Six power-play goals, two different goaltending changes and a seven-goal first period.
Game 3 was an unique high scoring affair with 10 goals scored between the two teams, eight of them coming from Prince Albert, in a 8-2 win to take a 2-1 series lead.
“We obviously liked a lot about the first period, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that before.” Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid had to say about their seven goals in the first period.
Tuesday night’s game was all Raiders, just about right from the opening puck drop, when Ottawa Senators prospect Parker Kelly snapped one off the rush past David Tendeck just 41 seconds into the game. That goal started the flurry of five goals in the first 8:20 for Prince Albert, two of them coming from Brett Leason, in part to the Raiders getting four power plays in the first 6:33 of the game.
“Kind of lucky that it went in, but we’ll take them. It was just a good start for the boys and kind of got us started off on the right foot.” Parker Kelly said about his goal 41 seconds in.
The 19-year-old Tendeck was pulled 2:27 into the game after allowing two quick goals. Trent Miner unfortunately did not fare much better, allowing five goals on 14 shots in just under 20 minutes of work. Tendeck eventually was put back in net to start the second period and only allowed one goal the rest of the game.
The Raiders added two goals in the last three and a half minutes of the opening frame to make it a whopping 7-0 going into the dressing rooms.
Kelly (2G, 1A), Leason (2G), and Dante Hannoun (2 PPA) led the way for the Raiders after their offensive explosion to start the hockey game.
Everything started to mellow out a bit and became more of a conventional low scoring playoff hockey game in the second. Dante Hannoun added his 12th goal of these playoffs, deflecting a Brett Leason wrist shot that found its way past David Tendeck’s glove side. Vancouver finally scored their first of two goals on the night off the stick of Brayden Watts on the power play at 19:08 of the period.
“It was a good play by Lukas (Svejkovsky), he was working the power play pretty good tonight and he just found me in the slot and I put it top right.” Watts described his goal.
The Giants showed some pushback, managing to even out the shots after being outshot 18-8 in the first period. They outshot the Raiders 13-3 in the second, in part to receiving four power plays in the period.
“I liked the response in the second period, obviously not an easy game to play in but we made a response in the second and built some momentum for tomorrow.” Giants head coach Michel Dyck said about bouncing back after their first period.
Yannik Valenti added the second power-play goal for the Giants late into the third, to help the Giants outscore the Raiders in the last 40 minutes of play.
Vancouver looks to bounce back and forget about this dreadful night, luckily having games back-to-back nights.
“We’re going to pull together, we’re going to be stronger because of this. The sun’s going to come up tomorrow morning, the beauty thing about playoff hockey is we get another crack at them tomorrow.” Giants captain Jared Dmytriw said about being able to bounce right back the next night.
Game 4 goes Wednesday night at the Langley Events Centre where the Giants look to even up the series.
Series PP: VAN: 4/14 (28.6%) PA: 6/16 (37.5%)
Series PK: VAN: 10/16 (62.5%) PA: 10/14 (71.4%)
Giant Thoughts
- Before allowing eight goals tonight, the Giants’ previous season high for goals allowed was six in a 6-5 loss to Everett on November 17th.
- Prince Albert was without defenceman Max Martin who was a gametime decision after taking warmups.
