Played on Mar 18, 2026
Game Played in VisitLethbridge.com Arena
General Game Notes: Red Deer scored four goals in the first period, literally winning the game in the first twenty minutes. They sat back the next two periods, providing half the amount of shots and offense and played a real defensive style structured game. The Hurricanes provided a late push towards the end of the third period, but it was just too little too late.
William Scott (D, R, 6’0″, 193, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 05/03/2008)
Game Rating
B
Scott demonstrates notable puck-handling skills, showcasing confidence and composure when controlling the puck. He occasionally displays strong defensive instincts, reading plays early and positioning himself effectively to break up opponents’ rushes. However, he also exhibits uncertainty in his own end zone, which can lead to errors that negatively impact his team’s performance. While Scott lacks the size and strength required for a traditional crease-clearing presence, this limitation actually enhances his agility and mobility on the ice. His ability to navigate the puck effectively in transition is a notable aspect of his game. To reach his full potential, Scott needs to work on addressing inconsistencies in his defensive play and overall production.
1 Viewing
Comments: Scott was able to show that his game is driven by his skating, as he is agile, able to change directions quickly. He combines that mobility with creativity and crisp, accurate passing, allowing him to push the pace and force opponents into mistakes with his deceptive approach. With his head up in transition, he keeps the puck in tight to his body and can make last second decisions, making him difficult to read and defend. He is not afraid to engage physically, but there are moments where he prioritizes contact over puck possession, opting to take the body when a loose puck is available. He could improve on his possession first mindset at times.
Carsen Adair (D, L, 6’3″, 197, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 02/14/2007)
Game Rating
A-
The player in question brings a physical presence to the ice, utilizing their size and strength to deliver impactful hits. Their aggressive edge allows them to make a notable impact on the game, particularly in open-ice situations. However, their offense is somewhat limited, and they can be prone to penalties when losing discipline. When trying to reach smaller opponents, they may struggle with recovering and regaining control of the puck. Despite some vulnerabilities, the player’s physicality and willingness to play a gritty game are notable assets on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Adair is a big defenseman who moves well for his size, showing solid mobility and the ability to close quickly on opponents. His reach and length allow him to disrupt plays effectively, and when engaged, he brings a physical edge that makes him difficult to play against. At his best, he uses his frame to control space, win battles, and shut down one on one situations. There are shifts where he asserts himself physically, racks up stops, and shows enough puck moving ability to contribute offensively and support play in the zone. However, his reads can be inconsistent at times, which can lead to breakdowns and him getting caught out of position.
Tyden Lafournaise (C, R, 6’0″, 183, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 03/17/2009)
Game Rating
A-
Tyden Lafournaise is a dynamic player who excels on the perimeter of the ice, using his agility to evade defenders and create scoring opportunities. His goal-scoring ability is a result of his speed and willingness to take risks, often creating chaos in front of the net. However, this playing style also comes with its drawbacks, as Lafournaise occasionally loses puck possession time in the offensive zone due to unforced turnovers. Despite some youthful mistakes, such as throwing pucks away or losing coverage in his own zone, Lafournaise’s pace and energy are major assets on the ice. He consistently makes plays at the blue lines, causing turnovers and creating scoring chances for his team. To take his game to the next level, Lafournaise may need to add a bit more scrappiness and tenacity to his overall skill set.
1 Viewing
Comments: Lafournaise opened up the scoring with hard nosed goal, winning a blue paint battle and burying home a second chance that the goalie was not able to cover. Lafournaise won his net front battle, showing his grit and determination to capitalize on chances and quality scoring areas. He does a good job at keeping his head up with the puck, always scanning the ice looking for the next available option. Couple too many cutbacks at times. When he has the chance to go north, he feels the pressure and cuts back, causing confusion for the rest of his teammates. Good thing he has good skating ability to escape these types of situations.
Kayden Longley (LW, L, 6’2″, 182, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 01/09/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Longley showcased his strengths as a key contributor to his team’s early goal. He effectively cleared the zone by blocking a shot and winning a turnover, which led to a scoring opportunity. His speed and agility allowed him to evade a defender and receive a pass for the goal. Longley’s physical presence is also an asset on the ice. His sturdy frame helped him control the boards in his own zone. Overall, he demonstrated solid playmaking skills and took advantage of his opportunities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Longley was able to get his team back in the conversation with the power play goal. Setting up back doors, he received a really nice scene pass where Longley was camped out back door for an empty netter one timer. This play started out by him showing the extra battle level to help win the face-off, getting into the scrum on a 50/50 puck, the extra, extra effort allow his team to recover the puck and ultimately set up this play. There were some shifts that he was able to show that he is a powerful skater with quickness and a level of directness to his game, allowing him to burst through the coverage and beat defenders to the outside before driving the net.
Matteo Fabrizi (D, L, 6’6″, 247, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 03/23/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Capping off the night with goals was Fabrizi with a rebound tally that he followed up to the net from a point shot and was able to get a stick on a bouncing puck, cutting the score within one. The big defenseman somehow found himself at the net front due to them being down and at a late stage in the game, his out of route creativity paid off. He is one of the bigger players on the ice, but showed that he can move extremely well for his size. While not the most offensive, he has that offensive game in him. When he challenges players one on one in tight he is very hard to cover due to his strength and size.
Owen Berge (C, R, 6’0″, 198, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 05/02/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Berg was able to show that he is a deceptive forward who does a solid job at disguising his intentions, often baiting defenders into committing before adjusting and exploiting the space they leave behind. He has a strong sense of timing, with the ability to slow the game down, delay, and remain patient until the best option develops before making a play. That patients comes off in rushes where he does not force plays instead, holds on to the puck, showing he is comfortable with the pressure.
Poul Andersen (F, R, 6’1″, 189, Red Deer Rebels, 06/01/2007, Maine)
Game Rating
A-
Poul Andersen exhibits a strong presence in front of the net, showcasing his ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. His size gives him an advantage in this area, but it’s not a significant factor that sets him apart from others. Instead, his tenacity and willingness to engage in physical battles allow him to win space and outwork opponents. This is particularly evident during breaks, where Andersen uses his quickness to get puck possession from a standstill and create separation.
1 Viewing
Comments: Andersen scored a nice goal at the net front where he was able to dig out a loose puck, and stuff it past the goalie. He read the shot from the point nicely and followed up the play by out working his opponent at the net. Andersen has a bit of a lanky size but does not get pushed around, instead he uses his reach to his advantage and this goal was a good example of that. His long stride allows him to glide at a fast pace where he can slow the game down with his puck skills. He keeps his momentum that he is able to build with swivel hip movements making him a threat to go a different way if the play calls for it.
Kalder Varga (RW, R, 5’11”, 181, Red Deer Rebels, 06/24/2008, Denver)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Putting himself in such a high quality position was the key to his goal tonight. Varga read the breakdown and found dead ice on the back side, where he was able to get a seam pass and one time a puck past a desperate sliding goalie. His game may be a little optimistic in a sense where he sometimes cheats for offense, but his offensive skills are so good that he capitalizes on a lot of them. The right handed forward can shoot the puck in awkward positions and has the ability to pull it inside and push out around a blocking defender. Like to see him hold on to pucks longer at times as he gets rid of the puck quickly when he feels the pressure.
Kohen Lodge (RW, L, 5’9″, 187, Red Deer Rebels, 10/05/2008)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Lodge was able to show that his motor and up tempo style are the driving forces behind his game. Even with a smaller frame, he consistently finds ways to make an impact through relentless pressure and effort. He hounds puck carriers, disrupts breakouts, and remains fully engaged every shift. Despite the size mismatch at times, he does not hesitate to engage physically, even finishing checks on bigger opponents and making himself a constant nuisance to play against.
Patrick Sopiarz (LW, R, 6’0″, 196, Red Deer Rebels, 03/05/2008)
Game Rating
A-
Sopiarz showcased his skill set, particularly in terms of his on-ice awareness and work ethic. He effectively utilized his physical presence to outwork opponents, creating turnovers and capitalizing on fast breaks down the ice. His ability to initiate contact, rather than simply possession, added a valuable layer to his playmaking. Notably, he demonstrated quick decision-making, picking up his head to identify scoring opportunities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sopiarz scored the game winning goal tonight on the power play letting a powerful wrist shot go that beat the goalie high. He was able to pick a corner quickly but what was even better about the goal is how he was able to get his body around a bad pass and get the puck to a spot he was comfortable enough to let it go. The goalie was not able to see anything with his shot because Sopiarz was able to get this puck through layers of a screen, showing his accuracy with this shot. This was a flanker style goal, this position needs to be able to get power behind their shot without winding up, as well as being able to do it from a bit of a distance.
Beckett Hamilton (RW, R, 5’11”, 177, Red Deer Rebels, 03/28/2008)
Game Rating
A-
Hamilton showcased a solid hockey IQ by finding ways to create scoring opportunities through clever movement and puck stripping. His skating ability allows him to effectively survey the ice, making it easier to identify open areas. As one of the younger players on the ice, Hamilton demonstrated poise in controlling the tempo of the game, managing to slow down the play without panicking. He also displayed a strong sense of spatial awareness, allowing him to capitalize on a teammate’s dish and create a scoring chance.
1 Viewing
Comments: The reason as to why he has twenty four goals this year is his ability to control the puck and he showed this skill during his goal in tonights game. On a little breakaway, he faked a forehand, went backhand, and beat the goalie clean, high over the glove, with speedy puck control and a skill to raise it in tight. He got this puck in between the two defenders and on a standstill, and blew by them with his first three steps towards the net. He has literal breakaway speed, but also has the ability to change his speed with a wide range making it a lot harder for defenseman to understand what their gaps should be to play him.
Talon Brigley (RW, R, 5’11”, 173, Red Deer Rebels, 02/16/2005, Sacred Heart)
Game Rating
B
Brigley displayed a dynamic playing style reminiscent of a modern day forward who excels in physical battles. He effectively used his strength to win against larger defensemen and capitalized on aggressive plays up the ice. The player also showed ability to create space with the puck and react quickly to open lanes, often finding ways to make plays with clever passes or shots. However, his confidence seems to waver at times, causing him to play more cautiously rather than fully unleashing his potential.
1 Viewing
Comments: Talon showed a strong ability to connect with and play off his line mates tonight, while also being capable of dictating the pace and slowing the game down when needed. His value is driven by his poise with the puck, but it is complemented by smooth, effortless skating and confident puck handling in tight spaces. He can string together fluid, crossover heavy rushes and execute inside out moves at top speed, making him a constant threat in transition off the rush.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images