The Giants enter the game following a 7-0 loss to the high flying Rocket and look at taking a bite out of the Tigers from Medicine Hat.
The Royals did the Giants a favour by beating the Tigers 4-3 on Wednesday in Victoria and with the Giants struggling of late; this game could prove a motivation game if nothing else for the team, plus the 5,524 fans on hand.
Earlier in the day it was announced that Tyler Fuhr would start replacing Liam Liston, who has (along with the team) struggled of late.
The name might be the same as a former NHL goalie, but he is no relation. He told me “I would love to have a dollar every time I have been asked if I am related to him (Grant), but simply no relation.” The recent losses they have faced can not necessarily be put on his shoulders alone, but the entire team.
In part they have been playing as individuals, rather than play as a unit. Head Coach Don Hay is not necessarily worried, but is more concerned.
The youngsters have done what is expected, but it’s the vet’s that have let the team down, but not finishing and at times not back checking, leaving Liam home alone to tend house.
This game saw the Giants out shoot the Tigers by a 10-1 margin by the 13 minute mark in the first, to the delight of the Giant fans.
The Giants scored the first goal 48 seconds in off the stick of Kieser, followed by a marker from Kulak at 3:23. The boy’s never quit and Franson got a marker at 5:11 while on the PP.
This saw the Tigers change “tenders” and had Dawson MacAuley replace Marek Langhamer, who struggled, but had literally no help from anyone on the Tigers.
The Giants finished off the period at 18:17 as Houck buried one top shelf, giving the Giants a commanding 4-0 lead.
The Tigers fought back and finally got one along the ice stick side at16:38 of period two on an end to end rush, seeing them at least win the period – score wise.
The Giants continued to press and pressed the zone grabbing two goals early in the period. The first was at 4:36 from Sieben only to be followed by Burns 14 seconds later.
This put them up 6-1 and the shots kept coming.
There were a few minor’s called by game officials Sean Raphael and Nick Swaine from Surrey and Kamloops respectfully.
The Giants laced one off the post with 1.2 seconds left, but the ref was on the line and quickly waved it off, so no one would get overly excited and the Giants were content to finish with a 6-1 win.
Five different players managed to grab a goal in tonight’s game plus an assist on the night for Vancouver (Cain Franson, Riley Kieser, Jackson Houck, Tristan Sieben and Nathan Burns), while David Musil and Marek Tvrdon picked up 2 assists each.
Shots through three were Giants 34 – Medicine Hat 21.
First star: Tristen Sieben
Giants next game is Sunday at 4 pm against Victoria Royals.
