Some still question the move to the Langley Events Center for the Vancouver Giants, but by all extensive purposes the move proved to be a success in more ways than one.
Virtually a new beginning for the team which had their home in Vancouver at the PNE former home to the Vancouver Canucks and now the drive seems somewhat more beneficial.
With so many new firsts it’s hard to pick one that stands out more than others, but the one that comes to our focus is the recent Teddy Bear Toss that saw the Giants pull off an impressive win over the visiting Winter Hawks in a 6-3 victory in front of 4,328 fans.
For the Giants it was their 15th Annual Teddy Bear Toss that gives the children and Families in the greater Vancouver area something to make their holidays brighter.
The 15th Annual Teddy Bear Toss saw Langley native James Malm open the scoring 3 and half minutes into the opening period that saw the Bears “Fly”.
The fans flooded the ice with teddy bears both large and small as the staff and volunteers gathered them to make a child’s Christmas brighter.
When the game resumed after a short 15 minute delay, they built on the lead as Owen Hardy gave them a 2-0 lead 35 seconds later before Portland eventually got on the scoreboard with Ryan Hughes cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Thomas Foster notched his first of two goals midway through the first extending the Giants lead to 3-1 heading the intermission holding a 16-10 edge in shots.
The second period was scoreless but entertaining with both teams having chances but goaltenders Ryan Kubic and Cole Kehler stymied the shooters.
The Giants struck again in the third period as Matt Barberis beat Kehler extending the lead to 4-1 two minutes in.
Thomas Foster notched his second of the game two and half minutes later making it 5-1 for the Giants chasing the starting Portland goalkeeper after giving up five goals on 29 shots.
Michael Bullion came in for relief of Kehler and played a strong game to keep the giants off the scoreboard until Jeff Rayman scored from the slot to make it a 6-1 game for Vancouver leading 8 minutes into the final period.
Portland made it respectful with two late goals as Skyler McKenzie and Alex Overhardt managed to get one past Kubic making it an interesting finish.
The Giants doubled up (6-3) on the Winter Hawks in their first meeting of the year with the Winter Hawk as they had a solid third outshooting the Giants 18-6.
Portland held a 34-31 edge in shots testing Kubic forcing him to make 31 saves for a .911 SV% on the night.
Vancouver improved to 12-18-1-2 on the season good for 27 points and the Hawks fell to 19-15-1-0.
Thanks to Bruce Nolte!
