Adam Kierszenblat
B.C. Division, Game Recap

Giants Defeat Cougars in 2021-22 Home Opener

Written by Adam Kierszenblat on

In the first Vancouver Giants game at the Langley Event Centre in 588 days, fans left happy as the home team walked away with a 6-4 victory of the Prince George Cougars. The game was physical to the end as these two rivals played hard throughout the night. The Giants are now 2-0 on the season while the Cougars fall to 0-2.

Game Recap

The Giants fell behind midway through the first 1-0 after Mitch Kohner found Carter MacAdams crashing the net. The Cougars had excellent puck movement behind the net, which led to the goal. The Giants would then go on to score three straight in just over five minutes.

First, it was Adam Hall who was able to get a second shot off after the first was blocked to beat Taylor Gauthier. Next, after a mad scramble in the crease, captain Justin Sourdif buried one on the power play. The third goal by Ty Thorpe came off a faceoff win where he was able to deflect a Mazden Leslie shot in the slot. The Giants led 3-1 going into the second.

Second Period

The Cougars were able to tie things up thanks to goals by Kyren Gronick and Hudson Thorton. It wasn’t until 12:31 into the second that the Giants got the lead back thanks to a first career WHL goal from Ethan Semeniuk. The goal featured an all 05′ born stat line as Leslie and Ty Halaburda drew the assists.

Semeniuk crashed the net and was able to pick up the rebound off of Lezlie’s initial shot. The goal was nice, but the celebration will be remembered as Semeniuk was fired up to pot his first career WHL goal. The Giants led 4-3 after the second.

Third Period

The Giants scored twice more in the third to increase their lead. Adam Hall got his second after Sourdif banked the puck off him and into the net. The goal was initially credited to Sourdif, but it was determined to go off Hall and into the net on closer review.

Lastly, Justin Lies got in on the fun with a beautiful goal set up by Thorpe. The two executed a two-on-one to perfection and beat Gauthier to make it 6-3. The Cougars made it 6-4 thanks to a late goal by Jonny Hooker, but that was as close as they would come.

Three Positives from the Game

The Giants penalty kill was the biggest positive. They killed all five Cougar power plays and did not give up many high danger chances. The Giants also created some offensive opportunities throughout. The team has now killed 10 straight to start the season.

Justin Sourdif is taking over games not just offensively but defensively. It looked like Prince George would have a clear-cut breakaway in the third period, but somehow, Sourdif got to the puck carrier in time to break up the play. The Florida Panthers draft pick is showing why he was selected as captain this season. He is the hardest working player on the ice and was rewarded with a goal and two assists.

The last positive was the Semeniuk, Halabruda and Cull line. The three impressed throughout the game and were even out there late defending the lead. They combined for five shots on goal and were noticeable throughout. They should be getting more minutes as the season progresses.

Room for Improvement

The Giants are taking too many penalties. This was the second straight game they gave up five power plays against. If they don’t become more disciplined, it could come back to haunt them later in the season.

Milestones

Ethan Semeniuk’s first career goal

Mazden Leslie and Ty Halaburda’s first career assists

Ty Thorpe’s first career three-point game in the WHL

Three Stars for the Giants

1st Star- Justin Sourdif: 1 Goal, 2 Assists, 4 Shots

2nd Star- Ty Thorpe: 1 Goal, 2 Assists, +2, 2 Shots

3rd Star- Mazden Leslie: 3 Assists, +1, 3 Shots,

Next Game

The Giants’ next game is scheduled for Saturday, October 16th, versus the Kamloops Blazers. Game time is set for 7:00 pm at the Langley Event Centre.