DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: Vancouver Giants (19-20-3-2) @ Kelowna Rockets (23-20-1-2) 5:05 PST
In the first half of the home-and-home series, the Rockets pulled out a 3-2 victory in Vancouver last night. With their win, the Rockets improved to 2-3-0-0 against the Giants this season and added another point to the gap between the third-place team in the BC Division and fourth. The gap is now six points, and Kelowna closed the gap on the Victoria Royals who are in second-place, to four points.
The Rockets have won two games in a row, thanks in part to the return of several regulars to the lineup. The Giants have struggled all season to put together consistent wins and have gone 2-5-2-1 in their last 10 games.
The Kelowna Rockets have two capable goalies to rely on and have started both Roman Basran and Cole Schwebius this weekend as the team has a three games in three nights’ schedule. Look for Basran to get a second straight start after stopping 30 of 32 shots last night. He is now 17-11-1-2 on the season and pairs that with a 2.53 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.
Vancouver started Trent Miner last night and he made 30 saves on 33 shots. Look for the Giants to swap goalies tonight. David Tendeck is 11-13-1-1 with a 2.19 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.
Neither team has proven to have an elite scorer this season. While both teams boast some very good scoring threats, there just has not been enough chemistry to elevate any one player into the realm of the elite scorers in the Western Hockey League.
Vancouver has Tristen Nielsen leading the way with 20 goals and 21 assists but he may not see the ice in tonight’s game following a five-minute major and game misconduct for interference last night. That would be a big blow to the Giants fortunes as they continue to chase the Rockets in the BC Division. Another very good scorer is Tyler Preziuso. He has been a big help in the Giants push for the playoffs with eight goals and three assists since coming over from the Medicine Hat Tigers earlier this season. Another new addition, Eric Florchuk, has been piling up the points since his arrival. He has scored four times and added another four assists over eight games with the Giants.
Kelowna’s top scorer is 17-year-old import, Pavel Novak. He’s missed some time due to suspension this season but he’s got 17 goals and 17 assists for the Rockets in 38 games. Not far behind is last night’s overtime hero, Matthew Wedman. Since being brought in from the Seattle Thunderbirds, Wedman has six goals and 10 assists in 21 games. Vegas Golden Knights prospect Kaedan Korczak rounds out the top three scorers for the Rockets. He has eight goals and 25 assists this season.
Speaking of Korczak, he is 10th among defenseman in points this season. He’s joined on the blueline brigade by Jake Lee. With four goals and 19 assists, Lee is just one point off last season’s pace in 23 fewer games.
For the Giants, the blueline heavyweights are Bowen Byram and Alex Kannock-Leipert. Logging ice time in all kinds of situations, the Giants have leaned heavily on the NHL prospects. Byram has three goals and 18 assists in 32 games this season. He also saw time at the World Juniors with Team Canada. Kannock-Leipert is the captain of the Giants and he has three goals and 13 assists in 44 games. He’s just five points back of his career-best.
Both teams are in the bottom half of the league with the man-advantage. Kelowna has scored on just 34 of 199 opportunities (17.1%) which is good for 17th in the WHL. Vancouver has scored on 23 of 148 chances (15.5%) which is good for 20th. Both teams are much better amongst the league when it comes to being down a player. Vancouver is 9th at 80.2% success and Kelowna is 10th also at 80.2%.
In other WHL action:
Red Deer Rebels (15-24-2-3) @ Calgary Hitmen (24-15-4-1)
The teams meet for the fourth time this season, coming off a game last night in Red Deer that Calgary took 5-2. Mark Kastelic and Riley Stotts each scored a pair of goals. Calgary is now 2-0-1-0 against Red Deer this season. The Hitmen are nine points back of the Medicine Hat Tigers for third in the Central Division.
Saskatoon Blades (23-19-1-2) @ Regina Pats (13-26-3-2)
The first time in the 2019-20 season the two teams have met. The Saskatoon Blades are coming off a controversial loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday night. Regina has lost four straight games. The Blades are five points back of the Wheat Kings for third in the East Division. Regina is 18 points out of a playoff spot.
Moose Jaw Warriors (12-29-2-0) @ Winnipeg ICE (28-16-1-0)
Back in November when the two teams met, the Warriors got the better of the ICE. They will meet four more times this season. Winnipeg is tied for the East Division lead with the Prince Albert Raiders. Moose Jaw is 23 points out of a playoff spot and is unlikely to see post-season action.
Spokane Chiefs (24-15-4-1) @ Everett Silvertips (30-11-3-1)
Everett has collected points in all seven previous meetings (6-0-1-0). The gap between the two clubs is 11 points. The Silvertips have points in five straight games, Spokane has won their last two games.
