Hockey
Tri-City Dusts Giants
The Giants enter this game with a record of 12-32-0-0 while Tri-City sits at 25-16-1-2 which is good to place them in fifth in the Western Conference standings, six points ahead of struggling Victoria.
Tri-City has ex-Alberni Coach Jim Hiller behind the bench and if you ask anyone connected with the club, his work ethic is second to none.
This game is the third of four this season for both clubs in which Tri-City took the first two by scores of 9-1 and 4-3 respectively.
The first period was anything but entertaining by the Giants allowing three before going to the dressing room, for a well deserved rest.
Head Coach Don Hay who is in his eighth season with the Giants did what he could to add some needed punch to the line-up, but the juggling failed to muster up any offence, regardless of the combinations he sent out.
Following the recent trade-deadline, which saw more moves by the Giants, this game featured a slow start in which starting “tender” Jared Rathjen give up four before being relieved early in the second period.
He was replaced by Payton Lee who was a doubtful starter early in the season. Lee plays solid when called upon, but it is clear he is still “one-step” behind this level.
True he did have an impressed start while playing with the Richmond Sockeyes in the PJHL, thus probably the main reason for the call-up, but quite possibly the move was made just a “tad” too soon?
Scouting plays a huge part in any junior franchise and it is quite possible that the Giants are looking down the road, given the youth of the team.
While the Giants have had success in the majority of seasons in the league, this is one they would like to forget. While player movement is over for another year the Giants are quite possibly looking toward the 2016 Memorial Cup, which rumour (?) has it that they are in line for submitting a bid to host the event.
The Giants acquired two on deadline day (January 10th) and forwards Jason Trott and Brendan Rouse are excited about playing for the Giants. Trott played in Whitecourt Alberta in the AJHL, while Rouse was claimed off waivers from Seattle. He played for Brandon Wheat Kings in 2009-10 prior to being acquired by the T-Birds.
He has played four seasons in the King City managing 6 goals and 23 assists this season. Recent addition coming from the North Delta Devils is Arvin Atwal (17) who joined the club for the last two games of the recent road trip to Alberta and is fitting in quite well, while wearing #6.
One must remember that the Giants have some key players out with injury, but most notability Captain Wes Vannieuwenhuizen. He has a huge presence on the ice for the G-men.
This season see’s the Giants have (currently) thirteen BC players on the roster; Tri-City has six with one from Lulea Sweden.
Malte Stronwall mentioned “the game in Sweden spends more time working on the fundamentals and finesse, rather than the physical style of hockey played in North America”.
Quite possibly this gives the European players more of a jump, while many play on a larger ice surface for most –if not all of their career. On the other hand goaltender Eric Comrie (no relation to the Brick Ownership) played in Newport Beach California.
They come to play, but on most nights are outplayed!
Try as they might, this night saw the Giants drop another contest by a respectable score of 9-5.
Final shots through three saw Tri-City outshoot the Giants 28-23.