Robert Jay
B.C. Division, WHL Playoffs

Vancouver’s second round series according to #11

Written by Giancarlo Nadeau on

 

Vikman made 34 saves for Vancouver and Garand stopped 29 shots with this marquee battle of WJC goaltenders selections playing a great game of puck in Game 3. It was the silky swede, Fabian Lysell, who outdueled the crafty Canadian, Logan Stankhoven, in the first home game of round 2 for Vancouver. The hometown boy became the hometown hero as Alex Cotton scored his 6th goal of the Chynoweth cup tournament at 56:36 to seal the deal. Tsawwassen said  “no!” to a Kamloops stranglehold as the Giants took Game 3, 3-2, cutting the Blazers’ 2-0 series lead in half. The series now stands at 2-1 for the Blazers. Thanks to @ihsawah for the inspiration for this opening paragraph. Game 3 was one Giants fans can be proud of and with Game 4 just hours away, the Giants will look to impress their fans once more.

Vancouver broke and set many franchise and league records in their six-game triumph over the Silvertips and beating the top team in the Western Conference as the last-placed team in the WHL PLayoffs was one of those records. Speaking of records, Vancouver is currently holding a 5-4 record in nine playoff games so far in the post-season. With Tuesday night’s win, the Giants have won three consecutive playoff games at home dating back to Game 4 of Round 1 against the Everett Silvertips. The G-men have outscored their opponent 20-11 in those games and with a victory at home tonight Vancouver can head to Kamloops for Game 5 on Friday with the series tied at 2.

NHL prospects Zack Ostapchuk (3G-14A-17PTS), Fabian Lysell (4G-13A-17PTS), and Alex Cotton (6G-10A-16PTS) continue to lead the Giants in points and helped outscore Everett 30-26 to get past them in the first round. Those three players continue to shine bright for their club, especially Fabian Lysell who added two assists to his name, including an assist on Cotton’s game-winning Power Play marker at the 16:36 mark of the third period.

Fabian Lysell was held off the scoresheet in Game 1 and Game 2 and believes that Game 3 was the best game he has played all series. “I felt like we created a lot of chances [in Game 3] and it felt good out there.” Lysell also believes that the key to any success that the Giants will have for the remainder of this series will only take place if the team plays like how they played on Tuesday night. We need to “keep playing physically, keep the confidence going, and stick to our game plan,” added Lysell.

Vancouver entered Game 3 0/8 on the man-advantage but was able to score twice on it in Game 4. The 2-of-2 power-play night for Vancouver marked its first man-advantage goals of this series. The power play was significant for Vancouver in their first-round series, operating at just under forty percent (12-of-32). The Giants’ man-advantage has been one of the best in the league during the playoffs and Lysell can be thanked for that, as well. “Every offensive player wants to play in all situations and try and help the team as much as possible,” adds Lysell. He is able to use his strengths to his advantage when on the ice and was a factor in the Game 3 winning goal that was scored by Alex Cotton. With 13 points so far in the playoffs, Lysell sits behind Giants’ captain Zack Ostapchuk who has 14 assists in 9 playoff games.

“The LEC is bumping right now. It’s way more fun, and way more competitive. These games mean way more [compared to the regular season]. You just try and enjoy the moment, but at the same time you want to go out there and win every single game.” That’s what the Giants are trying to do and they are definitely on the right track. Vancouver is 4-0 when scoring the first goal of the playoffs and Fabian Lysell would love to score his first of the series and look to continue that streak for his club. 

Fabian Lysell celebrates a goal with his teammate Zack Ostapchuk in Game 3. Vancouver won 3-2. Photo: Robert Jay

Looking ahead to Game 4 and the importance of trying to secure a victory tonight Lysell said is huge.  It’s huge “to get both these wins and go back to Kamloops with confidence. We just need to keep our heads up and get prepared for that game and hopefully will make that happen.” Giants fans hope that they will too.

Despite knocking off Everett in the first round the Giants still believe that they have something to prove and that is certainly alarming for the opposing team.

Game 4 will be played at the Langley Events Centre and is expected to start at 7:00 p.m.