It all started with a funny bounce.
The same bounce that the Chiefs capitalized on the night before, kick started the Giants incredible third period comeback to steal Game 2 from Spokane.
The Giants were down 2-0 until the 5:15 mark of the third period when Dawson Holt pounced on a dump in that shot out right in front of the Chiefs net, bringing some life into the Langley Events Centre.
The Holt goal was the first of four Giants goals in a 3:21 span. It was also his fourth of the postseason after having just six in the regular season. The 19-year-old is coming up big in the playoffs for the second straight year, being a point-per-game player in his WHL playoff career with 19 points (6G, 13A) in 19 games.
“He’s not just scoring big goals, he’s making big plays. He blocks a shot at the end there, that’s what Dawson is capable of. He’s a good player, he’s a big strong guy,” Giants head coach Michael Dyck said about Dawson Holt’s playoff success these last two seasons.
A large part of Holt’s success has come from his line with Owen Hardy and Jared Dmytriw who have put up 10 points between the three of them in the first two games of this series.
“We’ve found the right role for him (Holt) playing with Hardy and Dmytriw, those guys have chemistry and work well together.”
Another member of “the line,” captain Jared Dmytriw scored the tying and game winning goal 22 seconds apart, erupting the LEC to the loudest cheers since they moved to Langley three years ago.
“There’s no better feeling than to score goals like that, to have the energy of this building and to play for each other. It’s an awesome feeling,” Dmytriw said about what it’s like scoring big goals like last night’s.
The most feel-good goal of the night was the insurance marker that came off the stick of import forward Yannik Valenti, who scored his first goal since November 16 in the Giants’ 10-4 win over Regina.
“I had a pretty tough year this year, coming from Germany, having to adjust to everything. Smaller ice, tougher game, it look me a while but I try to keep working hard and I’m glad to be rewarded.”
The 18-year-old German was recently given a vote of confidence from Coach Dyck, putting him on the power play and looking to utilize his one-timer which is exactly what he did in Game 2.
?: ICYMI.. Valenti capped off the Giants comeback with an absolute WIRE!! pic.twitter.com/CJj5qGF86r
— xy – Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) April 21, 2019
“It’s huge. It’s a great feeling to see a guy who has put in the work. He’s kind of struggled for some opportunities, for him to get that opportunity now and on the power play at a huge point in the game and to score like that, it was awesome. It gave the bench a huge lift and everyone was super excited for him,” Dmytriw said about it’s like to see Valenti finally get one.
Before all the madness in the third period, the game got off to a high-paced start with only a handful of whistles in the opening frame.
Spokane was able to go to the dressing room after 20 minutes with a 1-0 lead thanks to a point shot from Nolan King that had eyes and found its way past David Tendeck with just 19 seconds remaining.
The late goal proved to give the Chiefs the momentum going into the second period. 19 seconds in, LA Kings prospect Jaret Anderson-Dolan was able to bounce on a puck in front that got away from Tendeck to give Spokane their second goal in a 38-second span between the periods.
“Anytime you give up a goal in the last minute of a period, it’s tough to regroup from. In the second period they jumped on us early and we fought our way back. We’ve done it all year long, we’ve been down before and always found a way to come back, it’s just a matter of pulling together and sticking together;” Dyck said about the quick 2-0 hole they found themselves in.
The series now shifts to Spokane for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday where the two teams split their two regular season match ups. Coach Michael Dyck and his team are focused on being even-keel no matter the outcomes of the next two games.
“Tomorrow’s another day. We just got to go on the road and get ready for Game 3. Win or lose we have to maintain our composure we’ll learn from tonight, move forward and be better for Game 3.”
