Played on Jan 31, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in The Sandman Centre
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed the WHL matchup between the Swift Current Broncos and the Kamloops Blazers on January 31, 2025. This was a even game from start to finish with both teams exchanging excellent scoring chances every period. In the end, it was the Blazers who were able to convert and were led by their top line, at times dominating play whenever they touched the ice. The game ended as a 5-2 victory for the Blazers.
Logan Edmonstone (G, L, 5’10”, 170, Kamloops Blazers, 10/03/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Edmonstone displayed sharp reflexes and composure under pressure. With traffic in front, he made a quick kick save while in butterfly, showing excellent pad control. He stood tall against sustained net-front pressure, tracking pucks well and ensuring he maintained sightlines. Late in the game, he managed play effectively, securing whistles at key moments to slow things down when needed. He also demonstrated strong rebound control, directing pucks into the corners and keeping his five-hole covered, including a key save on a tipped shot with his stick sealed to the ice.
Matteo Koci (D, L, 5’11”, 182, Kamloops Blazers, 06/07/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Koci played a disciplined and effective defensive game, maintaining tight gap control to shut down forwards along the boards. A smooth skater, he recovered well in his own end, quickly turning up ice and making clean outlet passes through the neutral zone. When carrying the puck, he showed confidence, gaining the offensive zone with speed and taking it down the wing to below the goal line. His recoveries in his own zone were strong, using proper body positioning to control the speed of attacking forwards and getting his stick on the puck first. He also showed good physicality, timing a big hit at the blue line on a forward attempting to make a move around him.
Emmitt Finnie (LW, L, 6’1″, 183, Kamloops Blazers, 06/27/2005)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Finnie’s speed and hockey sense made him a dangerous offensive presence. He capitalized on a breakaway opportunity, shielding the puck from a trailing defender and finishing with a smooth backhand shot. His creativity was evident behind the net, where he executed a behind-the-back pass to a teammate in the slot. Constantly moving in the offensive zone, he found soft spots in coverage and took advantage, curling around to sneak behind defensemen and burying a quick-strike goal. He also displayed great vision, executing a well-placed flip pass to a teammate attempting to break past the defense. In possession, he controlled play well, keeping his feet moving and protecting the puck with strength. His hustle paid off late in the game, as he won a puck race and set up an empty-net goal with a well-placed pass.
Nathan Behm (C, R, 6’1″, 195, Kamloops Blazers, 04/18/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Behm showcased elite playmaking ability, making a pinpoint breakout pass from his own blue line to the opposite blue line, springing a teammate for a breakaway goal (assist). He played a high-IQ game, recognizing his line was changing and smartly slowing play in the offensive zone before chipping the puck to the far side, ensuring possession while completing the change. His strong forecheck helped create turnovers as he finished hits and looked to regain control of the puck. Dangerous in the offensive zone, he used his edges well to create space, collecting his own rebound behind the net and dishing a pass to the slot for a goal. He also displayed shifty skating, spinning off a checker to get a shot off and consistently opening lanes with his movement to set up teammates for quality scoring chances.
Tommy Lafreniere (C, R, 5’11”, 172, Kamloops Blazers, 01/16/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Lafreniere demonstrated quick hands through traffic, stickhandling effectively around defenders. He was a key driver of zone entries, frequently carrying the puck down the wing. His hockey sense was on display as he showed excellent playmaking instincts, knowing where his teammates were at all times and anticipating their movements. On a 3-on-1, he made a poised stop-up play and found the trailing forward for a hard one-timer that rang off the crossbar. His speed allowed him to pull away on odd-man rushes, making him a threat in transition. After an offensive-heavy first period, he showed his well-rounded game late, providing solid defensive support by helping out in the corners and clearing pucks.
Vit Zahejsky (C, R, 5’11”, 170, Kamloops Blazers, 08/10/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Zahejsky showed a strong combination of offensive and defensive awareness. He made a great rush through the middle, keeping the puck in front of him and splitting the defense for a quality shot on net. On the powerplay, he held the blue line effectively, walking in and making a no-look pass across the ice to set up a one-timer opportunity. Defensively, he provided crucial help in front of his own net, stopping a dangerous pass attempt through the slot. His speed allowed him to jump up into plays quickly, including a rush where he broke free for a partial breakaway and got a shot off despite defensive pressure.
Beau Courtney (C, R, 5’10”, 180, Kamloops Blazers, 01/12/2004, Alaska Fairbanks)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Courtney’s high-energy play stood out, particularly on the penalty kill. He kept his feet moving and pressured defensemen, ultimately drawing a penalty that negated the powerplay and brought play back to even strength. Offensively, he demonstrated creativity with an inside-to-outside move in a 1-on-1 battle, creating space for a shot from the high slot.
Oren Shtrom (LW, L, 5’9″, 183, Kamloops Blazers, 09/28/2004, Alaska Anchorage)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Shtrome showed a natural scoring touch with a quick and accurate release. On the powerplay, he received a tipped pass in the slot and, in one fluid motion, corralled the puck and wired a wrist shot top corner. His offensive awareness was evident as he dumped the puck in and aggressively pursued it, capitalizing on an unexpected bounce to bury another goal. He consistently got shots off with minimal time, pulling the puck in and firing with both power and precision.
Hunter Mayo (D, R, 6’1″, 202, Swift Current Broncos, 05/07/2004)
Game Rating
C+
Mayo demonstrated solid defensive skills in this game, showcasing his ability to track and react to opponents. He was effective at intercepting stretch passes and maintaining possession by keeping a tight stick on puck carriers. His intelligence and decision-making allowed him to make calculated plays that limited the opposing team’s scoring opportunities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mayo was active on the blue line, using quick stop-and-start movements to open up shooting lanes. He consistently got pucks through traffic and avoided blocks while holding the line well. Defensively, he could improve in 1-on-1 situations, as he occasionally got caught flat-footed, leading to situations where he had to take a penalty or allow a forward to beat him down the wing.
Josh McGregor (D, L, 6’1″, 175, Swift Current Broncos, 06/07/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: McGregor had a solid defensive showing, recovering well in his own zone and using smart body positioning to eliminate his man before quickly transitioning the puck up ice. Offensively, he stepped into open ice for a cross-ice pass and had a scoring look. He also made a strong physical play, closing out hard on a forward after tracking him across the ice. While his physicality is an asset, he could improve his positioning down low, as quick players in the corners were able to get around him at times.
Jace McFaul (D, R, 5’9″, 160, Swift Current Broncos, 03/03/2007)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: McFaul demonstrated strong play at the blue line, consistently holding it well and reading the play to prevent pucks from being cleared. With possession, he walked the line smoothly, shifting defenders and finding passing lanes to create offensive opportunities.
Rylan Gould (F, L, 5’10”, 183, Swift Current Broncos, 08/05/2005, Michigan Tech)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Gould was a force down low, using his body to shield the puck and create passing options for his teammates. His heavy forecheck led to a forced turnover, and he showed offensive confidence when attacking 1-on-1, generating a quality shot from the wing. His best moment came on a 3-on-1, where he made a smart individual effort—holding onto the puck as the defender committed to blocking the pass, getting a shot off, and capitalizing on his own rebound for a goal.
Carlin Dezainde (C, L, 5’11”, 174, Swift Current Broncos, 12/29/2004, Connecticut)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Dezainde showcased excellent passing and offensive awareness, delivering a well-placed feed to the far-side winger on a 3-on-2 rush. His quick hands and elusive skating allowed him to evade defenders, including a smooth deke around a closing defenseman in the corner. He carried speed through the middle of the ice, cutting to a dangerous shooting area. His goal came off a deflected pass, where he wasted no time firing a hard wrist shot past the goalie.
Luke Mistelbacher (C, R, 6’0″, 195, Swift Current Broncos, 11/02/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Mistlebacher showcased exceptional skillset in various situations on the ice. He demonstrated impressive hands and stick-handling abilities, allowing him to weave through defenders with ease. His vision was also notable, as he consistently made pinpoint passes to his teammates, often setting up scoring opportunities. Mistlebacher’s ability to create space and deke around defenders allowed him to make clever moves on the rush. He also displayed a keen understanding of positioning, frequently using the half-wall as a launching point for plays, and showed poise in controlling the puck in tight spaces, delivering accurate chip passes to his teammates in scoring positions.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mistlebacher displayed his speed, flying down the ice on a 2-on-1 and making a smart shot selection, aiming far-side for either a goal or a rebound chance. He was highly effective on the powerplay from the point, consistently getting shots through traffic and faking shots to set up teammates near the net. He generated several dangerous chances but couldn’t convert this game. In the corners, he used his edges well to create space and maintain possession.