Played on Feb 28, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in Spokane Arena
Scout: Ben Marshall
General Game Notes: Spokane was able to come a way with a deciding victory tonight. The Wild were first on the board, scoring their first shot of the game to open the game. The Chiefs would not look back after this, scoring five unanswered goals out playing the Wenatchee Wild in almost every aspect of the match.
Dawson Cowan (G, L, 6’2″, 186, Spokane Chiefs, 09/28/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: After a shaky start, Cowan did a great job at collecting himself and responding with a stellar night saving everything but the first shot on net. Cowan did a good job tonight at facing the puck and stopping odd man rushes that came his way. He kept pucks close so he could pounce on second chances that landed at his feet. He needs to improve on his decision making when going back behind his nets for rims, too many times tonight he had some ‘right up’ plays that ended up around the yellow and ultimately became a turnover that went to the point of the opposing defender. As the literal last man back, smaller shorter pucks plays are going to benefit him.
Smyth Rebman (C, R, 5’11”, 180, Spokane Chiefs, 01/20/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Rebman had the best shift of the night on his goal. First scored a nice goal setting up in the high slot where he was able to get a one timer past the goalie. He was able to find some dead space and show that he was cocked ready for a pass. Right before this play, he was on the forecheck and literally bulldozed a player into the goalie which also caused the goalie to have to reset, another reason why this shot was a surpise. He is able to make plays like this all over the ice, he has that type of energy that is hard to keep up with and wants the puck. That combination tonight was a reason why he was one of the better players on the ice.
Brody Gillespie (C, L, 6’1″, 172, Spokane Chiefs, 02/16/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Gilliespie was able to show his ability to shoot the puck, scoring the second goal of the game for his team and ultimatley the game winner. After he caught a deflected puck in mid air, he threw it down to his feet, collected it and with maybe one stick handle, snapped one over the goalies shoulder. The most impressive thing about this goal was how quick it happened and his footwork combined with shooting the puck. He was skating backwards and was able to get this shot off. Gillespie is a standard winger who use his feet first to be effective, he was able to show tonight that he has vision and can see the ice well displaying his head up while still moving at a fast pace.
Chase Harrington (LW, L, 6’0″, 201, Spokane Chiefs, 10/30/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Harrington scored an impressive goal to open the scoring for his team picking up a rebound in the slot and one timing it, on his off side, over the goalies shoulder. A great looking goal that popped out quickly due to the speed and force it went in with. This goal happened because he did not over think the puck or where he was on the ice. Granted, if he missed this, it was going to the other way fast, but he was able to bear down, and used his momentum that he was skating at the puck with to hit it as hard as he could. Harrington has solid size and plays a hard game where he uses his feet and pace to out work the opposition.
Cameron Parr (LW, L, 5’9″, 181, Spokane Chiefs, 09/06/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Parr scored the a dagger on the power play, getting set up in the flanker position and finding a far pad shot that ended up right at his stick. He was able to one time a bouncing puck over the goalies shoulder that added insult to injury. Parr is another smaller quick forward that uses his agility to gain space on defenseman. He actually does a good job at at staying on his feet when a larger defenseman looks to make contact, he can get his hips around himself embracing the contact and actually using it as momentum. One aspect about his game that needs to improve is his descions making when off the rush. Too many times he would cross the blue line, and when up a couple goals, want to make the fancy play that ended up going back down the other way.
Mathis Preston (C, R, 5’11”, 166, Spokane Chiefs, 07/21/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Preston scored a nice goal tonight stripping the puck from a defender in the slot and quickly getting his powerful shot on net with no stick handle. This caught the goalie off gaurd and was a clear reason why the puck was able to find the back of the net. Preston has such a fluid skating ability that he makes it hard for defensemen to bump him off the puck. He stays low and it is noticeable that his lower half is built for both small area agility and long strides. Multiple times tonight he would get the puck in his own zone and with a couple strides, all ready in the neutral zone. This burst of speed forces defenseman to have a safe gap which he can exploit.
Eastyn Mannix (D, L, 6’3″, 195, Wenatchee Wild, 02/28/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Mannix was able to show toniht that he is a big, strong, physical and mean stay at home defenseman. There is nothing fancy about his offensive game and there are players out there with far better hockey sense and passing ability, although his first pass is pretty good, but he is a very valuable player with his determined and tight defensive play. Has good timing in his hits and is quite mobile considering his large frame. One aspect of his game that he needs to control is his running around chasing the pin. Staying stationary and picking his spots is when he is at his best but he showed both sides tonight.
Miles Cooper (LW, L, 5’10”, 165, Wenatchee Wild, 08/04/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Cooper was able to show how deceptive he can be with the puck on his stick and time and space. He did a good job at noticing the defenders feet he was attacking, and looked to make a move when they were crossing their feet, opening up the gap he had to attack with. He had a ton on open ice perimeter set ups and nice moves but ended it at that and looked for the second wave. If he could find more ways to get to scoring areas and take advantage of the chances he created, his game would be a lot more complete. He is on the smaller side but has the footwork to make plays.
Lukas McCloskey (D, R, 6’3″, 205, Wenatchee Wild, 03/25/2005, Army)
Game Rating
B
Lukas McCloskey possesses exceptional mobility, allowing him to explosively accelerate into open spaces on the ice. He exhibits a mix of patience and calculated aggression, effectively using his speed to close in on attackers and create scoring opportunities. When necessary, McCloskey is able to anticipate situations and surprise forecheckers with quick bursts of speed or precision passes to teammates in scoring positions. His unique blend of agility and physicality enables him to navigate tight spaces and beat defenders off the puck, making him a formidable force in front of the net.
1 Viewing
Comments: He is a large, physical defenseman with a defense first mentality. While he is not a major offensive contributor, he excels in his own zone. Improving his skating would enhance his overall game, it is not terrible at all but could be more mobile more often. He has the tools to be a better two way defender than what he was able to show tonight. His limited agility does not need to limit some parts of his offense. Getting shots through the first layer and making smart plays in the offensive zone is going to lead to a longer possession time, and ultimately more points.
Brendan Dunphy (D, L, 6’6″, 202, Wenatchee Wild, 02/02/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Dunphy picked up a nice goal scoring on the first shot of the night for his team. As a late wave, he received a pass cross ice and decided to take a one timer from a bit of a distance. With a little help of a moving screen at the goalie, he was able to combine power and deception to put it pas the goaltender. Dunphy is a big defender who has power within a lot of his game. Whether he is boxing out the net front, or winding up for a slap shot, like his goal, he uses force to dominate in ways that he can. Due to his larger size, his small area footwork needs some help as he was walked over a couple times by smaller forwards with pace. He got his gap exposed a couple times off the rush reaching when he has the size to combat this.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images