New Captain Brendan Gallagher’s return from the World Junior’s saw him have a career night as he managed 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points on.
The Giant’s doubled the Winter Hawks (8-4) on “Legends on Renfrew” night as they honoured Montreal great (now retired) and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame – Guy Lafleur.
This presentation took place prior to the game, it had special meaning to Gallagher as he inked a three year entry level deal with the Habs November 16th.
He was selected in the 5th round of the 2010 NHL Entry draft and it was obvious that he wanted to provide the former Habs great with a stellar performance in front of 10,365 on-lookers.
The Giants opened the scoring seeing Nathan Burns getting the Giants first of the contest at 4:13 on a feed from Gallagher giving them a 1-0 lead.
This was followed with the Giants on the PP having Gallagher score his first three goals on the night.
The Winter Hawks created scoring opportunities with a pair of PP chances as the Giants took 3 straight minors.
With Burns was serving a minor Leipsic beat Morrison with 1:41 in the period cutting the lead to 2-1 at intermission. Shots were 20-11 for Portland at the end of one.
Vancouver D-man Brett Kulak blasted a shot past Carruth (who was screened) of the Hawks to give the Giants a 3-1 lead.
Gallagher extend the lead for his second of the night on the PP just: 45 seconds after Wotherspoon beat Carruth of the Hawks at 8:45 for a 4-1 Vancouver lead.
Portland replaced Mac Carruth with Brendan Burke, which was a good move, but failed to motivate the team.
Vancouver added to it’s lead as Vannieuwenhuizen bagged his second of the year in back to back games making it a 5-1 Vancouver. Shots were 10-9 for the Giants but the Winterhawks held the advantage in shots 29-21 after two.
Portland’s Leipsic got one on the PP and his second of the night cutting the Giants lead to 5-2. Gallagher completed his hat trick on the PP at 5:42 making it a 6-2 Vancouver.
The Winterhawks pulled to within three as Morrow beat Morrison at 9:15 making it a 6-3.
Vancouver added a marker off the stick of Tvrdon with assists going to Henry and Gallagher for a 7-3 lead.
Martinook made it a five game just over two minutes later with Gallagher notching another assist putting them up 8-3.
Portland did manage one more seeing Wotherspoon close the gap to 8-4, but that is as close as they would get.
The Giants held a 15-14 edge in shots in the final period but Portland finished with a 44-35 edge in shots.
Morrison improved his record to 24-8-1-1. Winterhawks “keepers” Carruth and Burke combined for 27 saves as they welcomed back their players from the World Junior Championships and the U-17 Hockey Challenge held in Windsor.
With the victory Don Hay recorded win # 541 while Brendan Gallagher moved to within 17 points of the all time team leader Adam Courchaine.
Gallagher has 122 goals and 134 assists (256 TP) in 219 games, while Courchaine has 126 goals, 147 assists for 273 points.
What a night for Gallagher to excel with one of the Montreal greats on hand.
Guy is a true hockey legend.
