Played on Mar 29, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in Co-Op Place
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed the Game 4 WHL playoff matchup between the Medicine Hat Tigers and Swift Current Broncos on April 02, 2025. The Tigers extended their series lead to 3-1 with a 4-3 OT victory after dominating the vast majority of this game with Hunter St. Martin scoring the eventual game winner.
Harrison Meneghin (G, L, 6’3″, 172, Medicine Hat Tigers, 09/13/2004)
Game Rating
B+
Meneghin presented a solid performance between the pipes, showcasing his ability to remain composed under pressure. He effectively handled net-front threats, tracking pucks well and maintaining a square stance on shooters. His agility allowed him to make quick reactions, deflecting dekes with ease in tight spaces. Meneghin also demonstrated good rebound control, reading outside shots accurately and securing the puck when necessary.
1 Viewing
Comments: Meneghin had a stellar performance, especially when facing odd-man rushes and breakaways—making at least five stops in 1-on-0 situations. He plays well out of his crease to cut down angles and is rarely caught deep in his net. His positioning is excellent, always square to the puck and giving little to shoot at. He sees the puck well through traffic and doesn’t allow many second chances, controlling rebounds or swallowing them cleanly. He was the backbone of the team in this game.
Kadon McCann (LW, L, 6’3″, 200, Medicine Hat Tigers, 03/25/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: A big forward with reach and tenacity, McCann plays a disruptive role. He breaks up breakouts with active sticks and body positioning. He’s got deceptive hands, and while he sometimes lacks finish—like on a weak backhand chance—he consistently puts himself in position to generate offense and push through defenders.
Oasiz Wiesblatt (C, L, 5’7″, 180, Medicine Hat Tigers, 04/08/2004)
Game Rating
B+
The player demonstrated a well-rounded skill set on the ice, showcasing creativity and vision as a playmaker. He consistently delivered accurate tape-to-tape passes through traffic, setting up scoring opportunities for teammates. In the offensive zone, he was shifty and agile, using his speed to create space and make plays through tight lanes. He also displayed awareness by moving off the wall into the slot, creating scoring chances with smart drop passes. On offense, he had a quick release shot that allowed him to score from various positions on the ice. His physical ability was evident in the corners, where he finished a hard check on the defenseman to make a breakout pass.
1 Viewing
Comments: Wiesblatt stands out with his explosive first step, showing a burst of speed down the wing that consistently puts defenders on their heels. His hands are especially impressive when he gets in tight, allowing him to maintain control and make quick moves in traffic. He plays with determination, as shown by a key blocked shot from the high slot—fearless and willing to sacrifice for his team. Offensively, he’s at his best when working from the middle of the ice. He has excellent vision, able to anticipate play and open up space with his skating. He finds open lanes, often drawing defenders and creating room for teammates with his movement.
Mathew Ward (C, L, 5’9″, 170, Medicine Hat Tigers, 01/24/2004, Northern Michigan)
Game Rating
B
This player showcased a well-rounded skill set, consistently making strong defensive plays while contributing to their team’s offense. They displayed excellent instincts, often taking advantage of space on the ice and using their physicality to gain an edge. They excelled at disrupting opponents’ breakouts in the neutral zone, and were also effective in tight spaces on the penalty kill. When creating chances in the offensive zone, they used quick plays to find open teammates and capitalize on scoring opportunities. Their ability to deke around defenders and release shots from various angles made them a threat.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ward brings speed and aggression to the lineup. He beat a defenseman to a loose puck with sheer acceleration and held him off to get a backhand chance on net—despite being pushed, he maintained control. He’s a high-motor player who forechecks hard and isn’t afraid to throw his weight around in the corners. His physical play forces turnovers, and his puck pursuit results in offensive zone time.
Liam Ruck (F, R, 5’11”, 175, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/21/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Ruck plays a responsible two-way game and is improving as his role increases. On the forecheck, he pressures opposing defensemen and takes away the middle with smart stick positioning. He’s effective at getting into lanes and disrupting puck movement. While he’s still developing strength—especially in puck protection situations—he shows good instincts and growing confidence with each shift.
Hunter St.Martin (C, L, 6’1″, 175, Medicine Hat Tigers, 06/13/2005)
Game Rating
B
St. Martin showcases impressive speed and agility on the ice, using it to his advantage in various situations. He is skilled at deking around defenders and making precise passes to teammates. In tight spaces, he demonstrates poise and control, quickly transitioning from his feet to his stick for a smooth forehand-to-backhand move. He also excels at finishing chances, with a strong ability to beat defensemen and get pucks past the goalie. St. Martin battles hard in front of the net, willing to take dirty goals to get the job done. On the penalty kill, he is aggressive in pursuing his man, and his third goal of the night – a one-timer from the slot – showcased his accuracy and power.
1 Viewing
Comments: St. Martin is a heads-up playmaker who executes under pressure. He grabbed a tough bouncing pass and quickly found a teammate cutting to the net for an assist. He uses his body well to shield the puck and maintain possession along the boards. However, he cost his team late in regulation by shooting the puck after the whistle, resulting in a penalty and putting his team on the PK to start OT. He redeemed himself by stepping out of the box and immediately scoring on a breakaway, showing poise and finish with a slick forehand-to-backhand move.
Jonas Woo (D, R, 5’9″, 150, Medicine Hat Tigers, 11/19/2006)
Game Rating
C+
Jonas Woo displayed exceptional skill throughout the game, showcasing his speed and agility in tight spaces. He expertly navigated through corners and along the boards, using his quickness to receive contact and create opportunities for himself or teammates. His ability to position himself for hits allowed him to stand checkers up and control the pace of play. Woo’s accuracy with the puck was also notable, particularly on a fantastic shot that hit the crossbar. With ease, he released the puck from the center of his blade, catching the goalie off guard. Overall, Woo’s impressive skillset made for a strong performance.
1 Viewing
Comments: Woo plays with confidence and control in his own zone, making smart decisions with the puck and showing no panic when under pressure. He’s strong in transition and skates with purpose, flying around the offensive zone to keep defenders on edge and create chaos with his speed.
Ryder Ritchie (LW, R, 6’0″, 180, Medicine Hat Tigers, 08/03/2006)
Game Rating
B
Ryder Ritchie demonstrated his well-rounded skills in this game, showcasing his ability to read the play and make smart decisions. His defensive awareness was on point, as he effectively anticipated an opponent’s move and gained possession of the puck. Offensively, Ritchie was precise and calculated, using his speed and agility to create space and opportunities for himself and his teammates. He displayed a high level of skill and control when making passes and shooting, consistently placing the puck in tight spots.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ritchie brings flair and determination. Offensively, he’s creative with the puck—on one play, he faked a pass from the slot before pulling the puck around the defender for a dangerous shot. On the powerplay, he walked into a feed and wired it top shelf with a quick release. Defensively, he showed outstanding effort with a full-speed backcheck, laying out to block a 2-on-1 pass in a critical moment. He’s the type of player who contributes in all three zones and can make plays at high speed.
Tanner Molendyk (D, L, 6’0″, 187, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/03/2005)
Game Rating
B-
Molendyk showcased his impressive skating ability in this game, effortlessly gliding behind his own net and controlling the pace of the game. As an offensive defenseman, he demonstrated excellent vision and awareness, generating plays through his movement and decision-making. His speed and agility allowed him to keep up with shifty forwards, making it difficult for them to deke around him. Molendyk’s ability to throw his body around in own-zone defense also adds to his overall skillset.
1 Viewing
Comments: Molendyk is a confident puck mover with strong skating ability. He accelerates through the neutral zone and isn’t afraid to cut to the middle to create offense. From the point, he gets pucks through traffic with good timing, avoiding blocks and creating second-chance opportunities. He uses chip-and-chase plays to get behind defenders and keep his team on the attack.
Bryce Pickford (D, R, 6’0″, 170, Medicine Hat Tigers, 04/02/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Bryce Pickford is a skilled defensive forward who excels at controlling the pace of play with his solid gap defense and effective stick handling. He’s adept at positioning himself to intercept passes or redirect them away from opponents, often forcing them into uncomfortable angles. When facing speedy skaters, he remains composed, only providing outside options that allow him to stay in front of their skates. Pickford is also a savvy playmaker, able to distribute the puck effectively along the boards and on longer stretches to set up his teammates for scoring chances. His aggressive mentality allows him to capitalize on rebound opportunities, as seen in his goal this game where he jumped on a big rebound and scored with a hard wrist shot from the top of the circle.
1 Viewing
Comments: Pickford has excellent poise with the puck, especially on the powerplay where he shows patience under pressure, threading passes through tight gaps. His puck movement is crisp, often working give-and-go sequences with his D partner to reset and find lanes. He walks the blue line well, with deceptive footwork to get around forwards before taking the puck to the net, where he showed touch with a backhand in close. Defensively, he uses his skating and gap control to match up against quick forwards, forcing plays to the outside and using his body to pin attackers along the boards.
Gavin McKenna (LW, L, 5’11”, 163, Medicine Hat Tigers, 12/20/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Gavin McKenna is a highly skilled forward who excels in creating scoring opportunities through his exceptional vision and pass-making abilities. He has the confidence to weave through defenders with ease, using his speed and agility to create openings on the ice. When faced with pressure, McKenna remains calm and composed, utilizing his stick control to maintain possession. His ability to quickly change direction and speed allows him to evade defenders, making him a formidable opponent in tight spaces. Additionally, McKenna’s strength and physicality enable him to win puck battles against larger opponents, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that makes him a valuable asset on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: An elite playmaker who seems to always be one step ahead of the game. His vision is outstanding—he anticipates where the puck is going and gets there first, often intercepting passes and quickly transitioning play. One sequence began with a defensive zone pickoff, which turned into a lightning-quick breakout. In the offensive zone, he’s calm and creative: from picking up pucks in the corner and curling around the top of the circle to firing a quick shot for a goal, or feeding the slot from behind the net with perfect touch. On a rush chance, he showed next-level hockey IQ by stopping up in the neutral zone to create separation before sending a cross-ice pass to a streaking forward. Later, he finished a 3-on-2 by facing the play and hammering home a one-timer with lightning-fast release. He controls the pace of play and is a constant threat with the puck.
Joey Rocha (G, 6’2″, 179, Swift Current Broncos, 01/22/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Joey Rocha showcased his exceptional hockey skills, making impressive saves throughout the game. His agility and quick reflexes allowed him to stretch out and make one-timer saves with ease. He was well-positioned in front of the net, consistently clearing shots from all angles, including those from outside the crease. Rocha demonstrated his ability to follow the puck through traffic and made crucial point-blank saves on players alone in the slot. Despite facing intense pressure, he remained calm and composed, never panicking under duress. However, there is room for improvement in keeping himself safe within the net and avoiding overextension when rebound opportunities are scarce.
1 Viewing
Comments: Rocha stood tall in a high-pressure game, making multiple desperation saves and tracking the puck well through traffic. His recovery ability is excellent—he flies across the crease to make second and third saves. He holds his posts tight and denies jam plays at the short side. Even when his team was hemmed in, Rocha battled to keep them in it with big saves and composure under fire.
Hunter Mayo (D, R, 6’1″, 199, Swift Current Broncos, 05/07/2004, Merrimack)
Game Rating
B
Hunter Mayo demonstrated a strong understanding of the defensive position, using quick movements and awareness to control the blue line. He effectively used his agility to evade blocks and maintain possession of the puck in tight spaces. On offense, Mayo consistently made intelligent decisions, intercepting stretch passes and quickly transitioning the ball back into the attacking zone. His ability to stick with puck carriers, both on offense and defense, allowed him to limit opportunities for opponents. While there are areas for improvement, such as 1-on-1 defensive situations, Mayo’s overall game is characterized by his smart decision-making and reliable playmaking. With refinement in his stride, he may unlock additional offensive potential, particularly when rushing out of his own zone.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mayo is a physical and composed defender with a booming shot. He scored on a powerplay when his heavy one-timer got tipped in. Defensively, he’s strong on the boards, delivering hard checks and tying up attackers. He has a hard slapshot from the point and shows power and balance in puck protection, dropping his shoulder to skate past defenders.
Peyton Kettles (D, R, 6’5″, 190, Swift Current Broncos, 09/01/2007)
Game Rating
B
Peyton Kettles showcases a versatile skill set as an offensive defenseman. He has the potential to contribute in both physical play and space creation at the blue line. In his games, he demonstrates ability to find shooting lanes and play on the blue line effectively. However, there are areas for improvement, such as gap control during rushes. Kettles’ growth is evident as he adjusts his game to different situations, including stepping into a net-front role on the powerplay. His effort is rewarded with goal-scoring opportunities, showcasing his ability to capitalize on chances. With consistent play and increased playing time, Kettles is poised for development and could become a notable player in his draft year.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kettles played a hard-nosed defensive game. He made a critical clear after a puck battle on the PK and was physical around his net, tying up sticks and preventing tips or rebounds. He delivered a big hit behind his own net and showed awareness at the blue line by waiting for lanes before shooting.
Connor Dale (C, L, 6’2″, 186, Swift Current Broncos, 01/29/2005)
Game Rating
A-
Connor Dale showcased his skillset with his high-energy play, using his strength to initiate rushes and quickness to evade defenders. He demonstrated creativity in his decision-making, making clever passes and exploiting defensive weaknesses. In transition, he excelled at maintaining possession and making strong plays to exit his zone. Dale’s speed allowed him to create scoring chances, often beating defenders down the wing with his agility. He also showcased his shot-making skills, using his backhand to generate scoring opportunities. On one notable play, he displayed a particularly crafty move, banking the puck off the wall and spinning around a defender to create an odd-man chance.
1 Viewing
Comments: Dale was Swift Current’s most dynamic forward in this game. He created several scoring chances, including a shorthanded breakaway where he cut inside but was denied. He showed tremendous strength on the outside, maintaining possession against pressure. His acceleration once he gets the puck is top-tier, and his start-stop ability and edgework down low allow him to escape checks and create from behind the net. He almost won the game late by splitting the D and getting a shot off from the top of the crease. Even in a tough game for his team, Dale was a major difference-maker.
Carlin Dezainde (C, L, 5’11”, 174, Swift Current Broncos, 12/29/2004, Connecticut)
Game Rating
B
Carlin Dezainde displayed strong skills on the ice, particularly with his passing and offensive awareness. He was able to set up a teammate for a scoring opportunity during a 3-on-2 rush. His agility allowed him to quickly change direction and evade defenders, making him difficult to catch off guard. He demonstrated quick hands and feet, using these assets to create space and get into position to shoot.
1 Viewing
Comments: Dezainde was a noticeable threat all game, especially with his speed in transition. He scored on a 2-on-1 by electing to shoot and beating the goaltender cleanly. He had another breakaway chance later in the game, showing his quick burst and ability to get behind defenders. On the penalty kill, he worked hard to close time and space, smothering puck carriers and clearing the zone. His intensity boiled over when he took an undisciplined penalty after a scrum, but overall he brought high energy.
Marek Rocak (D, R, 5’11”, 182, Swift Current Broncos, 05/31/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Rocak was steady and responsible in his own end. His biggest moment came on the penalty kill, where he saved a goal by blocking a shot right in front of the net with the goalie out of position. He sticks close to his assignments in 1-on-1 situations and uses his stick effectively to deflect shots and passes.