Played on Jan 29, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in Art Hauser Centre
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed the WHL matchup between the Regina Pats and the Prince Albert Raiders on January 29, 2025. This was a spirited contest between the two teams that included many hits and two fights. Prince Albert was able to sustain pressure in the Regina end for long periods of time and created many chances which led to be the difference in the 5-2 victory.
Lukas Dragicevic (D, R, 6’1″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 04/25/2005)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Dragicevic showcased elite offensive instincts for a defenseman, frequently jumping into the rush and creating high-danger opportunities. He demonstrated confidence in possession, deking around a forward before taking a shot or threading a pass to a teammate. His skating ability stood out, as he weaved up the ice and cut to his strong side before ringing a hard shot off the post. A dynamic player to watch, he consistently generated offense with smart passes and dangerous shot selection. Defensively, he was equally effective, staying tight on forwards in his own end, using his stick to break up plays, and showing the strength to separate opponents from the puck along the wall.
Matteo Fabrizi (D, L, 6’6″, 240, Prince Albert Raiders, 03/23/2005)
Game Rating
B+
This player’s skating ability and puck-handling skills are noteworthy, given their size. They move fluidly up the ice and along the line, allowing shots to find their way through traffic. Their hits are also significant, as seen when they leveled a player in the slot to prevent a rush chance. In tight spaces, they demonstrated the ability to control the puck with their large frame. However, there is room for improvement in certain situations. When faced with odd-man rushes, they sometimes commit too early to the shooter, leading to an easy pass into the slot and creating danger for the opposing team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Fabrizi displayed excellent defensive awareness, maintaining strong gap control while keeping to the middle of the ice. His physical play along the boards effectively shut down opponents trying to drive wide. On the penalty kill, he made a key shot block, dropping to one knee to take away the low-angle attempt. His breakout play was impressive, as he consistently found forwards through the middle to initiate offensive chances. One of his best plays came on a perfectly executed stretch pass that sprung a 2-on-0, leading to a goal and earning him an assist.
Jackson Kostiuk (LW, L, 5’11”, 162, Prince Albert Raiders, 09/14/2006)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Kostiuk made several smart plays throughout the game, including a well-placed setup for a one-timer in the high slot. He showed great second effort along the blue line, battling to keep the puck in the zone before getting it deep. Defensively, he was responsible on the backcheck, pressuring the puck carrier and getting his stick in the lane to break up a play.
Aiden Oiring (C, L, 5’7″, 180, Prince Albert Raiders, 05/09/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Oiring’s quickness and agility allowed him to shift seamlessly between the middle and the outside lanes. On one play, he made a smart pass to a teammate before driving the middle and crashing the net, where he capitalized on a rebound for a goal. His work ethic was on full display with an outstanding backcheck, hustling hard to catch the puck carrier before they could make a cross-ice pass.
Niall Crocker (RW, R, 6’4″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 07/31/2004, Ohio State)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Crocker was highly engaged in all three zones, making smart, high-impact plays. He created an offensive chance with a quick steal in open ice, turning and firing a shot on net. His defensive commitment was evident on a strong backcheck, where he tracked the trailing forward and used his stick to break up a drop pass. He also displayed great speed and determination when he won a foot race in the offensive zone, quickly setting up a teammate in the slot for a goal, earning him an assist.
Tomas Mrsic (C, L, 5’11”, 170, Prince Albert Raiders, 02/26/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Mrsic displayed strong playmaking ability, executing a beautiful saucer pass on a 2-on-1 that was denied by a glove save. His composure under pressure allowed him to skate through traffic while protecting the puck and finding open ice. When given space, he unleashed a quick wrist shot that he could get off with little hesitation. One of his best plays came on a 3-on-1, where he threaded a perfect pass through a defender to set up a goal and earn an assist.
Ethan Bibeau (RW, L, 6’1″, 190, Prince Albert Raiders, 01/01/2007)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Bibeau used his speed effectively down the wing, forcing defenders to pivot before exploiting the transition to gain deeper zone entry. He also competed hard in the dirty areas, battling in front of the net to provide an effective screen.
Rilen Kovacevic (RW, R, 5’11”, 180, Prince Albert Raiders, 08/02/2004)
Game Rating
B+
Rilen Kovacevic displayed exceptional hockey skills in this game, showcasing impressive defensive awareness as a winger. He demonstrated expertise in reading plays, intercepting passes, and gaining possession of the puck through clever footwork and anticipation. His speed and agility allowed him to create scoring opportunities, including two goals where he outskated opponents for loose pucks. Kovacevic also excelled on the penalty kill, using his stick to effectively smother the puck carrier, creating a steal and 2-on-1 chance for his team. Overall, Kovacevic’s hockey IQ, speed, and agility make him a formidable player with high skill levels in all facets of the game.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kovacevic’s skating ability stood out, particularly his quick acceleration and smooth hands in traffic, allowing him to weave through the middle and enter the offensive zone with control. He was constantly moving, keeping himself available for passes and creating opportunities. His high-end puck skills made him a threat from anywhere on the ice. He also showcased his speed by pulling away from a defender for a breakaway, where he aimed for the top corner but was denied by the goaltender.
Ewan Huet (G, L, 6’0″, 185, Regina Pats, 02/08/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Huet displayed excellent awareness and positioning, always looking prepared. When a bad pass came through the middle, he was ready and made a clean glove save. His quick reflexes were on full display with a great breakaway glove stop and a big one-timer save off a faceoff. He tracked the puck well around his zone, staying ready for sharp-angle shots. Confident in his crease, he wasn’t afraid to play aggressively at the top to cut down angles. The goals against him were difficult to fault, as three came off odd-man rushes with cross-slot passes that left him little chance.
Reese Hamilton (D, L, 6’0″, 174, Regina Pats, 03/26/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Reese Hamilton displayed strong puck control, collecting bouncing pucks with ease and transitioning up the ice effectively. He moves smoothly with the puck, utilizing his edges well to cut through lanes and find open space. His vision is a standout trait, allowing him to read the ice well and make smart decisions. Despite his usual poise, his game seemed slightly off, as he missed some plays he typically executes and had a few shots blocked from the point. However, he remained aggressive in his own corners, showing good physicality in battles. Hamilton’s skating ability was evident as he picked up the puck in his own zone, carried it out with confidence, and made clean outlet passes to his wingers. His passing was a key asset, particularly in transition, where he quickly identified options and executed a stretch pass to create an odd-man rush. He also demonstrated excellent one-touch passing, including a crisp pass from the point across the offensive zone to open up play.
Keets Fawcett (LW, L, 5’10”, 167, Regina Pats, 02/23/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Fawcett possesses a powerful wrist shot, which he showcased on the power play by stepping in from the top of the circle and ripping a shot past the goaltender for a goal. He supported the breakout well, skating through the middle to retrieve the puck before curling back into the offensive zone. In his own end, he maintained good positioning with an active stick, effectively deflecting passing attempts.
Zach Moore (RW, R, 5’10”, 171, Regina Pats, 06/07/2006)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Moore showed strong net-front awareness, making a determined move from behind the net to the front in an attempt to jam the puck in. On the penalty kill, he was effective in the middle, using his stick well to disrupt passing lanes and deflect pucks away. He demonstrated control on zone entries, driving down the wall and getting a shot off from the outside.
Zachary Pantelakis (LW, L, 5’10”, 165, Regina Pats, 10/18/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Pantelakis was active offensively, firing a strong shot from the top of the circle that was gloved down. Defensively, he followed his winger well and blocked a key shot. He also carried the puck with confidence, executing a strong rush through the middle and using his speed to take the puck deep along the wing.
Matt Paranych (D, L, 5’8″, 157, Regina Pats, 04/23/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Paranych displayed good vision and skating ability, carrying the puck out of his own end with composure. While he effectively dumped the puck over the red line, he could improve on executing controlled zone entries. In the offensive zone, he used his speed well, circling around the top and dropping the puck to a forward to generate movement into open ice. He also made a smart play at the blue line, keeping the puck in, taking the available space, and releasing a strong shot from the high slot.
Ephram McNutt (D, R, 6’0″, 183, Regina Pats, 05/04/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: McNutt played a composed and intelligent game, serving as the power-play quarterback. He consistently held the puck in at the blue line and made smart, controlled plays that looked effortless. He unleashed a dangerous one-timer slapshot that rang off the post. His ability to lead rushes was evident when he executed a give-and-go with a forward, breaking past the defender in transition.
Julien Maze (RW, L, 5’8″, 165, Regina Pats, 12/07/2007)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Maze showed excellent agility, executing a smooth sidestep around a pinching defenseman before accelerating down the wing. His first three strides were explosive, allowing him to pull away from defenders. He demonstrated a strong burst of speed when his team regained possession, sprinting down the ice to receive a breakaway pass. He attempted a five-hole finish but was denied by the goaltender.