Played on Jan 17, 2026
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: It took a beautiful breakaway finish in overtime by Carson Carels to seal a hard fought 3-2 victory for the visiting Prince George Cougars over the Kelowna Rockets. This game was able to remain close on the scoreboard due to the outstanding goaltending by Harrison Boettiger in the Rockets net, stopping 21 first period shots and 46 overall in the game. The Rockets scored twice on the power-play on goals by Ty Halaburda and Tij Iginla, while the Cougars goals came from Terik Parascak and Riley Ashe.
Harrison Boettiger (G, L, 6’2″, 189, Kelowna Rockets, 12/11/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Boettiger showcased strong positioning and quick movements around the crease, allowing him to make several key saves on high-difficulty chances. He demonstrated excellent technique, staying square and recovering quickly to be ready for the next shot. His ability to battle for loose pucks and challenge shooters at the top of the paint was impressive. While he made a few mistakes, such as being too deep on a two-on-one, he generally looked composed and reliable in net.
1 Viewing
Comments: Boettiger delivered a composed, game-stealing performance, keeping his team in the game with steady, technically sound goaltending; he stopped 21 shots in the first period alone – many high-difficulty – by tracking the puck through traffic and relying on excellent positioning rather than frantic movement. He made several momentum changing saves: a key cross-ice stop and a clutch denial on a semi-breakaway late in the first, multiple high-quality saves on a five-on-three sequence (including a sharp positional save on a behind-the-net feed to a one-timer netfront), and two outstanding saves on quality Cougar scorers in the third. His rebound control, situational awareness and calm under pressure were the hallmarks of a performance that consistently frustrated the opposition and kept his team competitive, and in the end making 46 saves, unfortunately losing in overtime on a breakaway goal.
Shane Smith (C, L, 6’1″, 202, Kelowna Rockets, 01/14/2005)
Game Rating
B
Shane Smith is a well-rounded forward with a reliable skill set that makes him an asset to his team. His skating ability allows him to generate offense quickly, with solid top speed and acceleration. He also possesses excellent puck skills and a heavy release, making him a threat from various angles. In the defensive zone, Smith demonstrates good positioning and awareness, allowing him to be a dependable two-way option. As a center, Smith’s physicality and competitiveness give him an edge in puck battles and on the forecheck. His hands are strong, enabling him to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities. He is a dual threat, capable of making plays with passes or shooting from distance. Overall, Smith projects as a solid contributor who can drive play and contribute offensively, while also handling heavy minutes.
1 Viewing
Comments: Smith brings a dependable, two-way presence to the Rockets’ forward corps, excelling on both the power play and the top penalty-killing unit; a versatile forward who can play wing or centre, he skates well (though not elite) with above-average top-end speed, mixes physicality and pushback with willingness to engage in traffic and deliver heavy, game-changing hits, and possesses a heavy shot that makes him a consistent offensive threat (25 goals, 52 points in 47 games). In this overtime contest he logged nearly 26 minutes — second among forwards — and proved his reliability on special teams and on draws, winning just over 50% of his faceoffs. Overall, Smith offers a sound, high-impact all-around game that boosts the Rockets’ depth, penalty kill, and scoring punch.
Nate Corbet (D, L, 6’2″, 188, Kelowna Rockets, 03/15/2006)
Game Rating
B
Corbet is a reliable and energetic defenseman who consistently delivers a strong performance on the blue line. He excels at moving station-to-station, taking away time and space from opponents while maintaining quick recovery times. His deceptive puck skills and playmaking ability make him a valuable asset in transition, and he also provides a solid physical element to his game. Corbet’s decision-making with the puck is composed and confident, allowing him to hold onto the puck longer and initiate or join the rush. He displays excellent poise when attacking the blue line, using quickness and acceleration to create scoring chances for himself and teammates.
1 Viewing
Comments: Corbet is a high-energy, role-focused defenceman who consistently does the dirty work that fuels the Rockets; he responds for teammates…early in this game a younger Rocket’s player was challenged, he stepped in the next shift dropping the gloves to stand up for him. He brings the same effort and energy every shift, and from the bench where he is first to tap the stick on the boards and lead support. He plays with a physical edge in all zones-especially in front of his net. While not the smoothest skater, he shows good top-end speed and quickness, can transport the puck out of trouble when needed, and makes reliable outlet passes to jumpstart transitions. His puck skills and playmaking are solid, he’s an effective penalty killer, willing to block shots, and overall provides a gritty, dependable contribution that often goes unheralded but is vital to the team’s structure.
Rowan Guest (D, L, 6’4″, 212, Kelowna Rockets, 01/31/2006)
Game Rating
B
Rowan Guest is a reliable five-on-five presence for the Rockets, playing with increased confidence and poise on the ice. He excels at making effective outlet passes from the defensive zone and can occasionally make plays in the offensive zone. In the defensive zone, he plays physical and pushes back in net front scrums. Guest is an average skater who benefits from focused work on skating mechanics to improve quickness, mobility, and gap control. On the ice, he moves efficiently, recovers pucks quickly, and makes competent first passes. His puck skills are reliable, and his physical play helps him manage traffic and close gaps.
1 Viewing
Comments: Guest is a 6’4′ defensive defenseman who eats quality minutes five-on-five and on the penalty kill for the Rockets; in this outing he logged just over 17 minutes (slightly down from his season average), skating top-four minutes. He isn’t flashy but moves around the ice effectively with decent overall skating, shows the confidence to stay up in the neutral zone and is reliable down low-using his size and wingspan to clog lanes and win board battles. He is capable, and willing to carry the puck out of trouble when needed (not his primary strength), possesses adequate puck skills and is an effective, composed puck-mover who can make the little plays under pressure. He can play a physical game that is occasionally evident but, consistently steps into pushback and scrum situations to protect his crease.
Bauer Dumanski (D, L, 6’0″, 197, Prince George Cougars, 01/05/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Bauer Dumanski demonstrates steady defensive prowess, consistently executing simple plays with regularity. His exceptional puck-handling abilities enable him to scan the ice effectively, facilitating his ability to make informed decisions on the fly. Additionally, his agile skating allows him to cover a significant amount of ground across all zones, making him an asset in both transition and even-strength situations. These skills have earned him a spot on the top PP1 unit, where he can utilize his strengths to contribute meaningfully to the team’s offense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Dumanski is a left-shot, 6-foot defenseman who plays larger than his size—steady, reliable and physical on the back end for the Cougars. In this overtime game he logged nearly 24 minutes, including meaningful shifts in three-on-three overtime, underscoring his skating and trust from coaches; he shows good acceleration to exit danger and a smooth top-end stride. He competes hard along the walls, winning over 60% of his one-on-one battles in this game (55% on the season), and brings that same work ethic to special teams—quarterbacking the second power play with puck-transport and join-the-attack instincts while also killing penalties very effectively on the top unit. Overall he’s a dependable, hard-nosed two-way defender who can move the puck under pressure and contribute offensively without sacrificing his defensive responsibilities.
Carson Carels (D, L, 6’2″, 197, Prince George Cougars, 06/23/2008)
Game Rating
A
Carels is a versatile defenseman who consistently makes impactful plays on the ice, showcasing a high game IQ and composure under pressure. He excels at puck-movement, making timely passes and reads in both defensive and offensive situations. Carels’ skating ability is strong, with good edges and top-end speed, allowing him to cover a lot of ground on the ice. His physical presence is also notable, as he can hold his own in net-front battles and finishes checks with authority.
1 Viewing
Comments: This was the best 200 foot performance by a defenceman witnessed so far this is season. Carels is a high-impact two-way defenseman who plays the game not only at the highest level, but the right way at both ends of the ice: composed with the puck, has bite and is physical without being reckless, and consistently dangerous offensively. He defends with excellent gap control and mobility, stays strong on his feet through contact, wins the majority of board and net-front battles (about 70% in this game, ~60% season), and uses anticipation to disrupt plays in the neutral zone. On one play, he intercepted a puck in the Neutral Zone, quickly attacked and beat the defenceman outside for a great opportunity. On retrievals he pre-scans, absorbs contact when needed, and reliably makes the clean breakout plays; his puck skills and excellent vision allow him to lead rushes, exploit coverage gaps, and create chances in both five-on-five and open-ice situations such as this game’s three on three overtime. He also shows a physical edge on anyone on the opposition, including the best players, pushes back on the wall and in front of the net. He logged heavy usage in this outing (~30 minutes, ~24+ season) capped by a high-skill, game-deciding backhand breakaway finish for the game winner in three-on-three overtime – a clear indicator he can handle top minutes and high-leverage moments.
Brock Souch (LW, L, 5’11”, 176, Prince George Cougars, 10/11/2006, St. Cloud)
Game Rating
B+
Brock Souch is a well-rounded left winger who brings a high-energy presence to the ice. He excels at skating with the puck, using his quickness and top-end speed to create space and challenge defenders wide. Souch’s creativity in the offensive zone allows him to navigate through traffic and set up plays for his linemates. He demonstrates strong finishing ability, as seen in a recent sequence where he moved into shooting position quickly and scored on a low wrister. Souch’s intelligence on the ice is evident in his decision-making, finding the right balance between shooting and distributing the puck. His persistence on the puck allows him to maintain possession in challenging situations, making him a dynamic threat. Overall, Souch’s combination of speed, skill, and determination makes him a valuable asset to any team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Souch is a sneaky-good, highly competitive left-shot centre who plays with relentless pace – his feet never stop in traffic, with or without the puck – and consistently makes plays on the walls and in tight areas. He attacks the net hard, provides physical pushback in all scenarios, and pairs very good top-end speed with strong puck skills (often the late man on the power-play breakout). Defensively he’s reliable and sound one-on-one along the walls, delivers a true 200-foot game, and carries key special-teams roles on both the top power play and top penalty kill. A playmaker who can also finish, Souch has posted 47 points (14 goals) in 44 games and was a driving presence in this contest, logging 25:30 of ice time, second in the forward group, in this overtime game.
Aiden Foster (LW, L, 6’2″, 184, Prince George Cougars, 02/25/2007)
Game Rating
B
Aiden Foster brings a well-rounded skill set to the table, excelling as both an offensive and defensive player. His size, skating ability, and physical edge allow him to drive play at both ends of the ice, making him a valuable asset to his team’s forward group. He displays poise and playmaking vision, often initiating or supporting in scrums and delivering effective passes. While maintaining body position and a stop-and-start game would be beneficial for Foster in the defensive zone, he is otherwise a dependable workhorse who consistently contributes to both the power play and penalty kill.
1 Viewing
Comments: Foster is a hard-nosed, high-effort forward who injects physicality and pushback while offering a very sound overall skill set. He’s an excellent skater with top-end speed, which he uses to pressure the forecheck, finish hits consistently and battle hard for loose pucks; he also pursues effectively on the backcheck. He possesses very good puck skills and playmaking instincts – highlighted by a play where he stopped up at the blue line, drew two defenders, then threaded a slick backhand through-the-legs pass to a teammate driving the middle – and he shows his offensive upside on the second power-play unit. Comfortable and confident along the walls, he can keep his head up and make plays under pressure. Defensive-zone coverage remains an area for improvement – both awareness/positioning and one-on-one technique would be areas for work- but overall he offers a valuable blend of size, skating and skill that translates well at the next level.
Dmitri Yakutsenak (C, L, 6’0″, 209, Prince George Cougars, 02/12/2007)
Game Rating
B
Dmitri Yakutsenak is a physically imposing player at 6’0″ and 210 lbs, utilizing his strength to control the puck in tight spaces. He possesses strong skating abilities for his size, enabling him to win battles along the boards and protect the puck effectively. In traffic, Yakutsenak demonstrates agile maneuverability, making reliable plays with the puck. His finishing skills are also notable, as seen with a precise top-shelf wrist shot on a breakaway.
1 Viewing
Comments: Yakutsenak is a stocky 6-foot left winger who brings a very solid, high-compete all-around game to the Cougars; this season his scoring is well-balanced between goals and assists (34 points), reflecting both finishing ability and playmaking instincts which is very much accented with his gritty approach. In the game he logged 18:30 of ice time, is a key piece on the top power play, and consistently plays a hard, physical style-showing increased pushback in scrums and willingness to engage. He’s a strong, heavy skater who’s difficult to move off the puck, shields possession well through traffic and keeps his feet moving, making him effective on puck carries and in sustaining offensive zone pressure.
Kayden Lemire (RW, R, 6’4″, 196, Prince George Cougars, 01/27/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Kayden Lemire is a physical presence on the ice, using his size and reach to battle for loose pucks and create scoring opportunities. His skating mechanics could benefit from refinement, particularly in terms of stride efficiency and edge control, but he shows flashes of speed and agility when navigating the ice. Lemire’s puck skills are a notable asset, particularly in tight spaces where he can make quick plays and release the puck effectively. He also demonstrates a willingness to engage physically in the hard areas, which will be crucial as he develops his game. While Lemire has some limitations on offense, his combination of size, skill, and physicality suggests significant upside. With continued development, he has the potential to become a reliable and impactful power winger.
1 Viewing
Comments: Lemire, a 6’3′ right winger, has shown a clear uptick in confidence and compete, and seems to clearly understand what he can bring to his team, which was especially noticeable in this game: he plays with relentless intensity on and off the puck, consistently battling on loose pucks, sustaining forechecks by getting on top of defensemen and finishing physically, and habitually driving to the net where he creates scrums at the crease, where he always stops and willingly pushes back. His puck game is steady – he keeps his feet moving, protects possession under pressure and demonstrates the vision to make plays (including a crisp backhand feed from behind the goal line into the slot for a one-timer). Skating is good for his size with some mechanical polish needed but has strong top-end speed; defensively he understands his rotations and coverage responsibilities. Logged over 13 minutes, his high battle-success rate, consistent physical finishing and clear compete/physical priorities make him a dependable power-forward type with room to refine his stride to become even more impactful.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images