Played on Feb 14, 2026
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The Kelowna Rockets jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one period, then cruised to an 8-2 victory over the visiting Vancouver Giants. Tij Iginla led the way again for the Rockets with four points on two goals, while Owen Folstrom and Mazden Leslie also with two goals each, and singles coming from Carson Wetsch and Vojtech Cijar. Rockets goaltender Josh Banini made some good stops when he needed to, in the end making 30 saves for the win.
Joshua Banini (G, L, 6’1″, 194, Kelowna Rockets, 04/10/2006)
Game Rating
B
Joshua Banini showcased impressive mobility and quick movement in the crease, allowing him to recover from second- and third-chance stops with ease. He demonstrated strong positioning skills, including sharp reflexes on slot shots and the ability to make post-to-post saves with agility. Notably, he made several crucial stops during a two-on-one situation in the second period and also prevented a breakaway goal by Hurlbert, which ultimately led to his team scoring at the other end. Banini’s performance suggests he is a technically sound netminder who excels under pressure, capable of making game-changing saves.
1 Viewing
Comments: Goaltender Banini was steady and competitive in the win, stopping 30 shots and making several timely saves in a game that was decided early for the Rockets, but he stayed engaged throughout. He shows quick legs and sharp post-to-post mobility, making him difficult to beat on plays in tight-he stays upright when he goes down and recovers well for rebounds. Banini is proactive handling the puck behind his net, battles hard through traffic, and competes aggressively for loose pucks; his movement is tidy and controlled, rarely overcommitting or coming apart with movement.
Ryan Oothoudt (RW, R, 6’2″, 182, Kelowna Rockets, 02/09/2007, Air Force)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Oothoudt, a 6’3′ right winger who recently arrived from the BCHL, has quickly carved out quality minutes for the Rockets, posting four points (two goals) in six games while averaging just over 11 minutes a night; he’s a good skater with good top-end speed, a hard-working presence on the right side and a force on the forecheck. He consistently engages physically, shows gritty determination in puck battles and is willing to go to the hard areas, but his battle-success numbers have been inconsistent since the jump to the WHL and represent the primary area for improvement if he’s to elevate his game. Offensively his puck skills and on-ice awareness are good – exemplified by an assist when he rolled up the wall on a cycle, drove to the middle and delivered a precise cross-ice feed for a tip-in – making him a promising two-way winger who projects as a dependable depth scorer if his board play tightens up.
Owen Folstrom (C, R, 5’11”, 184, Kelowna Rockets, 03/21/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Folstrom is a skilled and versatile center who excels in various aspects of the game. He possesses strong skating abilities, using speed and strength to drive to the net and win puck battles consistently. His physical presence allows him to be effective on both offense and defense, earning him reliable minutes on power play and penalty kill units. Folstrom’s relentless approach makes him a persistent threat for opposing teams, with a strong wrist shot that can create high-danger chances. While he may not be the biggest player, Folstrom brings excellent edge work, allowing him to withstand and dish out physical play. He shows good top-end speed and quickness through the neutral zone, using his puck skills to challenge defensemen to the outside. His ability to create traffic and scoring chances by attacking the slot is a significant asset.
1 Viewing
Comments: Folstrom, a 6-foot right-shot centre, is a gritty, power-forward type who was rewarded in this game with his 11th and 12th goals by doing what he does best, going to the net: he buried a rebound after driving to the crease for his first and won a stick battle to tip home for his second. He skates low to the ice and is difficult to knock off his feet, giving him the balance to play a physical, body-first game; his speed allows him to be effective on the forecheck (consistently finishing on the body) while his puck-handling lets him drive the attack through the neutral zone and navigate traffic. He also showed a very good, heavy release in this outing. While his season battle win rate sits at about 50% and he logged nearly 13 minutes in this game, Folstrom brings a steady, hard-nosed presence every night and has the flexibility to play up and down the Rockets’ lineup when needed.
Lance Mccloskey (D, R, 5’11”, 192, Vancouver Giants, 09/13/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: McCloskey logged 20+ minutes in this game – top-four minutes for the Giants – and offered a steady, reliable presence on the backend. He displays sound overall skill: confident, effective skating with adequate mobility that lets him hold the neutral zone and step up to break plays early (one such play led directly to an outnumbered attack and the Giants’ first goal). His puck skills and breakout poise are dependable, earning him time on the second power-play unit, while his defensive game is built on sound positioning, gap control and taking away space rather than heavy physicality although, he leans on opponents along the wall and wins roughly 55% of his battles this season. Not flashy, but consistent – a calm, low-panic defenseman who can be trusted with steady minutes.
Brett Olson (C, R, 6’2″, 191, Vancouver Giants, 02/24/2008)
Game Rating
B
Brett Olson showcased a well-rounded skillset on the ice, with a strong hockey IQ that allows him to excel in various situations. He demonstrated good skating mechanics and was a key component of both penalty-killing units, contributing significantly during five-on-five play. Olson’s puck skills and ability to navigate through traffic were evident, particularly as the late man on power-play breakouts. However, he would benefit from refining his skating mechanics to enhance his top-end speed and adding quickness to his game.
1 Viewing
Comments: Olson is a big, emerging right-center who does a lot of the heavy lifting for the Giants and is dependable in all three zones – he sees time at 5-on-5, on the top power play and on the penalty kill – thanks to a high hockey IQ and strong positional play. He skates well with a noticeable top-end and sustained speed, though his acceleration needs work since it currently takes several strides to reach that top speed. Olson is effective across situations because he reads plays quickly (notably cycling the puck down the wall to create a front-door goal) and understands zone possession structure and low-and-slow breakout support. His faceoff win rate sits around 50%, with similar results in board battles, indicating reliability but room to improve physical engagement and acceleration.
Tobias Tomik (LW, L, 6’0″, 196, Vancouver Giants, 12/18/2007)
Game Rating
B
Tomik is a skilled left winger with impressive skating ability and top-end speed, making him a threat on the power-play breakout. He excels at navigating traffic and has good puck skills, but requires space to showcase his full potential. In tight areas and along the boards, Tomik struggles to make an impact, often being outmuscled in battles.
1 Viewing
Comments: Tomik is a stocky left-winger with quick feet, good top-end speed and evasiveness in tight areas – shows poise with the puck and the ability to make plays under pressure; he competes hard on the forecheck, pursues pucks relentlessly, finishes with some physicality and is reliable in his own end (rarely circles and handles the boards well, retrieving pucks and making plays off the wall). He logged 15+ minutes in this game and looks like a dependable, hard-working two-way option, but would benefit from adding another gear to his top end through improved skating mechanics and improving his 40% battle success rate to better leverage his sturdier frame. Overall, a high-effort, puck-skilled winger with clear upside if he tightens his mechanics and increases board/battle effectiveness and bring energy on a more consistent basis.
Blake Chorney (LW, L, 6’0″, 194, Vancouver Giants, 05/13/2009)
Game Rating
B+
Chorney showcases a solid skill set that contributes to his potential as a versatile forward. He excels at carrying the puck and driving attack through the neutral zone, demonstrating good top-end speed and poise. His ability to make plays with puck-handling skills and create separation from defenders is notable. Chorney also possesses a competitive edge, willing to engage in physical battles and pursue puck possession.
1 Viewing
Comments: Chorney is a hard-working, high-energy forward who brings pace to every shift – a strong skater with very good top-end speed that he uses to pressure opponents on the forecheck and finish physically along the boards. He can sustain a high tempo for extended shifts and pairs his mobility with very good puck skills, poise with the puck and patience in possession. In this game he logged 15+ minutes, saw significant power-play time and contributed on the penalty kill, showing versatility in special teams. His recent battle success rate has improved over the past two games, though it sits around 45% for the season and should rise as he matures. Overall, Chorney presents clear upside as a two-way, pace-driving winger with room to grow.
Colton Gerrior (C, R, 6’3″, 200, Vancouver Giants, 10/07/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Colton Gerrior is a promising young centre with a strong combination of size, speed, and skill. He excels at playing with confidence, using his quick hands to make plays in tight spaces. His above-average vision allows him to create scoring opportunities on the power-play unit, where he has shown poise and leadership. However, Gerrior’s overall game is still developing, particularly in terms of quickness and aggression. While he benefits from being trusted in special teams, his contest numbers suggest room for improvement.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gerrior is an intriguing young power-forward prospect who pairs size with very good skating – showing good top-end speed and sound edge work – and plays with noticeable physicality, confidence and poise. He competes on the walls, uses his size and strength to battle on loose pucks, and logged nearly 16 minutes in a top-six role for the Giants while drawing power-play minutes, demonstrating trust from coaching staff. Offensively he possesses a good release and some playmaking skill – notably taking a puck on the wall behind the net on his backhand and delivering a timely – all in one motion pass to the net front for a bang-bang goal – and projects as a looming power forward at higher levels. Defensively he is reliable over 200 feet with adequate reads, but his board-battle technique needs refinement (season success on puck battles sits around 40%), an area with improvement that will contribute a lot to his upside as a power forward.
Joe Iginla (RW, R, 5’10”, 177, Edmonton Oil Kings, 08/13/2008)
Game Rating
B
Iginla is a skilled forward known for his composed and reliable game. He excels as a skater, able to handle traffic and protect the puck effectively along the walls. His physical presence also allows him to find open teammates. In the offensive zone, he demonstrates an understanding of open space, making him effective in various roles.
1 Viewing
Comments: Iginla is a hard-working right winger who logged just over 18 minutes in this game and handled a top-six role for the Giants, featuring on the top power-play unit and contributing on the penalty kill; his skating is strong though he could add another gear for top-end speed, yet he showed quickness in tight spaces and very good puck skills that allow him to make plays while showing poise with the puck. He has a good release when given shooting opportunities and competes hard for loose pucks, consistently hustling and battling to regain possession. Areas for improvement playing with pace more consistently and, his puck-battle success – roughly 40% on the season – where stronger body positioning, leverage and hand placement would boost his overall effectiveness.
Ethan Mittelsteadt (D, L, 6’0″, 186, Vancouver Giants, 12/18/2005, Princeton)
Game Rating
B
Ethan Mittelsteadt’s game is built around his mobility, smart playmaking, and situational awareness, allowing him to effectively contribute to both offense and defense. As a skilled player, he excels at quick exits from the defensive zone, using his puck skills and vision to move the play up ice while maintaining an awareness of teammates and opponents. Mittelsteadt’s ability to read plays and make intelligent decisions with his stick and body position is notable, allowing him to break up chances and win a significant number of puck battles. His physical presence may not be imposing at 5’11’, but he makes up for it with his toughness and grit, battling hard in front of his own net.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mittelsteadt is a 5’11’ left-shot defenseman who quietly does a lot of the heavy lifting for a young Giants club – not flashy, but consistently dependable. He skates well and is mobile, pairing smooth puck skills and effective puck movement; nothing jumps out as elite, but his overall package is very reliable. He competes hard every shift and showed the same gritty effort even when his team fell behind in this lopsided affair, logging just over 21 minutes (top-four among the defensemen) and contributing in all situations, including both the power play and penalty kill while eating solid five-on-five minutes.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images