DUBNetwork Feature game of the night: Chiefs @ Giants 7:30 PM PST
Tonight’s feature game of the night features the Vancouver Giants hosting the Spokane Chiefs in their third date of the season. The Giants come into this one red hot, and donning a near perfect record at home when scoring first. The Chiefs have also heated up riding a four game winning streak into the Langley Events Centre tonight.
The Spokane Chiefs (30-17-2-4) have come alive in their last handful of games, creating separation in the standings, something that did not exist a week ago. The Chiefs have underachieved all season long, in a dog fight of a US Division, points have been hard to come by. Spokane has woken up at the right time though, gearing up for the playoffs and into the home stretch of the season where points become most valuable. Spokane has not won against Vancouver this season, although they have stayed competitive when playing the Giants, losing 5-4 in overtime, and 6-4 earlier in the season.
When returned from the Los Angeles Kings, Jaret Anderson-Dolan really added a lot of beef to the Chiefs offense. With some shut down guys on the back end, and decent goaltending, all the team was missing was an offensive stud. Anderson-Dolan has only played in 19 games for the Chiefs this season, but has racked up 24 points in his limited appearances and is riding an eight-game point streak into tonight. Expect Anderson-Dolan to be seeing a lot of ice time against the Giants tonight.
A beat up Vancouver Giants roster (37-13-2-1) is looking for their sixth win in as many games tonight. Bowen Byram will play tonight after not facing supplemental discipline for a hit against Prince George Cougars forward Mitch Kohner on Sunday. Byram was still awarded third star after being assessed the five minute major penalty, and came out to receive his honors in shorts and flip flops after the game. The Giants are competing with Everett for top dog in the Western Conference as they enter tonight only trailing the ‘Tips by two points. It might not seem like a big deal right now, but come playoff time clinching home ice advantage all the way through the first three rounds is something that could prove to be the difference in a series. The Giants play well at home, holding a 21-5-1-1 in their own barn this season, visiting teams always seem to have trouble against the Giants.
Jadon Joseph looks to have found some kind of chemistry with another Giants forward that was missing some offensive spark. The Giants were expected to bring in some kind of star talent at the trade deadline, and only bringing in one forward in Jadon Joseph left some wondering why? The criticism didn’t last for long, as he and Tristen Nielsen have added a lot of depth to the Giants top nine up front. Already with a pretty solid forward group with Davis Koch and co. the combo of Joseph and Nielsen makes the team as a whole just that much scarier.
Expected in goal:
- Reece Klassen (SPO) 3.273 GAA, .896 SV%- Since arriving in Spokane from Lethbridge, Klassen has stood tall posting a 2.00 GAA and a .923 SV% in six games with his new squad.
- Trent Miner (VAN) 1.814 GAA, .932 SV%- Miner keeps doing his best impression of a brick wall for Vancouver and has not allowed more than two goals in his last eight starts.
Other Games of note:
Brandon Wheat Kings (24-22-3-4) @ Prince Albert Raiders (46-7-0-2)
- Raiders keep sailing the winning boat, have beaten the Wheat Kings in all three meetings this season.
Edmonton Oil Kings (31-17-4-4) @ Regina Pats (15-37-1-2)
- Oil Kings looking to keep ruling the roost in the Central Division, are 7-3-0-0 in their last ten and sit three points up on the second place Medicine Hat Tigers for the Division.
Lethbridge Hurricanes (28-16-5-5) @ Swift Current Broncos (10-39-2-2)
- Swift Current looking to toss out the 0-5-0-1 streak against a Hurricanes team they have already beaten once in three meetings this season.
Medicine Hat Tigers (31-19-3-2) @ Calgary Hitmen (28-21-4-1)
- A big battle in the Central Division, Calgary leads the season series by a 2-1 margin.
Saskatoon Blades (35-13-8-0) @ Kootenay Ice (11-35-7-1)
- The Blades continue to slice their opponents looking for their sixth straight win tonight.
Everett Silvertips (38-13-1-2) @ Kelowna Rockets (23-26-4-1)
- Fourth meeting of the season between these teams, Everett leads the series 2-1.
Victoria Royals (27-23-1-2) @ Prince George Cougars (16-32-4-2)
- Cougars looking to come out of their den and find a win tonight as their losing streak is at 13 games coming in. Prince George did beat Victoria in their last matchup up north.
Red Deer Rebels (29-19-4-1) @ Seattle Thunderbirds (21-27-5-1)
- Red Deer travels to Seattle after a big win last night in Everett. Seattle has lost three of their last four games.
Kamloops Blazers (21-27-4-1) @ Tri-City Americans (29-20-2-1)
- In only their second meeting of the season tonight, in meeting #1 Kamloops burned up the Americans for a 5-1 win.
