Welcome to The Flyers Junior Hockey Prospect Report!
This 6th edition for the 2023-2024 season covers the period that was in the CHL and BCHL from Friday December 27th – Saturday January 13th.
WHL (Western Hockey League)
Carson Bjarnason #64 (G) – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
| SEASON | GP | W | L | SO | MINS | SH | SAV | GAA | SAV% |
| 2023-2024 | 28 | 15 | 13 | 1 | 1622 | 879 | 792 | 3.22 | .901 |
- (Dec. 27) The Brandon Wheat Kings played their first game after the holiday break as they hosted the Regina Pats with Carson Bjarnason getting the start in goal. The opening period saw the Pats score the only goal to lead 1-0 with a powerplay goal. In the second period, Rylen Roersma would tie the game 1-1 with hi 12th goal of the season at 10:01. Regina would strike back with another powerplay goal and an even strength marker to take a 3-1 lead. The third period would see Brandon get inspired by Matteo Michels shorthanded goal at 5:53 to get things started for his 7th of the season. Brett Hyland would tie the game just under two minutes later with his 18th goal; and Roersma would nab his second of the game to give the Wheat Kings a 4-3 lead at 14:26. The Pats would tie the game 4-4 at 17:56 to force overtime, but the winner was scored by Jayden Wiens whose 10th of the season gave Brandon a 5-4 overtime win. Bjarnason allowed 4 goals on 38 shots (34 saves) in the win.
Video courtesy of the Brandon Wheat Kings
- (Dec. 29) Carson Bjanason returned to the net once again as the Brandon Wheat Kings ended their eight game homestand by hosting the Saskatoon Blades. In the first period, Brandon would take a 1-0 lead through Jayden Wiens 11th of the season at 9:01. The Blades would strike twice in quick succession with goals at 1:11 and 2:57 to take a 2-1 lead. In the third period, Bjarnason would stop all 10 shots to keep the Wheat Kings in the game and was rewarded as Luke Shipley scored shorthanded for his 6th of the season at 10:37 to tie the game 2-2. With overtime unable to decide a winner the game would go to a shootout. The Blades would not get one past Bjarnason and Caleb Hadland would score in round seven to give Brandon a 3-2 shootout win over Saskatoon. Carson Bjarnason had a very good outing making 35 saves on 37 shots and allowing only 2 goals in the win. Bjarnason was named he First Star of the game.
- (Dec. 30) The final game of 2023 for the Brandon Wheat Kings saw them travel to face the Regina Pats with Ethan Eskit getting the start over Carson Bjarnason. A five goal first period had the Wheat Kings up 3-2 thanks to goals by Matteo Michels (his 8th at 1:28), Rylen Roersma (his 14th on the powerplay at 2:06), and Brett Hyland (his 19th at 19:03). The second period was much calmer as both sides were scoreless on a combined 14 shots but fireworks ended the frame with Brandon getting penalized with a 10-minute misconduct and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. In the third period, Roger McQueen’s 17th on the powerplay at 3:46 and Carter Klippenstein’s 5th of the season at 8:12 gave the Wheat Kings a 5-2 lead. Regina would score a late powerplay goal but Brandon would end 2023 with a 5-3 win over the Pats.
- (Jan. 1) The Brandon Wheat Kings looked to start 2024 off on a high note as they visit the Saskatoon Blades with Carson Bjarnason getting the start in goal. In the opening period, Saskatoon converted twice on the powerplay to take a 2-0 lead. The Blades would extend their lead to 3-0 with yet another powerplay goal at 7:31 in the second period. A shorthanded goal at 19:30 would end the period 4-0 in favor of Saskatoon. There would be no scoring in the final frame with the Wheat Kings losing 4-0 and getting shutout to enter the new year. Bjarnason took the loss by allowing 4 goals on 39 shots as Saskatoon went 3 for 7 with the man advantage.
- (Jan. 6) Returning home, the Brandon Wheat Kings hosted the Vancouver Giants with Carson Bjarnason getting the night off. The Giants would jump out to a 2-0 lead with a powerplay goal and an even strength marker in the opening period. In the second period, the Wheat Kings outshot the Giants 29-3 but could not solve Vancouver goaltender Brett Mirwald and actually fell behind 3-0 in the frame. A shorthanded empty-netter would ice the game as Brandon got shutout for the second consecutive game as they fell 4-0 to the Vancouver Giants.
- (Jan. 9) The Brandon Wheat Kings hosted the Victoria Royals with Carson Bjarnason getting the start in goal. The Wheat Kings came out blazing in the opening period with a 17-8 shot advantage but trailed 1-0 until 19:37 when Brett Hyland potted his 20th of the season to tie the game 1-1. The Royals would score the only goal of the second period to take a 2-1 lead into the third period. Captain Nate Danielson fresh off his return from the Canadian World Junior team, tied the game with his 12th of the season at 18:39 to force overtime. In overtime, Roger McQueen would register his third assist of the evening as he got a secondary assist on Caleb Hadland’s 9th of the season to give the Brandon Wheat Kings a 3-2 overtime victory. Carson Bjarnason got the win and allowed 2 goals on 27 shots (25 saves).
- (Jan. 12) The Brandon Wheat Kings hosted the Swift Current Broncos with Carson Bjarnason getting the start in goal. In the opening period, Brandon would take the 1-0 lead thanks to Roger McQueen’s 18th of the season at 7:12. The Broncos would tie the game 1:20 later but the Wheat Kings would retake the lead as Brett Hyland scored his 21st of the season in the last minute of play to lead 2-1. Brandon would make it 3-1 at 4:43 of the second period through Hayden Wheddon’s2nd of the season. Swift Current would go on to outshoot Brandon 21-8 and score three consecutive goals to chase Bjarnason from the game after the period ended 4-3 in favor of the Broncos. With backup Ethan Eskit starting the third period, things did not get much better as the Broncos added another three goals to hand the Brandon Wheat Kings a 7-3 loss. Bjarnason was tagged with the loss and allowed 4 goals on 27 shots (23 saves).
Carter Sotheran #59 (D) – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
| SEASON | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | S | PIM |
| 2023-2024 | 37 | 7 | 15 | 22 | +17 | 74 | 48 |
- (Dec. 27) The Portland Winterhawks returned to action from the holiday break as visited the Tri-City Americans. The Winterhawks had a 15-11 shots advantage in the opening period but found themselves trailing 2-0. In the second period both teams would trade goals with Tyson Jugnauth scoring his 1st of the season only 1:05 in to put the Winterhawks on the board and Diego Buttazzoni scoring his 14th at 10:03 with a secondary assist going to Carter Sotheran. A shorthanded goal for the Americans though would make it 4-2 for Tri-City heading into the third period. In the third period, Gabe Klassen scored his 18th of the season to bring Portland back to within one to make it 4-3 at 3:45. After a powerplay goal restored a 5-3 lead for the Americans, things got crazy in the final stages of the period. Buttazzoni scored his second of the game at 18:57 to make it a 5-4 deficit, and then at 19:46 Jack O’Brien tied the game 5-5 with his 14th of the season to force overtime. In overtime, Portland would complete the comeback as Marcus Nguyen was the hero with his 12th of the season to give the Winterhawks a 6-5 overtime win. Sotheran finished the game with 1 assist, an even rating, and 2 SOG.
- (Dec. 28) The Portland Winterhawks began a four game home stand with a game against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Luca Cagnoni got things started for Portland with a powerplay goal (his 6th at 4:58) to lead 1-0. After Seattle tied the game, the Winterhawks would score three times in the period through two goals by Kyle Chyzowski (his 10th and 11th) and a shorthanded goal by Marcus Nguyen (his 13th) to give Portland a 4-1 lead. Carter Sotheran led a nice rush into the offensive zone to pick up a secondary assist on the goal. In the second period, Diego Buttazzoni would score his 16th of the season at 1:41 by tipping in a Sotheran point shot to make it 5-1. Marcus Nguyen would score his second of the game at 4:34 but a Seattle goal would make it a 6-2 game. In the third period the Thunderbirds would score twice to make it 6-4, but Cagnoni’s second of the game into an empty net at 18:24 would make it 7-5. Seattle would score again at 19:29, but the Winterhawks would add another empty-netter to seal an 8-5 victory. Sotheran played in his 100th WHL game and finished with 3 assists, a +4 rating, and no shots on goal.
Video courtesy of the Portland Winterhawks
- (Dec. 31) The Porland Winterhawks looked to end 2023 on a winning note as they hosted the Vancouver Giants. The game was dominated by the Winterhawks as they held strong defensively and only allowed 14 shots on goal. Portland opened the scoring at 9:29 of the first period as Josh Zakreski scored his 12th of the season to make it 1-0. After no scoring in the second period, Josh Davies would score his 24th of the season at 9:13 of the third period to extend the Winterhawks lead to 2-0. James Stefan would add an empty net goal for his 24th of the season and Nick Avakyan would stop all 14 shots as the Portland Winterhawks shutout the Vancouver Giants 3-0. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, a +1 rating, 3 SOG, and 2 PIMs.
- (Jan. 5) The Portland Winterhawks began 2024 by hosting the Everett Silvertips. In the opening period, Everett would lead 2-1 with the Winterhawks goal scored by Josh Davies (his 25th) at 15:28. In the second period, Marcus Nguyen would score a shorthanded breakaway goal (his 15th) at 2:53 to tie the game 2-2. Trailing 3-2, Portland would tie the game again as Josh Zakreski scored his 13th of the season at 11:19. Portland entered the third period trailing 4-3, but Marcus Nguyen scored his second shorthanded goal of the night at 19:22 to tie the game 4-4. Overtime could not decide the game and in the shootout the Winterhawks would score twice to take a 5-4 shootout decision over the Silvertips. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, a +2 rating, and 2 SOG.
- (Jan. 6) The Portland Winterhawks hosted the Prince George Cougars at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Josh Davies would open the scoring for the Winterhawks with a powerplay goal (his 26th) at 15:02, but the Cougars would tie the game 1-1. In the second period the Cougars would take a 2-1 lead only 39 seconds in, but Gabe Klassen’s 19th on the powerplay at 7:15 tied the game 2-2. In the third period James Stefan added yet another powerplay goal (his 25th) at 4:11 to take a 3-2 lead. Prince George would tie the game once again but the Winterhawks would get a game-winner from Josh Davies whose second of the game at 19:00 gave Portland a 4-3 win. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, a -2 rating, 1 SOG, and 4 PIMs (Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Roughing).
- (Jan. 12) The game between the Portland Winterhawks and the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds was postponed and will be made up at a later date due to winter weather conditions creating issues for both teams and game officials to get to the arena.
QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
Matteo Mann #76 (D) – Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
| SEASON | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | S | PIM |
| 2023-2024 | 21 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 35 |
- (Dec. 28) The Saint John Sea Dogs visited the Cape Breton Eagles with Matteo Mann not dressed for the game. The opening period was evenly contested as the Eagles struck first but the Sea Dogs tied the game 1-1 through Brody Fournier’s 14th goal at 16:21. The second period was disastrous for the Sea Dogs as they allowed 6 goals on 20 shots and saw starting goaltender Justin Robinson get chased and dug themselves a 7-1 hole. Saint John would score 10 seconds into the third period as Kency Pierre-Noel scored his 4th of the season and would add a powerplay goal from Fournier for his second of the game at 15:27, but Cape Breton pummeled Saint John 10-3.
- (Dec. 30) The Saint John Sea Dogs traveled to face their provincial rival the Moncton Wildcats with Matteo Mann not in the lineup once again. Both teams would score twice in the opening frame as Pavel Simek scored his 13th at 6:46 on the powerplay and Mathis Gauthier scored his 5th at 19:36 to make it 2-2. The wheels fell off for the Sea Dogs in the remainder of the game as they would not score again and allow two goals in the second and three goals in the third on route to a 7-2 drubbing at the hands of the Moncton Wildcats.
- (Dec. 31) After two straight blowout losses, the Saint John Sea Dogs looked to end 2023 on a positive note as they hosted the Acadie-Bathurst Titan at TD Station. The Titan would strike with 3 seconds left in the period to take a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Noah Reinhart would tie the game 1-1 with his 14th goal of the season at 4:35. But Acadie-Bathurst would get two even strength goals by Joseph Henneberry to take a 3-1 lead. In the final frame, Coen Miller would bring Saint John to within a goal with his 3rd of the season at 18:32 but the Titan would ice the game with an empty net goal to defeat the Sea Dogs 4-2. Matteo Mann did not play in the game.
- (Jan. 4) The Saint John Sea Dogs hosted the Charlottetown Islanders with Matteo Mann once again not on the game sheet. The opening period was scoreless but the Sea Dogs did outshoot the Islanders 10-9 in the frame. Charlottetown would open the scoring in the second period at 2:58, but Saint John would tie the game 1-1 at 4:29 with a powerplay goal by Joseph Ianniello (his 3rd of the season). Charlottetown though would exit the period with a 2-1 lead. In the third period, Saint John once again tied things up 2-2 with Drew Elliot’s 9th of the season at 12:57. The remainder of regulation and overtime failed to crown a winner, and in the shootout Pavel Simek would score for the Sea Dogs but the Islanders would score twice to hand Saint John a 3-2 shootout loss.
- (Jan. 5) The back end of the home and home set saw the Saint John Sea Dogs travel to Prince Edward Island to face the Charlottetown Islanders. Once again in this game there would be no scoring in the opening period and the Islanders would strike first to take a 1-0 lead in the second period. That scoreline would remain until 12:40 of the third period as Vince Elie knotted the game up 1-1 with his 15th of the season. 2:45 seconds later the Sea Dogs would take a 2-1 lead as Drew Elliot scored for the second consecutive night (his 10th). Patrick Leaver was excellent in goal and Elliot’s goal was the game-winner as Saint John downed Charlottetown 2-1. Matteo Mann did not play in the game.
- (Jan. 7) The Saint John Sea Dogs hosted the Moncton Wildcats with Matteo Mann returning to the lineup. Things started positively for Saint John as they took the 1-0 lead in the opening period through Egan Beveridge’s 6th of the season at 5:17. The Wildcats would tie the game 1-1 in the second period but Pavel Simek restored the 2-1 lead for the Sea Dogs at 10:28. Moncton would score a late goal to tie the game 2-2, and then blew the doors off in the third period with 4 goals on 14 shots to soundly defeat Saint John 6-2. Mann finished the game with no points, a -2 rating, 1 SOG, and 2 PIMs.
- (Jan. 11) In the second game of a five game homestand, the Saint John Sea Dogs hosted the Rimouski Oceanic. The Sea Dogs would only manage 4 shots in the opening period but escaped the period tied 0-0. The second period saw another lopsided period for shots in favor of Rimouski, but they scored twice in the frame to take a 2-0 lead. With shots even 10-10 in the third period, the Oceanic put the game away with another two goals to shutout the Saint John Sea Dogs 4-0. Matteo Mann finished the game with no points, an even rating, an no SOG.
- (Jan. 13) The Saint John Sea Dogs hosted the Victoriaville Tigres at TD Station. In the opening period, the Sea Dogs would open the scoring at 15:22 with Coen Miller’s 4th of the season coming by way of the powerplay to lead 1-0. In the second period, Saint John took a 2-0 lead with another powerplay goal by Nate Tivey (his 4th) at 5:14. The Sea Dogs would get outshot in all three periods to the tune of 36-18, but goaltender Patrick Leaver put in another good performance by only allowing one goal midway through the third as Saint John would defeat Victoriaville 2-1. Matteo Mann finished the game with no points, a -1 rating, 1 SOG, and 2 PIMs.
OHL (Ontario Hockey League)
Oliver Bonk #59 (D) – London Knights (OHL)
| SEASON | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | S | PIM |
| 2023-2024 | 33 | 12 | 32 | 44 | +5 | 84 | 20 |
Denver Barkey #86 (RW) – London Knights (OHL)
| SEASON | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | S | PIM |
| 2023-2024 | 39 | 24 | 40 | 64 | +29 | 131 | 16 |
- (Dec. 28) The London Knights visited the Sarnia Sting with Oliver Bonk still overseas playing for Canada at the WJHC. Denver Barkey had his wrist shot from the point tipped in by Max McCue for his 13th of the season at 9:50. After Sarnia tied the game, another powerplay goal through the legs for McCue at 17:20 assisted again by Barkey would give the Knights a 2-1 lead. In the second period, McCue would get the hat-trick with a shorthanded goal at 6:31 to extend the lead to 3-1. Barkey would then score a shorthanded goal by demonstrating his burst of speed to get past a defender and slide home his 18th of the season only 1:02 later to make it 4-1. In the third period with a 4-2 lead, London would get goals by Sam O’Reilly on the powerplay (his 9th) and Ruslan Gazizov shorthanded (13th) that were both assisted by Barkey to convincingly defeat Sarnia 6-2. Barkey finished the game with 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points, a +2 rating, and 3 SOG. Barkey was named the Second Star of the game.
Video courtesy of the London Knights
Video is courtesy of the London Knights
Video is courtesy of the London Knights
- (Dec. 29) The London Knights hosted the Sarnia Sting for the second half of their home and home set. In the opening period, Max McCue continued his scorching form by scoring two goals (his 16th and 17th) to make it 9 consecutive games with a goal and giving London a 2-0 lead. In the second period, it was Sam Dickenson’s turn to score a double as he nabbed two powerplay goals (both assisted by Denver Barkey) for his 9th and 10th goals of the season only 1:27 apart to give the Knights a 4-0 lead. In the third period, Sarnia goal a goal back at 12:12, but Ruslan Gazizov responded immediately with his 14th of the season 18 seconds later to give the London Knights a 5-1 win over the Sting. Barkey finished the game with 2 assists, an even rating, and 6 SOG.
- (Dec. 31) The London Knights hoped to end 2023 on a high note as they hosted the Flint Firebirds. In the opening period the Firebirds jumped out to a 2-0 lead but Denver Barkey would start and finish the play to score his 19th of the season on the powerplay with only 8 seconds remaining to make it 2-1. In the second period, Jacob Julien scored his 15th of the season on the powerplay to make it a 2-2 game at 7:21. After Flint retook the lead, London would get goals from Sam Dickenson (his 11th at 14:59 on the powerplay) and Ruslan Gazizov (his 15th at 18:30) to take a 4-3 lead. In the third period, London would get an insurance goal from Sam O’Reilly (his 10th at 11:08) to give the Knights a 5-3 victory over the Firebirds. Barkey finished the game with 1 goal, an even rating, and 4 SOG.
Video courtesy of the London Knights
- (Jan. 3) The London Knights hosted the Erie Otters as the Knights homestand continued. It didn’t take long for the Knights to take a 1-0 lead as Evan Van Gorp pounced only 10 seconds in for his 1st OHL goal. At 16:01, Denver Barkey looked up and sprang Landon Sim for a shorthanded breakaway goal (his 5th) to give London a 2-0 lead. In the second period, Sim struck again by firing home his second of the game from the slot at 3:57 to make it 3-0. After the Otters got on the board, Barkey would pick up his third helper of the game by going behind the net and setting up Ruslan Gazizov’s 16th of the season at 19:37 to make it 4-1. In the final frame, Gazizov would add a powerplay goal for his second of the game at the London Knights defeated the Erie Otters 5-1 even though they only registered 18 shots on goal. Barkey finished the game with 3 assists, a +3 rating, and 2 SOG. Barkey was named the game’s Third Star.
- (Jan. 5) The London Knights hosted the Barrie Colts as Oliver Bonk retuned to the lineup following Canada’s exit at the WJHC. After a scoreless first period, Sam O’Reilly would put the Knights ahead 1-0 with his 11th of the season at 1:23 of the second period. The Knights made it 2-0 with Jared Woolley’s 3rd of the season at 6:55. On the powerplay, Bonk finished off a give and go with Jacob Julien and went to the net to score in his return game (his 7th) at 16:06 to make it 3-0. In the third period, Easton Cowan also scored on his return from the WJHC as his 13th of the season made it 4-0 at 4:13. On the powerplay, projected 2024 1st Round prospect Sam Dickenson blasted home a point shot for his 12th at 8:01. Van Gorp scored his second of the game to give the Knights a 6-0 lead. The Colts would score twice in the remainder of the game, but London would win their 8th straight game by a score of 6-2. Bonk finished the game with 1 goal and a 1 assist for 2 points, a +2 rating, and 8 SOG. Denver Barkey ended up with no points, an even rating, 2 SOG, and 2 PIMs.
Video courtesy of the London Knights
- (Jan. 6) The London Knights put their 8-game winning streak on the line as they visited the Mississauga Steelheads. Sam O’Reilly continued to stay hot as he scored his 12th of the season at 5:52 to give London the lead, but Mississauga would tie the game 1-1 later in the period. In the second period, goals from Jacob Julien (his 16th at 5:56 from center ice) and Easton Cowan (his 14th at 10:31) would put the Knights up 3-1. The Steelheads would cut the lead to one, but Sam Dickenson’s 13th at 13:03 would make it a 4-2 game. Mississauga would come to within one again but in the third period while killing a penalty, Oliver Bonk would poke check the puck into the neutral zone sending Denver Barkey in on a shorthanded breakaway where he would make no mistake for his 20th at 11:56 to give the Knights their 9th win their in a row by a score of 5-3. Bonk finished the game with 1 assist, +3 rating, 2 SOG, and 2 PIMs. Barkey ended up with 1 goal, a +1 rating, and 4 SOG. Barkey was named the First Star of the game.
Video courtesy of the London Knights
- (Jan. 10) The London Knights were looking to make in 10 wins in a row as they visited the Sarnia Sting. The Knights scored early and often starting with Sam O’Reilly once again opening the scoring for his 13th of the season at 1:01. Oliver Bonk made it 2-0 with yet another powerplay goal from the slot for his 8th of the season at 8:55. Bonk picked up two assists on goals by Kaeden Johnston (his 5th at 11:46) and Jacob Julien’s shorthanded goal at 14:17. Denver Barkey would get in on the scoring with an assist on Julien’s second of the game (his 18th at 19:11) to put London up 5-0. In the second period, Bonk would score his second of the game at 10:10 with a wrist shot from the right circle to make it 6-0. In the third period with the game 6-1, Barkey would score his 21st of the season at 3:26 with fellow Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk picking up a helper. Th Knights would indeed win their 10th in a row as they crushed the Sarnia Sting 9-2. Bonk finished the game with 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points, a +2 rating, and 4 SOG. Barkey ended up with 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points, a +4 rating, and 4 SOG. Bonk was named the game’s Second Star while Barkey was the Third Star in a great performance by both Flyers prospects.
Video courtesy of the London Knights
Video courtesy of the London Knights
Video courtesy of the London Knights
Video courtesy of the London Knights
- (Jan. 12) The London Knights hoped to extend their winning streak to eleven games as they hosted the Saginaw Spirit. In the first period, Easton Cowan got the Knights the 1-0 lead as he scored his 15th of the season at 8:56. At 12:04, Oliver Bonk would score a powerplay goal from his familiar spot in the slot for his 10th of the season to make it 2-0. In the second period, Kaleb Lawrence would make it 3-0 with another powerplay goal (his 11th) only 1:08 into the period. Sam O’Reilly continued his good play as he scored his 14th of the season with Bonk picking up a secondary assist at 10:11 to make it 4-0. After Saginaw got a goal back, London would add a William Nichol goal (his 5th) in the final minute to lead 5-1. In the third period, the only goal was scored by Denver Barkey (his 22nd at 2:10) as he swiped in a rebound following a two-on-one. The London Knights would win their 11th straight as the Knights defeated the Spirit 6-1. Bonk finished the game with 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points, a +1 rating, and 3 SOG. Barkey ended up with 1 goal, a +1 rating, and 7 SOG.
Video courtesy of the London Knights
BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League)
Ryan MacPherson #7 (C) – Penticton Vees (BCHL)
| SEASON | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2023-2024 | 28 | 11 | 18 | 29 | 0 |
- (Dec. 30) The Penticton Vees hit the road as they took on the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. In the opening period, it was the home side that went up 2-0 even though the Vees outshot Salmon Arm 10-6. In the second period, Anselmo Rego got the Vees on the board with his 4th of the season at 2:48. 2:10 later, the Vees would tie the game 2-2 as Thomas Pichette scored his 8th of the season. The Vees would take the lead at 11:36 by capitalizing on the man advantage as Billy Renfrew popped his 8th of the season on the powerplay. The Silverbacks would tie and then take the 4-3 lead with two even strength goals to end the frame with a 4-3 lead. In the third period, both sides could not generate much offense as the teams combined for only 9 shots as Salmon Arm hung on to defeat the Penticton Vees 4-3. Ryan MacPherson did not register a point in the game.
- (Dec. 31) The Penticton Vees looked to end 2023 on a winning note as they visited the Vernon Vipers. In the opening period the Vees outshot the Vipers 9-4 but neither side could get on the scoresheet. In the second period, the Vees would break the scoreless tie as Callum Arnott scored his 16th of the season at 2:59 to give Penticton a 1-0 lead. In the third period, the Vees dominated the shots 13-4 and were rewarded with goals by Zack Stringer (his 3rd on the powerplay at 12:48, and his 4th into an empty net while shorthanded at 18:39) to make it 3-0. Andrew Ness stopped all 19 shots for the shutout as the Vees defeated the Vipers 3-0. Ryan MacPherson did not register a point in the game and picked up his first minor penalty of the season with 2 PIMs.
- (Jan. 5) The Penticton Vees played their first game of 2024 as they visited the Prince George Spruce Kings. The Vees outshot the Spruce Kings 10-5 but found themselves down 2-0 on an even strength goal and a powerplay goal. The second period was disastrous to Penticton as Prince George would score five goals and chase Vees goaltender Will Ingemann from the game and make it 7-0. In the third period, the Vees played for pride and scored four goals on 19 shots through Callum Arnott (his 17th), Billy Renfrew (his 9th), and Cade Littler (his 4th and 5th) to finish the game with a 7-4 loss. Ryan MacPherson did not register a point in the game.
- (Jan. 6) The Penticton Vees were looking for revenge as they hosted the Prince George Spruce Kings in the back half of the home and home set. Thomas Pichette would open the scoring with his 9th of the season at 4:57 to put Penticton up 1-0. Prince George would tie the game 1-1 at 12:15, but 10 seconds later Ryan MacPherson would score his 12th of the season to make it 2-1. At 19:19, Thomas Pichette would score his second of the game on the powerplay to give the Vees a 3-1 lead. There would be no scoring in either the second or third periods despite a combined 33 shots on goal as the Penticton Vees defeated the Prince George Spruce Kings 3-1. Ryan MacPherson finished the game with 1 goal and 2 PIMs.
- (Jan. 12) The Penticton Vees returned home to face the Vernon Vipers. In the opening period, Zack Stringer scored his 5th of the season at 12:54 to give the Vees a 1-0 lead. In the second period, the Vees would double their lead at 3:13 as Connor MacPherson would score a powerplay goal for his 7th of the season to make it 2-0. Vernon would break Andrew Ness’ shutout bid at 2:21 of the third period, but the Penticton Vees defeated the Vernon Vipers 2-1. Ryan MacPherson did not register a point in this game.
- (Jan. 13) The Penticton Vees hosted the visiting Cranbrook Bucks at the South Okanagan Events Centre. The Vees would find themselves down 1-0 at 5:09 after allowing a powerplay goal but responded 1:16 later as Connor MacPherson scored his 8th of the season to tie the game 1-1. In the second period, Connor MacPherson would score his second of the game only 17 seconds in and Billy Renfrew would tally a powerplay goal at 8:43 (his 10th) to give the Vees a 3-1 lead. In the third period, Penticton would get goals by James Fisher (his 14th at 3:05) and a powerplay goal by Billy Renfrew (his second of the game at 10:21) to defeat the Cranbrook Bucks 5-1. Ryan MacPherson did not register a point in this game.
***
Hope you enjoyed this edition of The Flyers CHL Prospect Report.
Feel free to leave any comments or feedback via twitter or at www.brotherlypuck.com.
Until next time from BrotherlyPuck.com,
I remain,
Manny Benevides
brotherlypuck.com 