Played on Feb 21, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The difference in this game was the hometown Kelowna Rockets inability to score on three first period powerplays against the visiting Vancouver Giants. To make matters even worse they gave up a shorthanded goal by Montreal draft pick Tyler Thorpe on one of them. Leading the way for the Giants was Jaden Lapinski who had two goals and two assists while Burke Hood was steady in the net stopping 33 shots.
Will Sharpe (D, L, 6’0″, 195, Kelowna Rockets, 03/07/2007)
Game Rating
C+
This defenseman possesses a well-rounded skill set, highlighted by solid skating ability and mobility that enables him to effectively join the attack or evade opponents with the puck. His puck skills are strong, allowing him to make smart first passes and handle the puck well in various situations. However, he tends to prioritize offense over defense at times, particularly on the ice. Sharpe is a dynamic player who excels when engaging in offensive scenarios, showcasing his ability to create scoring opportunities from the back end and set up teammates for goals. He also has good gap control in the neutral zone, making defensive responsibilities easier. While he demonstrates an understanding of puck movement, there are moments where he gets overly aggressive and compromises his defensive positioning. To elevate his game, Sharpe will need to balance his offense-minded approach with a stronger focus on defense. By doing so, he can unlock his full potential as a two-way player at the next level.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sharpe is a smooth-skating, offensively gifted defenseman whose potential is evident, though he faced challenges in his defensive game during this outing, finishing with a -4 rating. While he has displayed solid defensive capabilities in one recent game as noted, tonight was marked by poor decision-making in key situations. He struggled with reading the attack on two of the goals against, while on another one he made a soft play throwing the puck up the wall that resulted in a turnover and goal, and the other stemmed from losing a stick/puck battle at his defensive blueline, leading to a breakaway goal. Despite these missteps, Sharpe’s skating ability and puck-handling skills are noteworthy, and if he can sharpen his focus and be more consistent on defensive details and situational awareness, he has the potential to develop into a more well-rounded player.
Ryan Lin (D, R, 5’11”, 170, Vancouver Giants, 04/18/2008)
Game Rating
A
This player is a dynamic defensemen with a high-end skill set, showcasing exceptional hockey IQ and offensive instincts. He possesses elite skating ability, allowing him to seamlessly transition between offense and defense, and effectively navigate through the neutral zone. His playmaking skills are highlighted by crisp first passes and driving attacks, as well as his competitive nature in puck battles. Defensively, he demonstrates physicality while maintaining solid down-low coverage and the ability to push back against larger opponents. On offense, his puck handling is impressive, particularly at the blue line where he showcases precision and poise under pressure. His versatility and trust from coaching staff are evident through his roles on both top power-play and penalty kill units.
1 Viewing
Comments: Lin is a dynamic 2008 right-shooting defenseman who consistently exemplifies hard work and determination on the ice. His high energy and excellent skating ability make him a formidable presence in both the offensive and defensive zones. Lin showcases a complete skill set, highlighted by his precise tape-to-tape passing while often using the look-away technique, allowing him to deceive opponents and create scoring opportunities. His competitive nature shines through in physical battles during the down low defensive zone coverage, while his strong stick work helps him effectively disrupt plays. As the quarterback of the top power-play unit, Lin’s vision and passing prowess are on full display, consistently setting up teammates for prime scoring chances, such as feeding Leslie, as he did several times on this night, where he can unleash his one timer. As mentioned he is used extensively on not only the top power play but also on the top penalty killing unit and, was second in ice time only to his overage defense partner Leslie with 22:31. Defensively, his high hockey IQ allows him to recognize when he has support, enabling him to engage the puck carrier aggressively while maintaining sound positional awareness. Overall, Lin is a highly skilled defenseman with a very promising future ahead.
Tyus Sparks (RW, R, 5’11”, 200, Vancouver Giants, 01/04/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Sparks, a promising 2008-born center/right winger, showcases decent speed, strength, and skill that makes him a notable prospect. While standing at 5’11’ but weighing a solid 195 pounds, he possesses a sturdy frame that allows him to be tough to knock off the puck, particularly along the boards where he already (considering his age) was very effective at protecting the puck and making plays with both poise and quickness when needed. While his skating mechanics could use some refinement to enhance his already decent top speed, he demonstrates good balance and agility on his skates. During the game, Sparks was elevated to a higher line and contributed nearly three minutes on the power play where he displayed confidence and a strong hockey IQ. He also showed he knows how to find quiet ice and that he can shoot the puck quite well, as he scored off of a nice one timer. His ability to finish checks and play with pace, combined with his impressive work along the walls and good offensive tools indicates a player with significant upside and an opportunity to have success in the league, as he continues to develop his game.
Maxim Muranov (RW, L, 6’2″, 188, Vancouver Giants, 06/02/2004, Niagara)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Muranov is an impressive big-bodied forward who showcases a smooth skating stride and and has good top-end speed, making him a key asset on the Giants’ top line. His ability to contribute effectively in all situations—five-on-five, power play, and penalty kill—demonstrates his versatility and commitment to the game as he led all forwards with almost 19 minutes of ice time. Muranov leverages his size to consistently challenge opposing defensemen with his speed and aggressively attacking the middle of the ice. He is a bigger, solid player but could benefit his game by being more physical on the walls and in net front battles. He has some offensive upside with good hands, as evidenced by his 32 points in 47 games played thus far in the season. He does have a good understanding of both offensive and defensive responsibilities, establishes him as a sound 200-foot player, capable of making significant impacts in various game scenarios. He will be a solid contributor at the university level and will benefit from continued development.
Cameron Schmidt (RW, R, 5’7″, 161, Vancouver Giants, 01/19/2007)
Game Rating
B
Cameron Schmidt showcases an elite offensive skill set that sets him apart from his peers. His high-end skating ability allows him to drive the offense through the neutral zone with impressive speed, creating space for himself to unleash quick releases or draw defenders in to set up teammates. Schmidt’s lateral mobility and acceleration enable him to maintain speed and change direction on a dime, making him difficult to handle down low in the offensive zone. Schmidt’s combination of skill, intensity, and resilience makes him a valuable asset on the ice. He thrives on physical engagement, using it to fuel his performance, but also has a high level of situational awareness that allows him to make smart plays. While he may still work on winning battles for the puck, Schmidt’s gifted ability to read the game and make plays with precision makes him an offensive threat every time he’s on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Schmidt is an intriguing talent with a blend of quick hands and feet that makes him a significant offensive threat, particularly on the power play for the Giants. His passing skills are top-notch, consistently delivering hard and flat passes that create scoring opportunities for his teammates. However, during this game he appeared somewhat subdued and struggled to find his rhythm, likely impacted by limited ice time in the first period due to his team’s penalty troubles, and him not being a penalty killer. This lack of involvement seemed to affect his puck handling and his usual ability to make plays, which is uncharacteristic for a player of his caliber. With just over 16 minutes of ice time he was able to win 50% of his battles. While his elite talent and upside is clear, he will need to work on maintaining engagement and consistency, especially during games with fluctuating ice time.
Adam Titlbach (C, L, 5’9″, 164, Vancouver Giants, 02/15/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Titlbach is an intriguing prospect standing at just 5’9′, who’s small stature is offset by an impressive combination of speed and puck skills that make him a dynamic offensive threat. His quick feet and hands allow him to navigate through tight spaces with ease, often driving the attack and forcing defenders to back off. Titlbach’s skating ability is complemented by his vision on the second power play unit, where he demonstrates excellent passing skills and an innate ability to locate open teammates. His quick release and accuracy are evident in his scoring ability, as showcased on a breakaway he engineered himself by winning a stick/puck battle at the offensive blue line. This brings his goal total to 24 on the season in 55 games. Overall, Titlbach’s blend of agility, vision, and scoring prowess makes him a valuable asset capable of contributing at higher levels of play.
Mazden Leslie (D, R, 6’0″, 201, Vancouver Giants, 04/15/2005, Bowling Green)
Game Rating
A-
Leslie is a skilled two-way defenseman with notable improvements in his game. He possesses excellent acceleration, allowing him to evade forecheckers and maintain possession in the offensive zone. His poise and decision-making as a playmaker are evident, as seen in his heavy one-timer goal on the power play. In the defensive zone, Leslie’s hockey IQ and vision come into play, facilitating effective breakouts with his use of the middle 10-foot bump pass. His improved body positioning and stick handling down low defensively have reduced passing lanes for opponents. As a leader on both the top penalty killing unit and number one power-play unit, Leslie brings value to his team through his overall game. His combination of skill and defensive awareness makes him worth considering as a contributor at the professional level.
1 Viewing
Comments: Leslie delivered a very good performance tonight, showcasing his trademark high-energy style that keeps him consistently involved in the play. Logging nearly 24 minutes on the ice, he was a constant offensive threat, adeptly maneuvering in the offensive zone to exploit openings while also unleashing his powerful one-timer on the power play. His impressive mobility allowed him to navigate the ice seamlessly, and he demonstrated increased physicality this game, effectively winning puck battles and utilizing solid body positioning during races for the puck. Defensively, Leslie showed a commitment to hard work, managing to make plays and maintain a strong presence in his own zone. Overall, his combination of offensive creativity, physical play, and defensive responsibility will make him a very valuable asset at the university level.