DUBNetwork Feature Game of the day: Winterhawks @ Giants 3 PM PST
The red hot Vancouver Giants look to continue their streak tonight against Cody Glass and the Portland Winterhawks in a matinee matchup on Family Day Monday in British Columbia. This will be the fourth meeting of the season between these teams, in three prior games Vancouver has not managed to win against Portland this season.
The Portland Winterhawks (35-16-3-3) look to be back to dominating their foes with a healthy lineup. The ‘Hawks come into today’s game winners of their last two, a 5-2 win over Seattle the most recent one coming just last night. Fatigue could arguably be a factor for Portland in this meeting in Langley as they look to finish up a three games in three days stretch this afternoon in Langley.
After going on a little bit of a quiet streak, Joachim Blichfeld burst out last night by getting himself a hat-trick and counting another assist. The Winterhawks’ leading scorer and San Jose’s seventh round pick in 2016 has sure had himself a season in the Rose City. The 1999-born forward has himself just two points shy of the century mark coming into this matinee against Vancouver. Blichfeld, an import forward from Denmark might be one of the most offensively dangerous Euros to play in the WHL since Leon Draisaitl.
If the Vancouver Giants (39-13-2-1) have a chance to beat Portland this season, this is it. The Giants come in leading the Western Conference after leap frogging Everett this weekend. That is all thanks to a seven game winning streak that stretches back since the beginning of February. The G-men are nearly undefeated at home when scoring first, and in front of what will be a massive crowd in Langley its a sure bet that the team will come out flying. Vancouver unlike their opponents did not play last night, so fatigue should not be an issue for the club in this matchup and might just be the difference.
Whoever starts for the Giants this afternoon whether it be David Tendeck or Trent Miner both goalies assure the players in front of them a solid chance to win. Team defense has been relatively good for the Giants this season, and with Dallas Hines back on the ice the goaltenders will have to ice Cody Glass and Joachim Blichfeld if they want two points this afternoon.
Expected in goal:
- Joel Hofer (POR) 3.684 GAA, .907 SV%- Hofer comes into this one having played two games in a row.
- David Tendeck (VAN) 2.399 GAA, .911 SV%- The veteran of the two Vancouver netminders, Tendeck comes in fresh off a shutout performance in Kelowna on Saturday night.
Other Family Day action:
Moose Jaw Warriors (31-15-6-2) @ Prince Albert Raiders (46-8-1-2)
- Prince Albert comes in trying to shake a 0-1-1-0 streak, this might be the time to do it as the Raiders have taken three of four games against Moose Jaw this season.
Swift Current Broncos (10-40-2-2) @ Brandon Wheat Kings (26-22-3-4)
- Brandon comes in riding a three game win streak trying to find their way back into a playoff spot. With a win today, the Wheaties could potentially be only be two points out of a spot.
Medicine Hat Tigers (31-21-3-2) @ Edmonton Oil Kings (31-18-4-4)
- Edmonton has not lost in regulation this season against Medicine Hat, the Tigers enter on a three game losing skid.
Lethbridge Hurricanes (29-17-5-5) @ Kootenay Ice (11-36-7-1)
- Kootenay continues to play some of their final games in Cranbrook, today they take on a Lethbridge team who they have not beat in five meetings this season.
Tri-City Americans (31-20-2-1) @ Kamloops Blazers (21-28-4-1)
- This season series is even at one a piece, Tri-City comes into town riding a three game winning streak.
Everett Silvertips (39-14-1-2) @ Prince George Cougars (16-33-4-3)
- Prince George comes in on that dismal 0-11-3-1 streak after coming oh so close against Victoria on Saturday night eventually falling in a shootout.
Kelowna Rockets (23-28-4-1) @ Victoria Royals (29-23-1-2)
- An all BC Division matchup featuring two teams that might be neighbors in the divisonal standings but do have ten points separating themselves. Kelowna leads the season series 4-2 before puck drop.
