GIANTS Drop Squeaker

The Vancouver Giants lost 3-2 in overtime to the Spokane Chiefs in game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal Wednesday night in Spokane. With the victory the Chiefs tie the series at 2-2 and now it is down to a best of three series.

For the second straight game the Chiefs opened the scoring in the first period as captain

Darren Kramer scored his 1st of the post season to give Spokane a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes. The Giants were outshot 10-3 in the frame.

In the second period the Giants continued to struggle to generate chances and the Chiefs would take advantage, getting a goal from Liam Stewart just before the midway point of the period to put the Chiefs in front 2-0 through 40 minutes.

The Giants managed just 10 shots in the first two periods.

The Giants came to life 9 minutes into the third period. Right off the faceoff, Jackson Houck’s shot went off the post and Austin Fyten banged home his 2nd goal of the post season to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Giants continued to press, on the power play Neil Manning had Eric Williams beat, but not the post so the score remained 2-1 into the final minute.

With the extra attacker on, Jordan Martinook found a streaking Brendan Gallagher and he made no mistake, wristing home his 4th goal of the playoffs with 31.6 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime.

In overtime Mitch Holmberg scored 6:43 into the extra frame to give the Chiefs a 3-2 victory. Final shots were 28-23 in favour of Spokane. The home team has won every game so far in this series.

There was a grand total of 3 power plays combined on the night. T

he Giants went 0-for-1, while the Chiefs finished 0-for-2.

With the series now tied at 2-2, it is down to a best of 3.

Game 5 is Friday night at the Pacific Coliseum.  Puck drop is at 7:30 pm.