Played on Oct 10, 2025
Game Played in Numerica Veterans Arena
General Game Notes: This was a consistent showing from the Chiefs tonight scoring in each period while also shutting out the Wild completely. Obviously team defense was on display tonight with a great individual effort from the Chiefs net minder. This game really was determined in the first goal, a short handed tally that created momentum for the next two periods.
Carter Esler (G, L, 5’10”, 166, Spokane Chiefs, 11/28/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Esler is a smaller goalie who covers a lot of net naturally despite his size. He makes all the routine saves well, and has enough athleticism to make some desperation saves. He missed a couple rims that looked like he could have stopped and started his own transition, with that being said, he looked slow footed but only when going to play the puck, not so much when moving side to side. Where his game is solid is the first save, the second is an area that needs to be addressed in order to limit the second chances. Even though some rebounds were left, he recovered well all night and the shutout was the consequence of that.
Nathan Mayes (D, L, 6’4″, 202, Spokane Chiefs, 06/10/2006)
Game Rating
B-
Nathan Mayes’ value lies in his ability to facilitate transitions by assisting teammates in entering the offensive zone and carrying the puck up the ice. However, his limitations become apparent when transitioning into the offense and defense zones. He struggles to create scoring opportunities and relies on puck-movement skills that don’t translate to producing points. Mayes also lacks a strong defensive stick and defensive instincts, making him vulnerable against top lines. His neutral zone abilities are somewhat offset by these shortcomings. Overall, his skills don’t quite match the potential for him to be an impact player.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mayes does a good job at playing a two way game. He did a lot of little things fine tonight rather than a couple things great. He logs a lot of minutes and with that will come more chances and more reasons as to why he is able to be more productive but for tonight it was his play in his own end that stood out. His ability to keep up with better players and finish their possessions before they are able to create time and space is huge reason why he is so effective in his own end. Tonight, he was not an offensive creator on his own, but his ability to stick with better players and score is really valuable.
Owen Schoettler (D, R, 6’1″, 187, Spokane Chiefs, 01/23/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Schoettler is a puck moving, offensive defenseman who can command the ice with his confidence and how long he can extend the play. Not the point night he was hoping for given his style of play but Schoettler was able to contribute in other ways than just the scoresheet. Where he can get a little ahead of himself is wanting to make the play that needs to end up back door. Too many times tonight he had an easier play to head man the puck and chose to go cross ice rather than a bump into the middle. Most the time this worked for Schoettler but those mistakes can be more costly than they were tonight, fortunately.
Cohen Armstrong (RW, R, 6’0″, 186, Spokane Chiefs, 05/26/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Armstrong is one of the better puck handlers on his team, and shooters on that account, he did not contribute to the score sheet like he wanted too but his game still shows that he is one of the better players on the ice. He uses his size to consistently win board battles against other big forwards and single handedly clear the puck. He absolutely does all the smaller things well like, getting in lanes defensively forcing passes rather than letting shots through, getting pucks deep from the neutral zone instead of allowing a turn over and a rush the other way.
William McIsaac (D, R, 6’3″, 202, Spokane Chiefs, 05/26/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: McIsaac had himself a night opening the scoring on a short handed goal while adding an assist later in the game. The big man found himself loose on a little breakaway where, with out stick handling, beat the goalie low glove with an absolute laser of a shot. He showed on this goal and multiple other attempts, that he can shoot the puck with power and he does not take a shot off. He will fire from a distance and when he is feeling himself from early in the first period, it makes sense why he shoots so often. McIsaac battles hard in the offensive zone, winning a lot of his one on ones and this is due to his size and willingness to be first on the puck.
Asanali Sarkenov (RW, L, 6’3″, 211, Spokane Chiefs, 07/22/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Sarkenov followed up a theme that the Cheifs were clearly following and that was capitalizing on fast breaks with out numbered rushes. Sarkenov scored a nice goal out skating his opponent to the back post where he received a back door feed that he was able to one time over the goalies shoulder. This skilled play is tough due to how much space he had, very little, to get the puck over the goalies shoulder. Sarkenov is a big player who has some solid jump in his game. He can outmuscle for position, play a physical game, and win small area races with body position. He does all this while having a soft touch, and showed this with his goal.
Caden Campion (D, R, 6’1″, 176, Spokane Chiefs, 03/09/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Not entirely known for getting up in the play, Campion scored a nice goal where he was late in the rush and received a cross ice one timer that he was able to blow past the goalie. Given the score of the game at the time might have led to why he felt comfortable enough to jump up but it was a great desction to do so. He uses his solid skating ability to fill the lane that was empty and used that oppurtunity to put any doubts to rest for the other team. Campion defends well with a leading stick but also has the size to play the body. He does a good job at not falling for quick movement from smaller forwards and plays calm.
Mathis Preston (C, R, 5’11”, 177, Spokane Chiefs, 07/21/2008)
Game Rating
A-
Preston’s goal showcased his quick release from a defender in the slot, catching the goalie off guard. His fluid skating ability is noteworthy, allowing him to maintain possession and avoid being bumped off the puck by defenders. Preston’s agility and speed are assets that make it difficult for defensemen to keep up with him. He can quickly transition from his own zone to the neutral zone with ease, forcing defenders to create a safe gap that he can exploit. His lower half is particularly well-suited for quick changes of direction and long strides.
1 Viewing
Comments: Preston scored a nice goal picking up a bouncing puck and one timing home. He was able to get some impressive contact off of this shot considering it came off of a rebound. He’s a legitimately great forechecker and his relentless motor and high work ethic makes him a true asset in the offensive zone. That combined with how well he can stick handle, Preston is a threat with time and space. One of the better assets to his game is how quick he can get moving his feet. The first couple steps he has are explosive enough to beat a lot of other players on the ice in a small race battle.
Mason Kraft (LW, L, 5’9″, 174, Wenatchee Wild, 02/06/2007, Minnesota State)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Kraft was able to show throughout the game that he has soft hands and some great wheels. His speed in small areas is what makes him so effective at attacking the net. Defensively, Kraft is smart and is not one to get caught out of position, but he is also very aggressive offensively and is focused on getting the puck back so he can score. At times tonight, he showed that he will not dig into the corners to win fights for pucks because he is too focused on getting the puck going to the other way.
Blake Vanek (RW, R, 6’2″, 204, Wenatchee Wild, 08/16/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Vanek is a big body who has a combination of being a good skater and having good size. He was able to show tonight that he is also a very intelligent skater and knows how to find free pockets of ice to create time and space to make plays with the puck. He uses his size by driving into opponents opening up the space away from him. By playing tighter to his opponents while still maintaining puck control, he shows a strong awareness of where the open space will develop. Vanek is a skilled player confident with the puck, sometimes he passes up chances looking for the highlight play rather than the easy one.
Darian Rolsing (D, R, 6’5″, 186, Wenatchee Wild, 02/14/2008)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Rolsing is one of the bigger players on the ice and would have to imagine, in the league. With that, he has good strength and an ability to utilize that size and a decent defensive stick to kill opposing chances. Right now, he is not a defensive stalwart, and does not have the lateral movement or awareness to be a true minute eating defensive force, but he can be reliably trusted to play mistake limiting, incredibly physical hockey, the ceiling is high for him to be a shut down force. ? He does not have the puck skills to make an impact as a playmaker, nor does he have the foot speed to be an asset in transition so he keeps his game simple with the puck on and off his stick as quick as he can.
Luka Shcherbyna (C, R, 5’10”, 182, Wenatchee Wild, 06/01/2006, Colgate)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Shcherbyna was able to show tonight that his offensive game is based off of his speed and intelligence, and he is able to get the most out of his above average puck skills despite being undersized. Shcherbyna is also a strong two way forward, and can hold his own with the best of them at the face off dot. He has a relentless motor and and a willingness to get the puck that helps him out in his own end. He is not the pin to the wall type of player but he will be in your face forcing you to make a play.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images