencing quick, safe exits and outlet passes over skating with it and transporting-and he reads retrievals well, executing partner reverses effectively. While his overall skill set is solid and he defends the attack well in tight spaces, his skating mechanics lack polish and should be prioritized in development to improve mobility and transition play. Overall he projects as a stay-at-home, puck-moving blueliner who can temper the opposition and occasionally add a supporting layer in the offensive game.
Rylan Gould (C, L, 5’10”, 183, Everett Silvertips, 08/05/2005, Michigan Tech)
Game Rating
B
Gould is a dynamic forward who brings a strong work ethic to the ice. He excels at creating chaos in front of the net, using his speed and agility to outmaneuver opponents. His ability to drive play through the neutral zone is a significant asset for his team. While he shows flashes of brilliance on offense, there are areas where he needs to improve, such as finishing checks and managing puck possession in his own zone.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gould is a hardworking two-way player who provides very effective minutes for the Silvertips; he reads the game well both on the forecheck and in defensive-zone coverage and…routinely receiving passes from his defensemen-corralling pucks along the walls and turning them into breakout plays. He brings a gritty, physical edge to his game, competes consistently, and isn’t afraid to push back in traffic or scrums. Gould’s puck skills and decision-making make him a reliable contributor on both the power play-where he can move the puck and create chances-and the penalty kill, where his high hockey IQ stands out. While his skating mechanics could use refinement, his overall polish, game sense, and patient play with the puck allow him to impact the game positively at both ends of the ice.
Julius Miettinen (C, L, 6’3″, 217, Everett Silvertips, 01/20/2006)
Game Rating
A-
Miettinen is a skilled player with strong physical attributes and a solid skating ability. He brings a hard-nosed approach to the game, often using his size and strength to overpower opponents. On the penalty kill, he excels at applying pressure and disrupting the opposing team’s power play, showing excellent angles and vision. He also contributes positively on the second power-play unit, displaying playmaking skills and the ability to set up scoring opportunities for teammates. Overall, Miettinen appears well-rounded as a two-way pivot who can handle heavy minutes and drive special teams success.
1 Viewing
Comments: Miettinen is a very dependable, competitive/gritty heavy-minute (24 in this game) two-way forward for the Silvertips who drives play with excellent skating and smooth puck-handling; his top-end speed and quickness allow him to pressure and create offensively challenging defensemen off the rush and consistently work his way to the middle. He’s defensively reliable-strong on puck battles, diligent in the defensive zone and committed to hard backchecks through the neutral zone-and in this game he won just above 60% of draws, slightly above his season average. In tight spaces he shows a sneaky ability to maneuver and get to the net, was very effective defensively disrupting the Rockets top unit with his compete and positioning, and provides a skilled late option on the power-play breakout, making him a threat to create without sacrificing his defensive duties.
Mattias Uyeda (D, L, 5’10”, 177, Everett Silvertips, 08/18/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Uyeda (5’10’) is a dependable, stocky left-side defenseman who eats quality minutes for the Silvertips with a high hockey IQ and sound decision-making. He excels at making the simple play-clean outlets, strong hinges for his partner, and reliable reads in the defensive zone-while his very good skating and mobility let him stay tight in the neutral zone and play effectively down low. Despite his size he plays with physicality…often surprising opponents in contact, wins puck battles, resists being knocked off the puck, and competes hard in contact. He logged 17+ minutes in this game, was a steady presence on the penalty kill-willing to block shots and sacrifice his body-and projects as a reliable, defensive-first option who can stabilize the backend.
Matias Vanhanen (RW, L, 5’11”, 176, Everett Silvertips, 09/11/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Matias Vanhanen is a skilled right wing with a high hockey IQ, showcasing his ability to make plays in tight spaces. He excels at finding open teammates through excellent vision and stick work, often threading pucks through seams with precision. His skating skills are solid, providing top-end speed and quickness that allows him to navigate the ice effectively. Vanhanen’s cerebral game also translates well into power play and penalty kill situations. He has a quick release on his shots and can effectively walk the line on rotations. In tight spaces, he uses his hands and vision to make plays from stationary positions or while moving. His ability to compete hard, win puck battles, and block shots makes him a reliable contributor at both ends of the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Vanhanen is a reliable high-end minute forward for the Silvertips who impacts the game at both ends; offensively he’s a constant catalyst-dangerous with the puck, an elite distributor with excellent vision (notably a high-end backhand feed to Bear that led to a rebound goal), and a legitimate scoring threat himself, one occasion driving hard through traffic to convert a tap-in off Dupont’s perfect cross-ice feed. He consistently manages the puck with his head up, makes quick, accurate passes when openings appear, and shows no hesitation attacking the net. Defensively he’s equally committed: sound stop-start technique, a strong stick, elite takeaway ability (he recorded 10 takeaways in this game), and reliable positioning. He also provides value on both the team’s top power play and penalty killing units, making him a very well-rounded, high-impact forward.
Shea Busch (LW, L, 6’2″, 218, Everett Silvertips, 06/12/2007, Penn State)
Game Rating
B+
Busch demonstrated a strong physical presence on the ice, showcasing his ability to engage opponents and drive hard to the net. His hands and puck skills were evident as he protected the puck along the boards and created scoring opportunities. He showed sound positioning in both the offensive and defensive zones, highlighting his two-way game. Busch’s skating mechanics require refinement to enhance his overall effectiveness, but his speed and agility are notable assets. He possesses a good sense of vision, making quick plays that contribute to his team’s flow. While he has moments of brilliance, there are also inconsistencies in his performance.
1 Viewing
Comments: Busch is a heavy, power-forward prospect who logged a season-high 20 minutes and was very effective with a gritty, hard-nosed style; his skating is good with excellent top-end speed and once he’s moving he’s difficult to contain thanks to his blend of speed, strength and skill. He could sharpen his initial quickness off the mark, but makes up for it with strong puck skills, a heavy, authoritative shot (notably as a one-timer on the flank on the top power play), and reliable play on puck retrievals-his battle win rate has improved after a long layoff. Consistently physical, willing to go to the net, and dangerous when he senses he can get a step on a defender, he also shows competent vision and passing…received a pass from his defensemen on the defensive zone wall then fired a quick stretch pass on the tape, and does the necessary work on the backcheck; he projects as a legitimate power-forward option at the next level.
Keith McInnis (D, L, 6’1″, 197, Kelowna Rockets, 01/08/2006, Minnesota Duluth)
Game Rating
B+
McInnis is a reliable two-way defenseman who consistently plays a composed game for the Rockets. He excels in both his defensive and offensive responsibilities, using excellent mobility and puck skills to create space on the ice. McInnis is a skilled skater with top-tier speed and agility, allowing him to transition seamlessly between offense and defense. He reads plays well, finds teammates effectively, and delivers hard, flat passes that make him a valuable asset on the power play. McInnis’s physical edge and bite add an extra layer of effectiveness to his defensive coverage, while his strong hands and vision enable him to create plays offensively. He consistently makes smart decisions under pressure and rarely panics in high-stakes situations. Overall, McInnis is a dependable top-four defenseman who brings a well-rounded skill set to the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: McInnis is a steady, reliable left side defender for the Rockets who prioritizes defending first and moving the puck quickly out of danger; his excellent skating and mobility allow him to recover pucks, execute clean retrievals (thanks to strong shoulder checks and awareness of teammates) and make consistent, smart outlet plays. He profiles as a dependable five-on-five defender who can eat significant minutes, kill penalties at a high level and provide a physical bite, while also contributing effectively on the second power-play unit with a very good, heavy wrist shot – one area for improvement is getting that shot away a touch quicker under pressure. Overall, McInnis is a solid, two-way blueliner who stabilizes the back end.
Shane Smith (C, L, 6’1″, 202, Kelowna Rockets, 01/14/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Shane Smith is a well-rounded forward with a strong offensive skill set, excelling in various aspects of his game. He possesses good puck skills, allowing him to create opportunities through his shot-first mentality and excellent wrist shot. A skilled skater with above-average top-end speed, he’s effective on the rush and can create for teammates. Defensively, Smith needs to commit more to playing a stop-and-start manner, but his vision and playmaking abilities are consistently on display. He competes physically, engaging in forechecks, finishing checks, and delivering intensity in board battles. Overall, Smith brings a dependable two-way presence to the team, excelling on both power play and penalty kill units. His versatility allows him to play wing or centre, and his heavy shot makes him a consistent threat on offense. With further development of his defensive mindset, he could become an elite two-way center.
1 Viewing
Comments: Smith logged 25+ minutes, top-three with the Rockets forwards in this game, serving on the top power play and top penalty kill; he’s a very effective, well-rounded contributor for the Rockets who brings speed (above average, not elite) to drive the attack and consistently works to get into shooting areas to unleash a heavy, accurate wrist shot, especially so heading downhill on the strongside flank on the power-play. He competes hard on the forecheck and has won just over half of his puck battles on the season, bringing a gritty, competitive edge that makes him a constant offensive threat with his loose puck diligence. Areas to clean up: his draw percentage in this game was poor (~30% versus a ~50% season average), and he showed occasional lapses in defensive urgency and in maintaining ideal body and stick positioning in his own zone. Overall, a high-usage, multi-role forward with valuable special-teams impact and room to improve defensive details and faceoffs.
Hayden Paupanekis (C, R, 6’5″, 206, Kelowna Rockets, 02/04/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Paupanekis is a physically imposing and fast centre who brings a rare blend of size, physicality, and finesse to the ice. He is a compete-first forward who battles hard through traffic and pressure on the forecheck, using his strong top-end speed to win board battles and create space. His hands are deceptively strong, with reliable puck control and a capable shot. While Paupanekis’s skills are promising, there are areas for improvement. He needs to refine his technique in board work and leverage, as well as sustain his effort more consistently. Refining his skating mechanics would also go a long way in maximizing his explosiveness and agility. On the defensive side, he benefits from favouring reach, body positioning, and gap management over hunting the big hit down low. Despite these areas for growth, Paupanekis projects as a hard-playing, multidimensional centre who drives play with pace and competitiveness. His size, skill combination, and work ethic make him a valuable asset, and with further development, he has the potential to become a well-rounded player at the next level.
1 Viewing
Comments: Paupanekis plays with a relentless, in-your-face style every shift…gritty, competitive, and consistently physicality-making him a real pest for opponents; his forecheck is effective as he stays glued to defensemen from initial contact and has good success on puck battles (about a 50% success rate this season). Complementing his tenacity are sneaky, high-end puck skills and good skating that, while mechanically refineable, allow him to create off the attack and generate scoring chances; he possesses a very good shot but it could be quicker and he should use it more often. He’s a strong net-front presence who thrives in scrums, contributes on the second power-play unit, fills a penalty-killing role, and overall offers a dependable, hard-nosed two-way game with the upside to chip in offensively.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images