B.C. Division, U.S. Division

Giants pull out a tough one against the TBirds on Friday night

Written by DUBNetwork on

The Seattle Thunderbirds rolled into the Langley Events Centre for a Friday night encounter with the Vancouver Giants off the heals of a 3-2 victory over the Tri City Americans on Tuesday night at the ShoWare Center. Meanwhile the Giants lost 4-1 to the Kelowna Rockets on Wednesday night at Prospera Place. Vancouver were with out Milos Roman and Darian Skeoch. While the Thunderbirds were missing Sami Moilanen. Seattle started Liam Hughes in net while David Tendeck went for the Giants.

A newer line this season in Benson-Malm-McNabb looked very good early with Malm being foiled on a wrap around backhander less then three minutes in. With Alex Kannok-Leipert being a late scratch, Hunor Torszok drew in and blocked a good scoring chance for the TBirds past five minutes into the game. Just past the 12 minute mark of the first period, David Tendeck robbed Seattle affiliate player Payton Mount on the doorstep on what should have been a sure goal. That save drew some life into a strong crowd at the Laangley Events Centre with a loud cheer after the heroics by the GMen goalie. The WHL champions from last year in Seattle had a couple of late chances but could not finish. After 20 minutes it was scoreless but shaping up to be an excellent second period. Shots finished, 15-11 in favour of the Thunderbirds with the Giants’ Tendeck saving his team a few times. Both teams were 0-for-1 on the extra man.

It was scoreless after 20 minutes at the LEC with lots to play for, and a start-stop beginning to the second didn’t fare well for the flow of the game. Six minutes and 13 seconds into the second period, the Giants broke open the scoring through Ty Ronning. Brayden Watts brought the puck down the left wing and played it in front to Davis Koch who put it on net with Ronning skating by. The puck deflected off Ronning for his 48th of the season and the Giants first of the night. Ronning’s goal tied Evander Kane’s previously held record for 48 in a Giants regular season. Assists went to Davis Koch and Watts at 6:13. There were a couple good scoring chances late on either side that were foiled by the netminders. Despite being down one to nothing, Seattle was up in shots with 34, while the Giants just had 15. After 40, both teams remained 0-for-1 on the powerplay.

The Giants were heavily outplayed in the second period despite leading 1-0, and were trying to extend their lead heading into the final stanza. Just like the first period, the third was a back and forth, chance after chance start. With 11:43 to go, Seattle had not scored on 37 shots on David Tendeck, a solid night for the 18 year old. At 9:33 of the third period, Noah Philip broke down the right side and got a nice pass from Seattle AP Mount. Philip sniped it home for his 12th of the season from Mount and Austin Strand at 10:27. Seattle poured on the pressure late on in the game, but the score remained 1-1 heading into OT.

After a thrilling 60 minutes of action, the two teams in their final meeting at the LEC, went to 3 on 3 overtime. Ty Ronning scored on a backhand in tight on a turnover to win the game 2-1. Goal was at 1:42 and it was his second of the game and 49th of the season. The new record holder for games in a season.

Wrap up:

Shots were 50-21 in favour of Seattle to end the game. Payton Mount of the Thunderbirds was the first star, second star was Ty Ronning with his 2 goals. David Tendeck stole the show for first star stopping 49 of 50 shots faced for his 20th win. Liam Hughes stopped 19 of 21 shots in the loss.

A Giant for 216 WHL games amassing 35 goals and 93 assists for a total of 128 points in Brett Kulak scored his first WHL for the Calgary Flames in New York on Friday night. Also of note 5 Giants Alumni are competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Those players being Jon Blum, Andrej Kudrna, Gilbert Brule, Juraj Valach, and Michal Repik.

Next up the Giants visit the US Division leading Everett Silvertips tomorrow night. Seattle hosts Portland tomorrow night.