Game played 11/09/2024.
General Game Notes: This game seemed like it was out of reach as the Chiefs built a 4-1 on the hometown Rockets. But, three penalties led to three powerplay goals by the ever dangerous, excellent Rockets powerplay. In the end the Chiefs were able to salvage the win as Brayden Crampton was able to walk in uncontested and score the winner for a 6-5 final.
Hiroki Gojsic (RW, R, 6’3″, 198, Kelowna Rockets, 05/01/2006)
Grade: B+
Comments: Gojsic showed tonight what he is capable of doing, now it needs to happen nightly. The combination of a big frame, very good skater, good puck skills shone brightly. Not just because he scored two goals but how he did it. On one of them he gained speed throught he neutral zone and went around a D with great puck protection, cut across infront of the net and had a great finish. His second was from getting to the top of the paint and winning the body position and stick battle for an easy tap in.
Brayden Crampton (D, R, 6’0″, 161, Spokane Chiefs, 05/02/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Crampton is a solid steady defender that gets around the ice very well. He is a very good puck mover and distributor over 200 feet, showed very good awareness when to jump into the attack and when to release himself from it. He can be physical on the walls and mid ice as he stepped up early in the game and delivered a solid open ice hit. He is trusted by the coaches on both PP1 and PK1.
Owen Schoettler (D, R, 6’0″, 181, Spokane Chiefs, 01/23/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Schoettler brings a very good all round skill set which leads to him doing many things well. He can around the ice effectively as he is a very good skater which is on display in the neutral zone as he rarely backs in and uses surfing to his advantage, obviously confident with his ability. In the defensive zone he is aware of how to defend when it comes to body position and where to be. He can hit and pin with his recognition of when to take away time and space. He also uses good stick on puck when needed and can then move pucks well after separating a player from it. He is very reliable and steady.
Shea Van Olm (LW, L, 6’1″, 200, Spokane Chiefs, 03/05/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Van Olm was very good on this night. He is an effective player that has many solid attributes. He is putting up excellent numbers as he has a heavy shot with an excellent release and has the ability to get shots off by always making himself available. He skates well, has good speed and has a very good offensive IQ. He has the knack to get into soft areas, comes off the wall and out of traffic with a purpose and is willing to take the puck into the hard areas. He is also willing to go get pucks using a physical approach.
Owen Martin (C, 6’0″, 186, Spokane Chiefs, 05/11/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Martin is an excellent all round player that simply does many things well. He is by no means flashy but just a very good player with high IQ. He is a very good skater that has great top end speed allowing him to separate from people through the neutral zone. From there he makes good decisions on whether to move it or carry and gain the blue with possession which he does this with solid puck skills. He consistently makes good plays with the puck all over the ice and can free himself up to get into open ice, with an ability to finish. He was on both PK1 and PP1 on this night.
Hayden Paupanekis (C, R, 6’4″, 192, Spokane Chiefs, 12/14/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Paupanekis is a large body (6’4′) that definitely has a high upside. He is a diligent worker that is always engaged and can get around the ice quite effectively with good top end speed and mobility. This speed can be deceptive as he seemed to surprise D while on the attack and gain a step. He has good hands and has good hockey sense with an ability to make plays. He is aware defensively as displayed with switch offs and filling the open spot on the DZ coverage. He has an understanding of what he brings to his team as he will finish on the body, make a play with the puck and get to the netfront and battle hard for position. Skating mechanics is an area for growth but it is by no means a problem at this point. With that, I get the impression he will be someone that will be willing to put in the work wherever needed.
Chase Harrington (LW, L, 6’0″, 185, Spokane Chiefs, 10/30/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Harrington is highly skilled high IQ player with an excellent upside. He a very good skater that is fast, coupled with an ability to process the game at high speed, makes him very dangerous on the offensive side of the puck. He has excellent poise with the puck and would draw people to him then dish off softly or whatever is required to make plays. His defensive awareness was very good as shown both on the backcheck when he was pointing and communicating with his D and, as the first backchecker back coming through to his own netfront not peeling until his centre arrived. He shows very high battle level for loose pucks and is trusted by his coaches on both PP1 and PK1.
Berkly Catton (C, L, 5’10”, 162, Spokane Chiefs, 01/14/2006)
Grade: A-
Comments: Catton is an elite skater that is an offensive threat basically every time he is on the ice. He has a second gear that was on display as he went around a Rockets D to the outside, cut hard to the middle and beat the goaltender with a great goal. He has a very quick stick that he used effectively coming off the walls quickly, attacking the seam and either shooting or beating a defender to get tighter to the paint. He clearly understands the teams structure executing the high man job with a D pinch very effectively on many occasions.
Asanali Sarkenov (RW, L, 6’4″, 198, Spokane Chiefs, 07/22/2006)
Grade: B-
Comments: Sarkenov is a big, strong, smooth skater that that has a very good work ethic. He has good on ice awareness on the defensive side of the puck and is willing to backpressure hard. He handles the puck well and is effective protecting on the wall, and making plays from it. With that, if he wants to put up offensive numbers he needs to engage more physically on the walls, finishing checks on the forecheck and battle harder at the netfront.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images