Played on Jan 3, 2026
Game Played in Brandt Centre
General Game Notes: A lot of the scoring tonight came on special teams, with three goals scored on the power play and two empty net goals late in the game. While the final score suggests a more decisive result, the game was far closer than it appears. It remained a one goal game with just over two minutes remaining before the Raiders added back to back empty netters to seal the win.
Steele Bass (G, L, 6’1″, 162, Battlefords North Stars, 01/04/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Bass shut the door and was a huge reason as to why his team was able to get the win. After stopping multiple breakaway attempts, Bass was able to settle in and make himself big being a great stopper with first shots. He allowed more second chances than he probably wanted to but his athletics allowed him to recover. Bass does a good job at challenging shooters, stepping out of his crease to cut the angles, then sinks back in if the shooter takes his space.
Daxon Rudolph (D, R, 6’2″, 206, Prince Albert Raiders, 03/06/2008)
Game Rating
A
Daxon Rudolph showcased a strong two-way defensive presence tonight, but also highlighted his offensive capabilities. His speed and agility allowed him to effectively move laterally across the blue line, setting up scoring opportunities. A notable play featured him dragging the puck halfway across the ice, using this momentum to generate shot opportunity from the other side of the rink. Rudolph’s size gives him an advantage in both defensive and offensive situations, enabling him to match up with various opponents effectively.
1 Viewing
Comments: Rudolph is one of the more impressive players on the ice. He can act as a surprise element when he steps up aggressively on would be attackers. At even strength, he helps drive play from the back end with his clever passing ability. He can be an intense, physical defender who generally positions himself well, recognizes developing threats, and uses his stick effectively to take away lanes. While his game relies more on instinct than calculated decision making, he can occasionally be sloppy with stick placement, gap control, and puck decisions. That said, he has a strong tool set and consistently works to correct his mistakes.
Brock Cripps (D, R, 5’11”, 161, Prince Albert Raiders, 07/23/2009)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Cripps is a mobile defender who possesses a big frame and plays with notable power. He is comfortable using his skating and awareness to evade forecheck pressure and maintain possession. At the blue line, he shows strong mobility and the puck skill needed to manipulate defenders and create space. Rather than firing lower percentage shots into traffic, he consistently finds teammates down low or chips the puck below the goal line to sustain offensive zone possession.
Max Heise (RW, R, 6’3″, 176, Prince Albert Raiders, 02/26/2006, Michigan State)
Game Rating
A-
Max Heise is a skilled player who excels at creating scoring opportunities through his determination and creative playmaking. He possesses excellent range and mobility offensively, allowing him to control the pace of play and pressure opponents relentlessly. Heise’s ability to retain possession and deliver accurate passes makes him a valuable distributor on his team. On defense, he leverages his size and reach to effectively break up loose pucks and protect his net. His aggressive playing style and quick recoverability make him a formidable opponent who can shut down opposing threats with ease.
1 Viewing
Comments: Heise picked up his teams third tallys literally being in the right spot at the right time. On the power play, he acted a high tip and redirected the puck into the back of the net from the high slot. Heise is a tall lanky player with the reach that allows him to extend possession. He does a good job at warding off opponents and finding dead space in the offensive zone. He makes it hard for smaller players to get a stick on a puck and for bigger players to catch him due to his finesse. A huge reason as to why he has seventeen goals on the year this year is his ability to take up more ground than anyone else.
Brayden Dube (RW, R, 5’10”, 176, Prince Albert Raiders, 09/22/2005, Bemidji State)
Game Rating
A
Brayden Dube showcased his skillset as a winger, demonstrating creativity and puck control off the rush. He has a variety of moves at his disposal, allowing him to make plays in tight spaces. Dube’s size and strength enable him to win battles and create scoring chances through his accurate shot. However, he can be prone to losing positioning on defense, often getting caught out of position or struggling to keep his head on a swivel. This aspect of his game could use improvement to make him a more well-rounded two-way player. Despite this, Dube’s passing instincts and distribution skills are notable strengths, making him an asset in front of the net.
1 Viewing
Comments: Dube opened the scoring with an impressive goal where he burst for a lose puck from his own zone. He beat out a player stick lengths ahead of him showing off his stride and speed to set himself in alone on a breakaway. He snapped one quick past the goaltender showing a release that clearly took him by surprise. The read this goal needed to be in a good position to even have a chance at the loose puck showed that understands the positioning he was in. This was his only goal he scored with a goalie in the net but was able to add two others to complete the hat trick.
Maddix McCagherty (LW, L, 6’1″, 174, Prince Albert Raiders, 06/07/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: McCagherty works pucks off the boards, drives the middle of the ice, and consistently finds his way to the net. A fluid skater in open ice, he actually showed quicker starts and improved acceleration as the game went on. A larger forward with a sturdy frame, he uses his long reach effectively at both ends of the ice. When he gains a step off the rush, he becomes extremely difficult to defend on his way to the crease, which is where he was at his best tonight.
Brandon Gorzynski (C, L, 6’2″, 187, Prince Albert Raiders, 03/12/2007, Arizona State)
Game Rating
A-
Brandon Gorzynski showcased his impressive skills as a physical and intelligent forward. His strong defensive instincts and active stick make him a valuable asset in his own end, where he consistently demonstrates awareness to be in the right place at the right time. On offense, Gorzynski is a natural puck mover with solid vision and a good skating stride, allowing him to contribute both ways. He excels as a two-way threat, using his size and agility to stabilize play and quickly transition up ice. While his offensive ceiling may be limited, Gorzynski’s playmaking skills are underrated, with a smart approach that allows him to be a decent contributor without taking on tough defensive assignments against top lines. His goal-scoring ability is a notable asset, and he has the versatility to adapt to different situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gorzynski scored a nice goal tonight using his size, and getting to the near post where he was able to tuck the puck under the bar in tight. It was one of the more impressive goals of the year and given his size, it was impressive how quickly it happened. One of the better parts of Gorzynskis game is that he has a unique combination of hands, size, and mobility, and this goal was perfect example of that. The way he is able to get to the net, around an opponent, all at a pace that even smaller forwards have trouble keeping up with. He needs to work on the back end part of his game, too many turnovers that back checking was not a repercussion.
Reese Hamilton (D, L, 6’0″, 178, Regina Pats, 03/26/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Hamilton was able to show that he is solid in his own zone and brings a consistent physical presence, not laying guys out but provides constant pressure. For a bigger player, his puck play is equally impressive, showcasing excellent hands both when pulling pucks laterally and protecting them wide on the blue line, often with one hand on his stick. He does not shy away from contact or battles in traffic. A strong skater, he is quick out of the blocks and moves the puck efficiently in transition through the neutral zone.
Ruslan Karimov (LW, L, 6’0″, 201, Regina Pats, 04/27/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Karimov scored a big goal on the power play just winning his net front battle and getting a stick on a rebounded puck before his opponent was able to swat it away. Karimov is not the biggest player on the ice but has the lower body strength to box out bigger players and his goal was great example of this. He gets low in his skating and has the ability to keep pace while also ward off opponents looking to play body on him. He is a skilled hockey player who has no problem stick handling in small area spaces, and actually might prefer it because he likes to attack the open space that it creates.
Cohen Klassen (RW, L, 6’0″, 177, Regina Pats, 09/08/2008)
Game Rating
B-
Cohen Klassen displayed a well-rounded skill set in his game, showcasing his ability to create scoring opportunities from various angles. His confidence with the puck was evident as he effortlessly beat defenders and found openings to release shots on goal. While not the tallest player on the ice, Klassen demonstrated an ability to play bigger than his physical presence would suggest when he sees a scoring chance. He excels at reading the game, using his head-up approach to anticipate plays and make smart decisions. With his strong stride and vision, Klassen proved himself to be a capable scorer.
1 Viewing
Comments: Klassen was able to show that he thrives on creating havoc whenever possible, overwhelming opponents with both his physicality and his shot. He effectively uses his size to win battles along the boards and drive the net. His game is built around separating players from the puck and making quick, decisive plays off the boards to maintain offensive pressure.
Ephram McNutt (D, R, 6’0″, 183, Regina Pats, 05/04/2005, Bentley)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Mcnutt showed that he can generate offense in transition and at the blue line through his skating and creativity. While he has decent length, he is not overly physical and profiles as an average defender, with his smaller stature leading him to rely more on his stick than on physical engagement. That said, he owns a very effective stick in the defensive zone, closing quickly with excellent footwork and making smart, efficient decisions. In the neutral zone, he disrupts play by stepping up quickly, and in the offensive zone, he uses his mobility and passing ability to consistently produce positive results with the puck.
Zachary Lansard (C, R, 6’0″, 177, Regina Pats, 07/29/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Lansard picked up a nice goal off a lucky rebound that bounced right on his tape. As he followed up the play, his teammate let a shot go that was blocked and Lansard was able to one time it into the back of the empty net. Of course a little bit of an easy goal but Lansard shows great offensive instincts by being in the position that he was in, in the first place. Where Lansard was at his best was when he was able to show his creativity with time and space. When time and space was given to him, he showed his speed and ability to find passes on the other side of the ice. When he had to create his own, he was shut down more times than not tonight.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images