The Vancouver Giants took a 1-0 series lead with a 7-1 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds in their quarter-final match up.
Both teams came to play early with their physicality, instantly giving the game a playoff atmosphere.
18-year-old forward Tristen Nielsen, in particular, was the Giants’ spark plug in the opening period with a handful of electrifying hits to help get the crowd at the Langley Events Centre into Game 1 of the playoffs.
“One of the more physical periods we’ve had. We did a really good job finishing checks and I expect it to continue all series long,” coach Michael Dyck said about the physicality in the first.
Seattle’s Jarret Tyszka took a crosschecking penalty at the 19:55 mark to give the Giants an almost full power-play going into the middle frame.
The Giants came out buzzing on the man advantage when Calgary Flames prospect Milos Roman converted a Jadon Joseph pass to give the series its first goal just 1:20 into the period.
While the Roman goal was still being announced in the building, Lukas Svejkovsky snapped one past the blocker of Roddy Ross just inside the zone to give the Giants a quick 2-0 lead.
“You look at a turning point, and you get that second goal and I think it set them (Seattle) on their heels a little bit.” Dyck said about getting two quick goals to start the period.
Joseph (shorthanded) and Dylan Plouffe (first of two) rounded out the scoring for the four-goal outburst as well as Seattle scored their first of the series off the stick of Andrej Kukuca in the dying seconds to cut the Giants’ lead to three heading into the dressing rooms.
Special teams played a major role in Game 1 with each team getting seven power plays VAN (2-for-7) SEA (0-for-7), and the league’s second best penalty kill going perfect on the night.
Vancouver had another crucial quick start to the final period when 19-year-old Dawson Holt finished off a pass from Dallas Hines to give them their first of two goals in the first four and a half minutes with the other goal came from Plouffe with his second goal of the night and third point. The two goal performance gives the veteran defenceman his fourth goal in his last three games (regular season and playoffs combined) and also ended rookie goaltender Roddy Ross‘ first WHL playoff game early after allowing six goals on 31 shots.
“It’s been good, that’s something you want as a player is consistency. Just got to keep an even keel, that’s what’s most important to me, especially in the playoffs. And for tonight, I just have to focus on what I did right and move onto the next day.” Giants defenceman Dylan Plouffe had to say about the team and his individual success this month and contributing to the win.
In relief of Ross, was fellow rookie netminder Cole Schwebius also got his first taste of playoff action with eight saves on nine shots. His only goal allowed was to 2019 NHL top prospect Bowen Byram who hopped up on an odd man rush and wired a bullet over Schwebius’ to give the Giants the touchdown in Game 1.
Brandon, Manitoba native Trent Miner was given the start tonight and had a 27 save performance.
“Coming out in the first period we were obviously going to be a little nervous but I think we set the tone early and carried though and just built off of that.” Miner said about the takeaways from Game 1.
Game 2 is set for Saturday at 7pm PST at the Langley Events Centre before heading south of the border to Kent, Washington for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Giant Thoughts
- No known injuries after Game 1 according to Giants Head Coach Michael Dyck.
- Seattle’s Jake Lee was given a five minute major for cross checking and a game misconduct with about six seconds left in regulation. The league will surely take a look at his conduct.
Seattle's Jake Lee given a 5 minute major and GM for cross-checking Vancouver's Justin Sourdif with 6 seconds left in their Game 1 loss to the Giants. pic.twitter.com/MqqykBGV25
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) March 23, 2019
