The Vancouver Giants snapped their four-game losing streak with a come from behind overtime win versus the Portland Winterhawks. This was the Giants’ first time crossing the border since February 22nd, 2020 and their first win in the Rose City since February 14th, 2018. Vancouver now moves to 8-7-1 through 16 games and sit third in the BC Division.
Vancouver- 3 versus Portland- 1
The Giants jumped out a 1-0 lead 14 seconds into the first as a Payton Mount shot beat Dante Giannuzzi five-hole. The Winterhawks answered with a goal late in the first by Gabe Klassen and late in the second by Luca Cagoni to take a 2-1 lead into the third. The Giants tied it up on a power play in the third thanks to a shot from the point by Justin Sourdif to force the game into overtime. Alex Cotton jumped on a rebound in the extra frame and scored to snap the Giants losing streak at four. The goal is credited to Sourdif on the official WHL website, but that should be changed to Cotton at a later time.
The Giants were sure in "Jesper-dy" but their goalie bailed them out!@WHLGiants | @GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/YQl1XdnQ3K
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 25, 2021
The Giants need to thank Jesper Vikman after this game. He stopped 41 shots on route to the victory. Vancouver was outshot 11-4 in the third period and overtime and would not have been able to get to OT without him. This was his seventh win in 11 games.
The rush from Justin Sourdif.
The finish from Alex Cotton.
The Giants take two points in the Rose City.@DetroitRedWings | @WHLGiants pic.twitter.com/zL878C2Cwz
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 25, 2021
The other positive from the game was the work of the penalty killers. The Giants killed off seven of eight penalties, including a double minor late in the third. Vancouver’s penalty kill has been a strength this season as their 80.9% kill rate ranks ninth in the WHL and second in the BC Division.
Three Giants Stars of the Game
Jesper Vikman- 41 saves on 43 shots
Justin Sourdif- 1 goal, 1 assist (2 goals, 0 assists on scoresheet as of postgame), +1, 7 shots
Alex Cotton- 1 goal, 1 assist (0 goals, 2 assists on scoresheet as of postgame), +1, 4 shots
Next Game
The Giants now head to Kennewick, Washington, to face Tri-City on Friday night. They then make their way to Spokane, Washington, to face the Chiefs on Saturday night before returning home. Game times for both matches are set for 7:05 pm PST.
