Giants downed by ‘Tips; move onto Victoria Saturday

Friday’s matchup was a battle of the leaders of their respective divisions with the BC Division leading Vancouver Giants (21-7-2-0) taking on the US Division and Western Conference leading Everett Silvertips (26-7-1-1). The Giants came into this game riding a seven game win streak with the Silvertips winning nine of their last ten.

The shots in this game would be misleading at first glance with the Giants out shooting the Silvertips 38-27 but this game for the most part was all Everett. Out of the 38 Giants shots, there wasn’t many scoring threats or quality shots to show for.

The game wouldn’t see its first goal until the middle frame when Bryce Kindopp (15th) broke in on a short handed breakaway and wristed one past Trent Miner for his first of two on the night. Everett would add three more in the second period with goals coming from Dawson Butt (ninth), Reece Vitelli (fourth) and Bryce Kindopp again for his 16th of the season would be the goal that ended Trent Miner’s night, allowing four goals on 23 shots.

Even with the shots being 13-3 in favour of Vancouver in the third, the game still felt like it was in the control of the Silvertips in a rare off night for the Giants. Owen Hardy would eventually end the shutout bid for Dustin Wolf at 17:44 of the final frame but it would be too little too late for the Giants as their poor second period would be too much to overcome.

3 Stars

1st Star: Scoring two goals tonight including one short handed, Everett’s Bryce Kindopp

2nd Star: Recording 37 saves as well as an assist on Everett’s 3-0 goal, goaltender Dustin Wolf

3rd Star: Scoring the Giants’ only goal of the night, Owen Hardy

Luckily for the Giants, they won’t have to wait to bounce back from last night’s loss as they take the ferry over to the Island for a BC Division game against the Victoria Royals (15-13-1-0) for the second time in seven days. The Giants were able to pull out a late comeback 2-1 win in overtime at the Pacific Coliseum on Teddy Bear Toss night last Saturday. Since then the Royals are 2-1-0-0 including a decisive 5-1 victory last night over the Prince George Cougars, who the Giants will be taking on at home tomorrow afternoon. The Giants are 3-1-1-0 this season against Victoria as Vancouver looks to get back into the win column on Victoria’s Teddy Bear Toss night this time.

Other Giants News

  • 2018 first round pick Zack Ostapchuk (12th overall) made his WHL debut last night against Everett. Ostapchuk has 18 points in 22 games for the Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep in the CSSHL.
  • Giants forward Yannik Valenti and the German U20 team won gold in the Division 1 World Juniors. He recorded two goals, one assist for three points in five games in the tournament.