Despite getting zero points credited, I thought Mathis was Rink K’s best forward in this game. He should have gotten a secondary assist off a faceoff win against Red Deer but that’s fine. His defensive game was solid; backchecking in the neutral zone, beating players to inside positioning, and giving second effort on plays with nice pokes. His fluid skating stride makes him able to separate and give himself lead chip passes around players into open space. From drop passes, slip passes, and a few heavy shot releases, Mathis was certainly giving you that two-way upside that I’ve seen in the past. He knows how to create a bit more space for his teammates but sometimes doesn’t take the burden of scoring on himself as much.

Paull is such a handful at this level and Manitoba had no real counter to him other than containment. Once he had possession it was really up to him when he decided to give it up as he used his posterior to shield and strength to separate. Manitoba was already short defenceman in this contest, and it was a miracle they didn’t lose anyone else as Paull was hammering them on the forecheck all night. In the war of attrition over a playoff series it is easy to see the impact Paull could have as he wears down the opponent.

Paull is a throwback to a different era as a true power forward. He is such a handful to slow down as he barrels his way interior with a great blend of strength and finesse. He excels as a set-up man, maintaining vision even when leaning against contact, understanding the attention he’s drawing, before finding his open linemate. He has soft hands in tight and that combination of puck-handling and brawn makes him incredibly difficult to strip of possession. Paull’s ability to eat possession deep in the offensive zone on the cycle was key to wrapping a bow on the victory late in the third period. You could feel the frustration from Alberta as he wasted precious seconds.