Played on Feb 6, 2026
Game Played in South Okanagan Events Centre
General Game Notes: The Penticton Vees built a 3-1 lead after one period and didn’t look back defeating the visiting Tri-City Americans 5-3. Captain Ryden Evers continued his excellent play, leading the team with a goal and two assists, while line mate Jacob Kvasnicka had two goals, with singles going to Tristan Peterson and Britain Alstead. Connor Dale had two goals and Grady Martin with a single replied for the Americans.
Ethan Weber (D, R, 6’0″, 191, Penticton Vees, 12/10/2006, Penn State)
Game Rating
A-
Ethan Weber is a highly skilled defenseman who excels at both ends of the ice. He possesses excellent puck skills, poise, and vision, making him a reliable playmaker from the back end. His mobility and decision-making allow him to jumpstart breakouts and create scoring opportunities. Weber’s defensive skills are also notable, with strong gap control and the ability to win positioning in the defensive zone. He consistently demonstrates physicality and competitiveness, making him a trusted presence in all situations. While his defensive-zone fundamentals could use refinement, his overall game is well-rounded and impressive.
1 Viewing
Comments: Weber has a unique combination of high-skill and gritty compete; a defenseman who blends mobility and physicality effectively; a very good skater with strong acceleration, he can quickly escape battles and create seams with evasive work at the offensive blue line, using a quick, accurate release to get pucks through. He shows excellent offensive instincts across all three zones, reliably executing his own-zone exits and jumping into the attack often times off the given go which has earned him trust as the late power-play breakout option and a regular role on the top power play. Defensively he has become noticeably more reliable-now trusted on the penalty kill and logging meaningful minutes (third among his defense group at 19+ minutes in this game)-and he consistently pushes back on net-front scrums while winning roughly 55% of his puck battles this season.
Callum Stone (D, L, 5’8″, 171, Penticton Vees, 02/08/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Callum Stone is a physically imposing left-shot defenseman who consistently brings a high level of compete to every shift. He excels at eating quality minutes, both on even strength and penalty kill, making smart decisions with the puck and effectively disrupting opponents’ plays. Stone’s strong defensive skills are complemented by solid puck handling and first-passing abilities, allowing him to maintain possession and set up his teammates for success. He showcases excellent gap control and body positioning in the defensive zone, making him a reliable presence on the blue line. While not flashy, Stone is dependable and effective, with a high work ethic that allows him to anticipate and react to plays made by opponents.
1 Viewing
Comments: Stone – not the biggest left shot defenceman, but is a player who provides steady, reliable minutes every shift; not flashy but quietly effective. His strengths are on the defensive side, rarely beaten 1-on-1 through the neutral zone, uses strong edges, stride and mobility to shut down plays in the defensive zone, he who pre-boxes out opponents net front and gets under sticks on point shots. Reliable and efficient on the breakout and transition, he’s a very capable puck-mover who makes smart outlet reads and quick, safe decisions under pressure. Trustworthy on special teams (first over the boards on the penalty kill), logged 21+ minutes in this game – second among the defensive group – and projects as a dependable defensive defensemen – shutdown-minute player.
Ryden Evers (C, L, 6’4″, 196, Penticton Vees, 06/22/2005, Clarkson)
Game Rating
A-
Ryden Evers is a 6’3″ left-shot center who consistently displays a complete 200-foot game, making him a reliable two-way pivot for his team. He combines strong puck skills with tight-space creativity, tenacity, and a high-impact approach to the game. Evers is effective in all three zones, using his stick well on puck contests and disrupting opponents. His compete level is excellent, allowing him to cover ice and reach top-end speed. Evers’s pro-style instincts shine through in his ability to find teammates and make the right reads, while his high hockey IQ makes him a valuable asset on special teams and in all-zone deployment. He competes hard around net, wins battles for loose pucks, and protects the puck well in traffic. While his skating mechanics could use refinement, Evers’s size, speed, and determination allow him to make an impact.
1 Viewing
Comments: Evers continues to impress with relentless work ethic, deceptive straight-line speed, and the ability to make plays through traffic; his puck and stick skills make him dangerous on the attack-he beat an Americans defenceman to create chaos that led to line-mate Peterson’s first goal. Defensively he’s reliable on defensive zone coverage, back-checks hard, he is not openly physical but uses his size and good angling to finish checks, and is disruptive with a long stick. He’s trusted as the late guy on the power-play breakout and is dangerous as the net-front presence on the top unit while also roaming the offensive zone to find open teammates or shoot when opportunities arise; he’s also the first over the boards on the penalty kill. In this game he logged over 21 minutes (second among forwards), won roughly 50% of his draws (down from a season mark near 60%), had about a 55% puck-battle win rate, scored his 28th goal, and sits at 62 points on the season.
Samuel Drancak (C, L, 6’0″, 197, Penticton Vees, 02/04/2006)
Game Rating
B
Drancak is a solid two-way forward with a well-rounded skill set that will contribute to the team’s depth and stability. He possesses good speed and agility, allowing him to effectively track pucks and pressure opponents on the forecheck. His hockey IQ is notable, as he demonstrates a strong understanding of defensive-zone coverage and makes informed decisions in both zones.
1 Viewing
Comments: Drancak is a dependable two-way forward for the Vees who consistently logs reliable 200-foot minutes; tonight he skated about two minutes below his season average of about 17 minutes but, still showcased the same dependable impact. He wins over 50% of his faceoffs and ~55% of puck battles, is a solid, sturdy skater difficult to knock off the puck with good top-end speed, and played this game with improved pace. Defensively he is diligent on defensive zone coverage-strong positioning down low, habitually staying between his man and the net-and he provides quality minutes at both ends. Don’t overlook his offense: he’s produced 27 points (12 goals) in 40 games this season, showing he can contribute finish in support of his reliable defensive game.
Jacob Kvasnicka (RW, R, 5’11”, 172, Penticton Vees, 08/10/2007, Minnesota)
Game Rating
A-
Kvasnicka is a skilled right winger with a strong work ethic, who brings energetic play to the Vees lineup. He excels on his first step, quickly accelerating up the ice and maintaining possession. His puck-handling skills are notable, as seen in a strong passing play that set up a teammate for a scoring opportunity.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kvasnicka is a high-energy 5’11’ right winger who brings relentless compete shift after shift and is always dangerous on the offensive side; an elite skater with excellent top-end speed and the agility to navigate traffic, he consistently pressures pucks hard when he doesn’t have it and is a real threat on the attack-using his speed through the neutral zone and an aggressive forecheck to create chances. His all-around game was on display when he back-pressured an opponent inside the offensive blue line, stripped the puck, darted into the middle, beat an Americans defensemen to the outside and finished a goal-scorer’s goal from a sharp angle over the goalie’s glove. He finished the game with two goals, leads the team with 67 points (30 goals), led the forwards in ice time at 23:00, and posts a respectable 45% battle success rate.
Cruz Pavao (C, R, 5’11”, 201, Tri-City Americans, 08/24/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Pavao is a skilled right winger who brings energy to every shift, showcasing good top-end speed and puck skills that enable him to drive opponents wide and create chances off transition. He’s reliable in all situations, serving as a key player on both penalty-kill and power-play units. With solid edge control and the ability to operate in tight areas, Pavao finds himself available for plays at the net-front consistently.
1 Viewing
Comments: Pavao is an effective, all-around contributor for the Americans who logged nearly 19 minutes in this game and projects as a reliable playmaker; on display on the power play as the late man on the breakout, showing good skating and confident puck-handling through traffic. He displayed playmaking vision – serving up a perfect sauce pass to speedy teammate Dale for a breakaway goal and, moments after that score, threading a sharp cross-ice feed. He competes hard along the walls, staying calm under pressure and consistently making plays in tight areas. Areas for improvement: his battle win-rate consistency, it was poor in this game (around 30%) and sits under 50% on the season, and adding quickness and a higher top-end gear would significantly elevate his effectiveness.
Savin Virk (RW, R, 5’11”, 177, Tri-City Americans, 06/06/2007, Michigan State)
Game Rating
B+
Savin Virk is a highly skilled right winger with a compact frame and excellent hockey sense. He skates well with good mobility in tight spaces and consistently finds seams around the puck. Virk’s vision is high-end, allowing him to make smart plays and finish with a powerful release. He is an adept two-way player who excels in various aspects of the game. His agility and puck-handling skills enable him to create space and back opposing defensemen off the blue line. Virk is a reliable presence on the ice, frequently utilized in critical situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Virk is an very reliable, hard-working forward for the Americans who logged roughly 21 minutes this night (second in the forward group) while playing on the top power-play flank and the top penalty-killing unit; he’s a consistent 200-foot contributor. He blends excellent vision and top-tier puck skills with a heavy, accurate release, making him dangerous both as a shooter and an effective playmaker who consistently finds open teammates on the man advantage. Virk is shifty in tight spaces, excels at working through traffic, and thrives in all situations, providing dependable minutes in every phase of the game for his team.
Crew Martinson (C, R, 6’2″, 187, Tri-City Americans, 04/20/2009)
Game Rating
B
Crew Martinson is a well-rounded forward with a strong skill set that enables him to contribute in various situations on the ice. His reliable skating mechanics, good top-end speed, and tight-space maneuverability make him effective in both offense and defense. He showcases his poise and puck skills when creating scoring opportunities and has a high hockey IQ that allows him to read the game well. Martinson’s physicality and competitiveness are assets on the power play and penalty kill, where he effectively uses his body, stick, and reach to block lanes and create scoring chances. While there is room for improvement in terms of puck battle technique and sustained skating refinement, Martinson projects as a two-way power-forward with significant upside.
1 Viewing
Comments: Martinson (2009) is a high-upside forward with very good puck skills and excellent hockey sense who consistently makes plays and impacts the power play as an effective net-front option or a quick goal-line/wrap around presence; he shows no hesitation attacking the netfront if he sees an opening (notably converting a wraparound to generate a rebound goal for a teammate). He also goes to the net hard without the puck and always stops at the crease looking for loose pucks or someone that is willing to engage. His skating is average – though has adequate top-end speed but in need of improved mechanics – and while he competes hard on the boards and in puck battles, his current success rate (~40% this season) should improve with physical maturation. Overall, Martinson’s offensive IQ, competitive drive, and playmaking ceiling project him as a developing impact player with clear upside if he refines his skating and becomes stronger on contact.
Jakub Vanecek (D, L, 6’2″, 193, Tri-City Americans, 02/25/2008)
Game Rating
B
Vanecek is a well-rounded player with a strong skill set that includes excellent skating, mobility, and puck skills. He excels in both offense and defense, making smart first passes and subtle plays to trigger breakouts. In the defensive zone, he demonstrates strong gap control, pinning and finishing hits effectively without being overly physical. Vanecek is also a reliable one-on-one defender and puck handler, capable of carrying the puck when space allows.
1 Viewing
Comments: Vanecek is a well-rounded defenseman with smooth, high-end skating both forwards and backwards and confident puck skills that translate into consistently strong passing and effective first passes-whether the simple outlet or a play that requires elevated hockey IQ. He shows the ability to drive play with pace, using speed and mobility to evade heavy forechecking and quickly lead rushes, though he should do this more frequently to fully leverage that tool. Defensively he is generally reliable in one-on-one battles (about a 55% success rate this season) but would benefit from being firmer and leaning on players more-there were moments when a lack of physicality or commitment to clearing the puck directly led to goal against. Adding more consistent ‘dig in’ on board battles and a harder physical element will elevate him from a very good, skilled defender to a consistently impactful two-way player.
Gavin Garland (C, R, 5’10”, 183, Tri-City Americans, 02/08/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Garland’s game is built around his quickness and agility, which enable him to create space on the ice and make plays with ease. He has strong puck skills and can finish plays with confidence, as shown by his ability to score from a variety of angles. Garland also shows good competitiveness in tight spaces, but could benefit from adding strength and consistency to improve his success in board battles.
1 Viewing
Comments: Garland is a compact, sturdy 5’10’ forward who is very good in traffic and logged a team-high ~22 minutes in this game, anchoring the top power play as the late man on the breakout and a flank presence in the offensive zone. He’s an excellent skater with top-end speed and quickness, showing shifty, dangerous transition instincts through the neutral zone and the ability to navigate heavy traffic; his puck-handling and vision were evident when he threaded a nice pass to the net-front for a tap-in by linemate Dale. Comfortable under pressure, Garland pursues loose pucks and competes hard along the boards, posting roughly a 50% battle win rate on the season – a mark that mirrors his faceoff success – and projects as a reliable, pace-setting playmaker in key minutes.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images