Played on Dec 27, 2025
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The hometown Kelowna Rockets fired 61 shots at Vancouver goaltender Kelton Pyne, but it wasn’t until the third period when they broke through with three goals, beating the Giants 6-4. With three players away at the WJC, the Rockets got contributions from six different players on the score sheet Hayden Paupanekis, Shane Smith, Levi Benson, Mazden Leslie, Hiroki Gojsic, and Jaxon Kehrig all scored. Leonardo Domenichelli scored twice for the Giants.
Levi Benson (LW, L, 5’7″, 156, Kelowna Rockets, 10/04/2007)
Game Rating
B
Levi Benson is a competitive left wing who brings energy and urgency to his game despite being undersized. He has strong top-end speed and quickness, which allows him to effectively enter the zone and pressure opponents on the forecheck. Benson demonstrates reliable puck skills, poise with the puck, and patience in possession, navigating through traffic with ease. His instincts are sound, earning him time on the second power-play unit. Benson showcased his ability to create offense with his speed and quickness, utilizing his slippery puck-handling skills to navigate through tight spaces. He engaged in physical battles and worked for pucks, demonstrating a strong work ethic. While he may not be the most noticeable player without the puck, Benson’s cerebral approach and make-the-play skills are notable.
1 Viewing
Comments: Benson is an undersized, high-energy forward who compensates for his stature with very good top-end speed, quickness in tight, and a shifty puck game that allows him to create in confined areas; he competes hard on the walls and is willing to go to the opposition net-front, using his tenacity and stick work to have some success on pucks despite his size. Defensively he is reliable in his defensive zone coverage, and he contributes on special teams as a regular on the second power-play unit. In this game he logged nearly 18 minutes (about two minutes above his season average) and scored with a textbook top-shelf finish off an offensive zone turnover, showing he can finish chances he creates or inherits. Overall his offensive numbers are not great but with his continued work he could evolve into depth scorer and secondary playmaker who provides value through pace, compete, and reliable two-way play.
William Sharpe (D, L, 6’0″, 197, Kelowna Rockets, 03/07/2007)
Game Rating
B+
William Sharpe is a mobile and well-rounded defenseman whose skating ability and puck skills make him an effective player both offensively and defensively. He excels at handling the puck in transition play and can transport it out of his own zone with ease. Sharpe’s physical edge and competitive nature also contribute to his success, as he competes hard along the boards and pushes back in scrums. While Sharpe has demonstrated growth in his defensive approach, there are areas for improvement. His decision-making without the puck can be inconsistent, particularly on defense, where he may circle instead of making quicker stop-and-start transitions. However, when given the opportunity to play, Sharpe’s overall skill set and ability make him a valuable asset.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sharpe is an elite mobility defender whose high-end skating allows him to be a constant threat on the attack and a dynamic presence in the offensive zone; he uses his speed and quickness, and very good puck skills to jump down off the blue line, quickly find space and create scoring opportunities. He shows strong situational awareness-willing to make the safe play off the glass when a tape-to-tape breakout isn’t available-and has shown a shift towards prioritizing his defensive responsibilities, recovering quickly to get back into position. Sharpe logged over 26 minutes in this game, is trusted in all situations (power play and penalty kill), provides quality, heavy minutes, competes physically, and will engage in the scrums to push back when needed.
Hayden Paupanekis (C, R, 6’5″, 206, Kelowna Rockets, 02/04/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Hayden Paupanekis is a physically gifted centerman with a strong work ethic and competitive drive. He excels at controlling the puck in tight spaces and creating scoring opportunities through his deceptively good puck skills and on-ice vision. While he shows promise, there are areas for improvement, particularly in his skating mechanics and defensive positioning. Paupanekis’s combination of size, skill, and determination makes him a valuable asset, but refinement is needed to maximize his explosiveness and agility. He has the potential to become a well-rounded player with continued development, and his commitment to competing at a high level makes him a constant threat on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Paupanekis is a big, high-energy player who competes, with physically, shift after shift. He pairs his strength with deceptively high-end puck skills, able to make plays in tight areas, drive the attack and finish — as he did in this game when he won a draw, went to the net and buried a rebound. Willing and effective on the walls and in front of the opposition net, he’s a reliable defensive presence overall but should limit excessive circling and adopt more of a stop-and-start approach. Continued refinement of his stride mechanics will accelerate the development of a player with clear upside. On the season he has been successful on just over 50% of his face offs, and on this night, he had 23 minutes in ice time, almost 6 minutes over his season average.
Jaxon Kehrig (C, L, 6’1″, 187, Kelowna Rockets, 08/12/2007)
Game Rating
B
Jaxon Kehrig showcases a solid foundation in his hockey skills, particularly with his skating ability. While he may not be an overly flashy player, Kehrig demonstrates a strong understanding of defensive strategies, including down-low coverage. His willingness to backcheck aggressively and finish physical plays suggests a commitment to playing a responsible game. When in possession of the puck, Kehrig remains composed, avoiding panic, and is able to make intelligent decisions that allow him to create opportunities for his team. This balance of fundamentals and poise positions Kehrig as a reliable contributor on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kehrig is a high-energy, hard-nosed competitor who makes his presence felt every time he’s on the ice; despite limited minutes (6 in this game, ~11 season average) he uses above-average straight-line speed to get in on the forecheck, consistently wins physical battles and drives the net hard to create traffic and scoring chances. He shows a clear understanding of his role—providing pushback and support for teammates, recovering pucks behind the goal and finishing with a quick wraparound goal in this game—and while his sample size is small his impact is immediate and noticeable. His season rates sit just above 50% in both faceoffs and puck battles, indicating a reliable, workmanlike foundation for a depth, penalty-kill or energy-line role.
Rowan Guest (D, L, 6’4″, 212, Kelowna Rockets, 01/31/2006)
Game Rating
B
Rowan Guest is a reliable and dependable defenseman for the Rockets, utilizing his size and physicality to maintain possession and close gaps in the defensive zone. With average skating speed, he efficiently moves around the ice, recovers pucks quickly, and makes competent first passes to initiate breakouts. His puck skills are stable, allowing him to make reliable outlet passes and control the tempo of the game. Guest’s steady play is a key asset on both penalty kill and even-strength minutes. He consistently defends with sound positioning and controlled physicality, using his long reach and timing to cut off attacks in the neutral zone. With growing confidence, he is becoming more willing to carry the puck through neutral ice when space appears, making him an effective option for the Rockets’ defense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Guest — Big, left-shot defenceman who has developed into a reliable five-on-five presence for the Rockets. He plays with increased confidence, routinely making simple, effective outlet passes from the defensive zone or showing the poise to hold the puck until lanes open and then move it. Calm under pressure, he rarely panics, uses the ice in front of him to carry the puck when available, and can make occasional plays in the offensive zone, though his game is primarily on the defensive side of the puck. He plays physical in the defensive zone, and routinely pushes back in net front scrums. In this particular game, he logged top four minutes for his defensive group at about 23 minutes and provided sound penalty killing work. An average skater overall, he would benefit from focused work on skating mechanics to improve quickness, mobility and gap control.
Ryan Lin (D, R, 5’11”, 177, Vancouver Giants, 04/18/2008)
Game Rating
A-
Lin is a well-rounded defenseman who consistently demonstrates a high level of skill and work ethic on both ends of the ice. He excels at reading defensive-zone positioning, making effective decisions to support his teammates or contribute offensively. Lin showcases strong puck skills, including precise passing and reliable first-passing abilities. His mobility and skating ability allow him to seamlessly transition between defense and offense, making him a formidable presence in both zones. Lin’s competitive nature shines through in physical battles, while his strong stick work helps disrupt plays. He is particularly effective on the power play, using his vision and passing prowess to set up teammates for scoring chances. Defensively, Lin’s high hockey IQ enables him to recognize support situations, allowing him to engage the puck carrier aggressively while maintaining sound positional awareness.
1 Viewing
Comments: Lin is an energetic, mobile right-shot defenseman who impacts play every shift with a consistently high compete level; an excellent skater and puck-handler, he moves the puck well, recognizes options, and reliably initiates and supports the attack-willing to lead rushes or join as the next layer and adept at jumping down off the offensive blue line into open space, making smart reads when to do so. Defensively he competes hard on puck battles despite not being the biggest blueliner, posting a roughly 55% battle success rate on the season, and his mobility shows up at the offensive blue line where he quickly repositions across the line and can unleash a quick wrister when space appears. In this game he led the Giants in ice time (25:00) and is a key contributor on both the top power play and penalty kill, providing dependable two-way value.
Tyus Sparks (RW, R, 5’11”, 182, Vancouver Giants, 01/04/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Sparks demonstrates a well-rounded skill set that makes him a promising prospect. He possesses a physical edge, playing bigger than his size, while also showcasing strong puck skills and agility. Sparks is a strong skater with good top-end speed, and his quick hands allow him to attack seams and battle through traffic. Defensively, he is responsible and consistently works hard over 200 feet. On the power play, Sparks effectively uses his speed and strength to make plays, demonstrating confidence and a high hockey IQ. His ability to finish checks and shoot the puck accurately suggests significant upside in his game. With continued development, Sparks has the potential to be a competitive two-way winger with a strong presence on both offense and defense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sparks is a noticeable, high-end forward who skates very well – a powerful, efficient stride with excellent top-end speed, explosive acceleration and the ability to change gears on the attack, all of which cause problems for defenders. He pairs those skating skills with very good puck skills and a heavy release (notably parked in the slot and burying a one time wrister), shows no fear in heavy traffic, and competes hard at the net where he is a reliable finisher and screen/deflection threat. He plays a heavy game, strong along the walls, Sparks protects pucks well and makes plays under pressure; he logged 22 minutes in this game (ice time that has trended upward recently), is a regular contributor on the top power play and can be used on the penalty kill, projecting as a multi-role, impact forward at the next level.
Brett Olson (C, R, 6’2″, 191, Vancouver Giants, 02/24/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Brett Olson is a right-shot center with good skating mechanics and top-end speed, but lacks quickness and explosiveness. His puck skills are solid, particularly in net-front situations where he can recover pucks quickly. However, under pressure, he often struggles to make decisive plays with the puck. He displayed limited physicality and was outmuscled in battles, which is a concern for his game development. To reach the next level, he needs to improve his ability to win boards, maintain possession of the puck in tight spaces, and increase his urgency on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Olson, a 2008-born player, demonstrated a quality 200-foot game, showcasing a high hockey IQ that allows him to excel in various situations. He skates well and is a key component of both the top penalty-killing unit and the second power-play unit and contributing significantly during five-on-five play. Olson’s methodical approach often proves effective, although he showed flashes of being able to elevate his pace, something he should definitely do more of. His puck skills and ability to navigate through traffic were evident, especially as the late man on the power-play breakout. Trusted with important face-offs late in periods, he also displayed a willingness to block shots during the penalty kill. Leading the Giants forward group with over 22 minutes of ice time in this game, Olson would benefit from refining his skating mechanics to enhance his top-end speed.
Blake Chorney (LW, L, 6’0″, 194, Vancouver Giants, 05/13/2009)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Chorney is a promising young forward who logged a 14 minutes of ice time, on his season average, and delivered quality five-on-five minutes for the Giants, showing clear upside across multiple areas. He skates well with good top-end speed, is comfortable carrying the puck and driving the attack through the neutral zone, and displays the poise and puck-handling to make plays and create separation with some shiftiness that caused some trouble for defenders. He also filled a responsible role as the late guy on the power-play breakout, executing it effectively, and brings a competitive, hard-working edge — willing to play physically and pursue puck battles, which resulted in a spirited tussle. His season puck battle win rate is modest (around 40%). Overall, Chorney projects as a multi-tool player who can catalyze transition play and contribute in special-teams and physical roles while still improving his effectiveness in board battles.
Jakob Oreskovic (LW, L, 6’1″, 187, Vancouver Giants, 01/10/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Oreskovic is a skilled forward with good hands and the ability to make plays above the hash marks in the offensive zone. He showcases effective skating and puck-handling skills, particularly when carrying speed through the neutral zone and using evasive moves to evade opponents. On occasion, he demonstrated his scoring potential by creating chances and battling for position on point shots. However, there are areas where Oreskovic can improve, such as initiating the forecheck and finishing checks with more physicality. Oreskovic’s defensive play is also a work in progress, as he struggles to angle well and was beaten one-on-one on several occasions. Additionally, his involvement in the game is sometimes limited, leaving him relying on linemates to carry the load. To elevate his play, Oreskovic will need to be more assertive and engaging on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Oreskovic is a noticeable left-winger with his very good combination of compete, physicality, and high-end skating – he uses his speed to pressure on the forecheck, close gaps, and finish physically along the boards and in front of the net. He’s hard on pucks and willingly goes to the game’s toughest areas both with and without the puck, displaying strong puck-protection and reliable passing vision that enables quick, effective plays in tight. Offensively he’s a useful contributor on the second power-play unit, and defensively he is trusted on the top penalty-killing unit, showing awareness across special teams. While his individual battle-win percentage sits below where it should be, standing at 50% this season, he consistently drives play, logged roughly 18 minutes in this game (in line with his season average), and projects as a high-effort, two-way piece who can tilt momentum through speed, physicality, and smart puck play.
Ethan Mittelsteadt (D, L, 6’0″, 186, Vancouver Giants, 12/18/2005, Princeton)
Game Rating
B+
Ethan Mittelsteadt is a player who embodies toughness and grit, using his physical presence to effectively battle for position in front of his own net and on the walls. His skills extend beyond his rugged play, showcasing impressive mobility and sound decision-making while skating with a “move it first” mentality. This allows him to create scoring opportunities and make plays that can potentially change momentum. Additionally, Mittelsteadt’s versatility is evident as he is utilized on both power-play and penalty-kill units, demonstrating his ability to contribute in various capacities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mittelsteadt is not flashy, but highly effective defenseman on both sides of the puck for the Giants. His game is defined by mobility, smart puck play and consistent situational awareness; a very good skater with smooth puck skills, he routinely quarterbacks quick exits from the defensive zone, using the middle option when there, and moves play up ice while always aware of where teammates and opponents are. At 5’11’ he isn’t a physical presence, but he reads plays well, uses his stick and body position intelligently to break up chances, wins just over half of his puck battles and recovers quickly to rejoin or even lead the rush when the opportunity arises. Trusted on the second power play and on the penalty kill, he averages just over 21 minutes per night and provides a steady, dependable presence on the back end.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images