Winter Hawks at Giants: Final January Recap

Game: Portland Winter Hawks at Vancouver Giants, January 31st, 2007 Vancouver, British Columbia, Pacific Coliseum

Starting Goalies:
Portland's Kurtis Michna
The Giants Tyson Sexsmith

Giants Scratches:
Lance Bouma (Healthy), Nolan Toigo (Healthy), and Mario Bliznak (MCL)

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Winter Hawks Max Gordichuk
Vancouver's Tim Kraus

Vancouver first answered the scoresheet not even 10 minutes into the game, a big and better difference than the past couple of games, when Michal Repik beat Kurtis Michna for his 17th of the season, with assists being given to Milan Lucic and Jon Blum on the goal scored at 9:58.

In Hockey, after you score you try not to celebrate for too long, but 25 seconds after Repik's icebreaker, Portland netted things up at one-a-piece, as Tristan King scored an unassisted goal at 10:23.

Just as the First Period was winding to a close, Tim Kraus put the Giants in control of the game heading into the First of two intermission breaks, beating Michna for goal number 14 on the season thanks in due to Spencer Machacek and Garet Hunt, who received assists on the 18:00 goal.

Vancouver answered quicker than the first period, in the middle frame, as JD Watt scored his team leading 26th goal of the season at 2:57, on the Powerplay. Assists go to AJ Thelen and 18 year old Mitch Czibere.

For Vancouver's third goal, just over a minute earlier, the G-Men were on the PP, but when Michal Repik scored his 2nd of the night at 3:59, the goal was scored shorthanded, thanks to linemate Milan Lucic who had an assist on the play. For Repik, it was his 18th of the season, as well as his second of the night, and Lucic had two points after Repik's goal also, both of his points (assists) were on Repik's btw.

Vancouver continued their dominance, when AJ Thelen scored his 7th of the season at 11:10, on an unassisted marker that all but finished the game, when the Giants then had a 5-1 lead midway through the game.

JD Watt was handed his first "Stupid" penalty in a while, at 11:57, 2 minutes for Roughing and a 10 minute misconduct also.

Vancouver answered again, this time at 15:18 of the middle stanza, with Jon Blum's 7th of the season, with Kenndal McArdle (Who is IMO a disappointment) and Craig Cunningham getting assists. 6-1 Vancouver, you bet that Portland was hoping that the pain would stop!

On the enusing faceoff, Milan Lucic got in a fight with former Giant Scott Gabriel, a "tough guy" for the Winter Hawks.

We now head into the third period, Giants up 6-1, when Mike Wuchterl proved he is useful after all, as he scored his 7th of the season with Brett Festerling getting an assist on the goal scored at 11:48. 7-1 Vancouver and that's where we'll leave things.

I should add though, that Milan Lucic, Frazer McLaren and Michal Repik (Game Misconduct) combined for 37 penalty minutes on a brawl in the middle of the third period.

Wow. Giants seem to kick Portland's butts alot, first the Season Opener now this, Go Giants!

How our Players to Watch did:
Portland's Max Gordichuk was -2 in his return to the Pacific Coliseum, something that doesn't surprise this WHL fan.

The Giants Tim Kraus had the game winning goal in the second period definetly proved he was worth a roster spot.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Michal Repik was great, in his past form, and although he was kicked out of the game in the Third, played great otherwise.
2. AJ Thelen was spectacular finally living up to his hype.
3. Milan Lucic had two fights, a goal and an assist, way to get a Gordie Howe Hat-Trick!

Giants next play Friday night at home, for a home and home against the Kelowna Rockets.

Bliznak out, Kraus out and about: January 31st Preview against Portland

First off, Tim Kraus was BENCHED Saturday night against Prince Albert for his play as of late, hopefully its a warning call to our leading scorer.

Secondly, Mario Bliznak was injured Friday night in Kamloops but no fan (at least that I know of) knew until after Saturday's game against Prince Albert. Bliznak will be out for 6-8 weeks, meaning his return before the First Round of the Playoffs is doubtful. Too bad, because he was having a great season.

So with that in mind, James Wright and Lance Bouma will now see more ice time than usual, and less time watching the game from the stands.

Game Preview:
January 31st vs Portland Winter Hawks, Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C.

Projected Starting Goalies:
Portland: Kurt Michna
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Portland's Max Gordichuk, the former Giant and "useless" player, is wearing an "A" for Portland and will bring his physical style of play back to Vancouver.

The Giants Tim Kraus was benched Saturday night due to a lack of effort, so let's see if Kraus can regain his form against Portland.


Let me also add that JD Watt and Milan Lucic are on fire, proving me wrong that they were both losing form and should be benched. Lucic has been great physically and offensively lately, scoring Vancouver's only goal in Kamloops, and Watt hasn't taken many if any stupid penalties in the past couple of weeks and has actually scored some goals!

Tyson Sexsmith is improving but needs to make sure he doesn't become too self-confident, because for all I know he could be going 50/50 with Blaine Neufeld the rest of the way.

Go Giants!

Prince Albert at Giants: January 27th Recap

Game: Prince Albert Raiders at Vancouver Giants, January 27th, 2007, Vancouver, British Columbia

Starting Goalies:
Prince Albert's Jesse Deckert
Giants' Tyson Sexsmith

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Prince Albert's Mike Gauthier
Vancouver's Garet Hunt

Giants Scratches:
Tim Kraus (Unknown), Mario Bliznak (Unknown), Brent Regner (Healthy)

I know nothing on why Mario Bliznak and Tim Kraus were scratched from tonight's Hockey Game, no indication from the Radio Broadcast, and nothing online yet.

Vancouver was in desperate need of a win coming into the hockey game, and a quick start was necessary in order to have a shot at winning the game and taking over top spot in the BC Division once again over the Kamloops Blazers. They did get off to a quick start, and it was last night's goal scorer Milan Lucic who was on the scoresheet first. Lucic's 21st beat Deckert at 4:36, and Michal Repik was given credit for the assist.

Already up 1-0, still early in the game, Vancouver answered again, this time it was veteran 19 year old Calgary Flames Prospect JD Watt who scored his 25th of the season at 10:03, thanks to Nolan Toigo (In a rare start) who was given credit for an assist and his second WHL career point. I should add that Watt now has 7 goals in his last 8 games, which is amazing considering he had a streak of two goals in 22 games before that. So in his last 30 games, he has 9 goals, 7 of which have come in the past 8 games. Confused enough? Let's move on.

Another Giant who's had a Goal less drought this season, AJ Thelen who had a streak of 22 games without a goal dating dating back to November 10th as a member of the Raiders (Tonight's opponent) until scoring one January 23rd against Tri-Cities, scored just 13 seconds after Watt, giving the Giants a huge lead just halfway through period number one. Thelen's 6th of the season was assited by James Wright and Lucic at 10:15.

Two minutes after Thelen's goal, and his own, JD Watt was sent to the sin bin after getting into a scrap with Justin Palazzo, even though Watt was handed a Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty and Palazzo a Roughing call.

The Giants lead 3-0 after the first period of play, with Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith stopping all of the 9 shots he faced in the 20 minutes of action.

Raiders Goalie Jesse Deckert was stellar in the Second Period of play, stopping 15 of 16 shots in the period alone, with the lone Giants goal going to Mitch Czibere at 17:37, his 5th of the season went unassisted.

The Third period was shaping up to be useless and pointless considering the Giants had such a big lead heading into the final 20 minutes of play, but if you had told that to Ryan DePape he would've told you to be quiet. The Assistant Captain of Prince Albert scored his 17th of the season at 11:30 of the Final frame, thanks to Captain Mike Hellyer who was credited with an assist on the Shutout breaker for Tyson Sexsmith.

That was as close as Prince Albert would get to tying the game up however, as the Giants cruised to a 4-1 victory over Prince Albert, in front of a hometown crowd of 9844 at the Pacific Coliseum. This win was needed by Vancouver and without it, IMO the Giants would've been on the long road to Golfing between the Regular Season and the Memorial Cup. Thank goodness we won though!

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Raiders D-Man Mike Gauthier wasn't as noticeable as he had hoped to be in front of his hometown crowd, and for one of the first times during this season wasn't sent to the Penalty Box. (He leads the league in PIMs)

Garet Hunt was a castaway for the Giants tonight not being the Penalty Box rocker type or the medeocre offensive Hunt.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Wacey Rabbit, had a good game all around despite not having a point. Was the Building's First Star I should add.
2. Milan Lucic had a goal and an assist for Vancouver and continues his Point Streak which now stands at two games lol.
3. AJ Thelen had a goal against his former team and also two Penalties, proving he can be physical as well as offensive.

The Giants next play at home Wednesday against Portland, and I will give you an update on the Scratchings of Mario Bliznak and Tim Kraus ASAP

Prince Albert at Giants: January 27th Preview

Game: Prince Albert Raiders at Vancouver Giants, January 27th, Vancouver B.C.

Projected Starting Goalies:
Prince Albert's Jesse Deckert
Giants' Blaine Neufeld

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Prince Albert Raiders 19 year old D-Man Mike Gauthier is returning home to Vancouver (actually he's from North Van) and the league leader in Penalty Minutes as well as being right up there in fights (Tied for Third in WHL Fights with Garet Hunt of Vancouver) will be ready to drop the gloves at any time in what may be his final game at the Pacific Coliseum.

The Giants Garet Hunt is tied for Third in WHL Fights with the Raiders Mike Gauthier, and Hunt is due for not only a good game offensively, physically too.

Projected Giants Scratches:
Nolan Toigo, Craig Cunningham, Lance Bouma

Go Giants!

I should also mention Dustin Slade who walked out on Vancouver two months ago has signed in Junior A Hockey with Halifax in the Maritime Junior league. And remember how he left because he was splitting goaltending duties with a 17 year old...well he's splitting goaltending duties with a 17 year old in Halifax...who would've known!

Giants at Kamloops: January 26th Recap

Game: Vancouver Giants at Kamloops Blazers, January 26th, Kamloops B.C.

Starting Goalies:
Vancouver's Tyson Sexsmith
Blazers' Dustin Butler

Giants Scratches:
James Wright, Craig Cunningham and Nolan Toigo

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Michal Repik
Kamloops' Reid Jorgenson

6 minutes into the hockey game, as the two teams tied for First Place were just getting started, Wacey Rabbit nailed Victor Bartley as he was on the ice after hitting Tim Kraus resulting in a mini-fight between Rabbit and Blazers Tough Guy Terrance Delaronde. While Kamloops was on the Powerplay, Juuso Puustinen capitalized, scoring his 25th of the Season with assists going to Jorgenson and Ellerby at 7:14 on the PP. This 5-4 opportunity wasn't helped by the fact that Giants Mitch Czibere had lost his stick on the play, making it more like a 5-3 for Kamloops, and Tyson Sexsmith fell before the goal went past the line.

Not even two minutes later, Milan Lucic netted a milestone, his 29th Career WHL Goal, 20th of the season yet more importantly the game equalizer. Ryan Bender was serving for Kamloops on the Cody Franson re-directed shot by Michal Repik tic-tac-toe to Milan Lucic who beat Butler. Franson and Repik had the assists. High Scoring game so far...think it'll continue? Nah!

End of period one.

The Second Period was the most exciting hockey period in the past couple of months, yet no penalties or no goals were scored, (or given in the penalties case) but Kamloops did have a goal that should've counted but Referee Rob Matsuoka didn't allow it, giving Vancouver a huge break.

End of the Middle Frame.

Nothing eventful happened in the Third either, except when Sasha Golin was handed a penalty at 14:24, the first penalty given in the game in over 30 minutes. However, with 0.4 seconds left on the Third Period Game Clock, Victor Bartley took a shot for Kamloops that nailed the Post, and was the best thing that had happened to Tyson Sexsmith all night, because the goal would've counted had it gone in the net.

Overtime baby! The 4 on 4 "exciting" brand of hockey was more like Gordie Howe lacin' 'em up for Detroit once again, because it was so boring I couldn't stand watching. So it's going to be a shock when I say....SHOOTOUT!

Kenndal McArdle made the first shot of the shootout round, his first of the season (Shot in a shootout) and was robbed by Dustin Butler.

Juuso Puustinen wasn't robbed however beating Tyson Sexsmith 5 hole, giving Kamloops a one goal edge in the shootout.

Wacey Rabbit went high and wide of Butler for his shot, giving Reid Jorgenson a shot to end it all with one goal for Kamloops.

Jorgenson shot but was denied by Sexsmith, keeping Vancouver alive. JD Watt needed to score in order to tie the shootout up, and give Vancouver any hope of taking away 2 points.

Watt shot and missed, giving Kamloops another win, and more importantly for them first place in the WHL BC Division.

Game Notes:
Brendan Mikkelson blew some key chances late, including once on the Sasha Golin Powerplay, when he blew a pass to Jon Blum that could've won Vancouver the game. He fell down (Mikks) numerous times with the puck in his own zone, and you have to wonder, why isn't Don Hay benching him yet?

This is Wacey Rabbit's second game as a Giant without a point, the other being January 14th against Kootenay in a shutout for the Ice.

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Michal Repik had an assist on Milan Lucic's goal, and took a couple more shots in the slot later on.

Reid Jorgenson had an assist on Juuso Puustinen's goal and was also denied a goal from Tyson Sexsmith in the shootout.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Juuso Puustinen for Kamloops had their lone Regulation Goal and the Game Winner in the shootout.
2. Tyson Sexsmith rose to the challenge and had a great game despite the loss and the fact that three key opportunities for Kamloops hit the post.
3. Keaton Ellerby was stellar for Kamloops with an assist on the night but lacked his usual physical presence.

Giants at Kamloops: January 26th Preview

Game: Vancouver Giants at Kamloops Blazers, January 26th, 2007, Kamloops, British Columbia

Projected Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith (Definite)
Kamloops: Dustin Butler

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Michal Repik has slowly regained his form before the World Juniors, and needs to step up to help the Giants win.

The Blazers Reid Jorgenson has been key for the Kamloops team lately, and seems to have a little extra zip to his game against Vancouver.

Projected Giants Scratches:
Nolan Toigo (D), Craig Cunningham (Wing) and James Wright (Center)

Go Giants!

News & Notes

- The Vancouver Canadians are bringing back Manager Rick Magnante and Pitching Coach Craig Lefferts for the 2007 season, and former Hitting Coach Benny Winslow has been kicked up to Kane County of the midwest league, thus leaving the C's hitting coach position vacant at the moment.

- MVP 07 NCAA Baseball from Ea Sports comes out in stores (American have to order online if you're Canadian) February 6th, and it won't disappoint with the Arkansas Cheerleaders plus Former Vancouver Canadians such as Jermaine "The Pain" Mitchell, Pat "In the Hat" Currin and many more.

- MLB 07: The Show comes out on store shelves across North American Feb 26th, and will include not only the original Career Mode but a new one, stay tuned once I review that later on in the month.

- A couple weeks ago I posted about BC Buzz an online radio station that will talk about different issues around Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, hosted by everyone's favourite Nat Bailey On-Field Announcer Dave Michael Garg (Previously known to us C's fans as Davin), and in last night's episode of the Sports Bar, he interviewd Departing BC Lions Ryan Thelwell. You should check it out on BCBuzz.ca, click Sports bar and go from there.

- Memorial Cup Two game packages are on sale, get yours now before it's too late!! Go to Whl.ca for more information or contact me directly at jfk_lionsfan@hotmail.com

Giants Preview will be up when I get home.

Tri City at Giants Semi-Recap

Vancouver was terrible that's all I'm gonna say. No major recap of the 4-2 loss just how our Players to Watch did.

Colton Yellow Horn had two of Tri-Cities goals.

AJ Thelen had his first two points in a Giants uniform.

I'm not meaning to keep information to myself, but if the Giants get beatup pretty badly. No recap because it's just a waste of time writing about a bad game. No offence.

Tri Cities at Giants: January 23rd Preview

Game: Tri City Americans at Vancouver Giants, January 23rd, Vancouver, B.C.

Projected Starting Goalies:
Tri Cities: Team Canada World Junior MVP Goalie Carey Price
Vancouver: Blaine Neufeld

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Tri Cities' Colton Yellow Horn is the reigning WHL Player of the Week and has three points to date in two games against Vancouver this season.

The Giants AJ Thelen needs to get his first point as a Giant, before he develops a hated player by the fans.

Keys to the Game:
Tri Cities: Blaine Game; Americans need to shoot at Blaine Neufeld otherwise no playing the Blaine (Blame) game.
Vancouver: Score of pay the Price: The Giants need to get on the board early or else pay the Price of Goalie Carey Price.

Projected Giants Scratches:
Toigo, Wuchterl (flu), Wright

Giants Question/Comment

A reader posted a comment in last night's game recap post, and I thought I'd respond before the Giants hit the ice again tomorrow.

Something is missing from this team and it concerns me alot. The last thing you want to do when hosting the Memorial Cup, is to get in by default. You want to win the WHL or you league to get in my winning, not by hosting it.

Chad Scharff left a huge hole in this team, and the Jason Reese trade seemed to deflate the G-Men.

First off, Kenndal McArdle was hyped up to be a great player, and only played maybe a half dozen games before the Wjs and was OK, and then coming back from the WJs he's been one of the quietest players on the ice. Jason Reese has been on fire for Moose Jaw, so winner of that trade; MOOSE JAW

Blaine Neufeld was acquired for a pick and has been great for Vancouver so far: Winner VANCOUVER

The Wacey Rabbit trade was a snag and will definetly help Vancouver out in the long run, compared to Dulle who was receiving minimal ice time a game. WINNER: VANCOUVER

The Thelen for Flatters and Deck was hyped up to be a great trade, but although Flatters did nothing, Deck was a good prospect, and Thelen in his last WHL year has been anything but great for Vancouver. Flatters has almost the same amount of points in less than 10 games with PA than in 30+ with Vancouver...Winner PRINCE ALBERT

Finally Wuchterl for Lamb was terrible for Vancouver in two ways. Because of acquiring Thelen (OVERRATED) we had to trade Lamb or Festerling away and most teams don't trade away their captains so bye bye Lamber, but I don't see a point for Wuchterl, he can hit and hides behind teammates. Winner: LETHBRIDGE

And well deciding which overager to keep between Scharff and Lamb (Festerling and Slade were untouchable) at the start of the year was tough and ability wise they went with Lamb, but had they kept Scharff, I don't think we'd be losing right now.

As per Slade, he did nothing when he left. Last year he was deflating Sexsmith before his starts by getting him down on his game etc. but Sexsmith isn't ready as a 17 year old starter in the WHL, Neufeld (19) should carry the load this year because honestly Sexsmith isn't experienced.

Bad moves, letting go of Scharff, trading Lamb, acquiring Thelen and trading Reese. Good moves, Rabbit and Neufeld, as for Slade, Vancouver had nothing to do with his decision, and btw he isn't playing hockey at the moment, how's that for his "Pro Hockey" career. We're rootin for ya Dustin, hope Minimum Wage suits you well!

Everett at Giants: Recap January 21st

Game: Everett Silvertips at Vancouver Giants, January 21st, 2007, Vancouver, BC

Starting Goalies:
Everett's Leland Irving
The Giants Tyson Sexsmith

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Tips Moises Gutierrez
Vancouver's Wacey Rabbit

Giants Scratches:
Nolan Toigo (Healthy), James Wright (Healthy), Mike Wuchterl (Unknown)

This game wasn't the bench brawling game like Friday night but it was one that would keep you and the millions of viewers watching on Sportsnet, on the edge of your seats.

The game got off to a rather quick start, when just Three and a Half minutes into the game, Garet Hunt and Brennan Sonne got into a quick fight that left fans cheering for minutes. Hunt and Sonne threw quick Old-School punches at each other, and when Sonne signaled for the refs to break things up, the 5'8 Hunt wouldn't allow it punching Sonne harder than before. We'll give G-Hunt the edge in the fight.

Twenty Seconds after Hunt and Sonne's fight had finished, Giants JD Watt was handed one of two Interference penalties of the period, because 16 year old Knowitall cheapskate Kyle Beach was shoving him around trying to tick Watt off so much he'd be charged with a penalty.

Five minutes after Watt had left the sin bin, and long after Hunt and Sonne were dismissed, Everett hit the scoreboard first, when Ondrej Fiala scored his 6th of the season, with Jesse Smyke and Damir Alic being credited with assists.

Twelve Seconds later, when Vancouver still had the line of Bliznak, Hunt and Lucic on the ice, Everett answered again beating Tyson Sexsmith, this time Moises Gutierrez had the marker that put the 'Tips up by two, with assists going out to Mueller and Strong.

Five minutes later, Michal Repik scored his 16th of the season fooling Leland Irving him and scoring in fashion, as it trickled past Irving's stick before an Everett Player (Jason Fransoo) tipped the puck in the net.

That was the end of the opening frame, and it was certainly more exciting than the previous three games first periods combined. 2-1 'Tips.

Vancouver wasted no time tying the game up once the Second Period was underway, when Wacey Rabbit scored his 3rd of the campaign past Irving, after a pass from Spencer Machacek. Suddenly things were looking brighter for Vancouver, 2-2 tie.
Not even a minute later, JD Watt scored his Third goal in two games, as his 23rd went past Irving, with Garet Hunt and Lance Bouma being credited with assists. Giants score Three unanswered and it's a 3-2 hockey game.

One of Everett's hottest players Dan Gendur brought the Tips back in the game, three minutes after Watt's goal, scoring his 11th of the season past Tyson Sexsmith.

While Kenndal McArdle served a Slashing Penalty, Everett retook the lead, with Peter Mueller's 11th of the season, with help from Ondrej Fiala who had an assist on the Powerplay marker. 4-3 'Tips.

Damir Alic was serving a penalty and only 40 seconds remained on the clock for the middle frame, but Brendan Mikkelson wouldn't let Vancouver go to the dressing room behind, as he scored his Third of the Season, second against Everett this year, with Repik and Lucic having assists on the goal.

4-4 heading into the final period.

We now head to the 8 minute mark, when some great passing from Cody Franson and Wacey Rabbit helped JD Watt score his second of the game, fourth in two nights, 24th of the season, and more importantly the Giants go ahead goal. 5-4 Vancouver. Now, that goal was on the Powerplay, and out came Ondrej Fiala after the goal, but Everett Coach Kevin Constantine blew a fit, resulting in a two minute minor for the Coach to be served by Kyle Beach and he was even more furious at that, which game Referee Andy Thiessen no other choice than to Throw out the former NHL Benchboss.

On a 5-3 opportunity for Everett, with Wacey Rabbit and AJ Thelen in the box, Zach Hamill scored his 17th of the season, with Jason Fransoo and Peter Mueller being credited with assists, Mueller in part to his shot that was ticked by Fransoo and then re-directed by Hamill, beating 17 year old Tyson Sexsmith.

5-5 game, overtime!

Overtime done! Shootout here I come!

Brennan Sonne started out the shootout for Everett, and beat Tyson Sexsmith, fooling him in fact.
Firstup for Vancouver, was Wacey Rabbit who was stoned by Leland Irving.
Peter Mueller kept up the success he had against Canada in the World Junior Semi-Final shootout, beating Tyson Sexsmith putting the pressure on Michal Repik to score for the G-Men.
Repik takes a shot and robbed by Irving.


Giants lose!

Giants lose 6-5 in a shootout, and I'm beginning to lose all confidence in Tyson Sexsmith. Not even 20 shots and 5 allowed. Blaine Neufeld will get the start Tuesday against Tri-Cities and hopefully more often if Vancouver wants a chance at the Memorial Cup.

Players to Watch:
Moises Gutierrez scored a goal for Everett early, but left the game with an undisclosed injury later on.
Wacey Rabbit had two points in the Giants loss, adding his point totals to 10 after 6 games.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Peter Mueller had Three Points not including his shootout goal for Everett that put the pressure on Michal Repik to score (which he didn't)
2. JD Watt had two Goals for Vancouver upping his yearly total to 24.
3. Wacey Rabbit is on fire for Vancouver and now has 10 points on the season in just half a dozen games.

Everett at Giants: January 21st Preview

Game: Everett Silvertips at Vancouver Giants, January 21st, 2007, Vancouver, BC

Projected Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith
Everett: Leland Irving

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Everett's Moises Gutierrez seems to have an extra little push in his game against Vancouver, and was handed a couple Minor Penalties for Small Fights on Friday night.

Vancouver's Wacey Rabbit makes his Home Debut as a Giant, and the 20 year old has 8 points in his first 5 games as a Giant, look for him to continue that success against the Everett in the Pacific Coliseum.

Projected Giants Scratches:
Nolan Toigo (Although Jon Blum left last night's game with an injury), Craig Cunningham, James Wright

Game time is 4:00 PM and can be seen across Canada and US Satelite systems on Sportsnet Pacific, West, Ontario, East and more importantly HD!:)

Giants at Kelowna: January 20th Recap

Game: Vancouver Giants at Kelowna Rockets, January 20th, 2007, Kelowna, British Columbia

Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Blaine Neufeld
Kelowna: Kris Westblom

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Giants: Tim Kraus
Rockets: James McEwan

Giants Scratches: Lance Bouma, Craig Cunningham, Nolan Toigo

Game time.

Beep. Period one over. Another exciting yet uneventful first period. You can add up last night's and last Sunday's game against Kootenay to the boring first period total, despite there being some good chances, you can't really explain what happened. There were good chances for both teams but neither capitalized.

The Second Period was much more eventful, and got off to a good start for Rocket fans early on when Brett Festerling was serving a penalty, the Kelowna PowerPlay beat Blaine Neufeld, with Brett Breitkreuz being credited for the goal, while Myles MacRae was handed an assist on the PP marker scored at 4:38. This was not a good start to the middle frame for Vancouver, who going into the game were just a point ahead of Kamloops for the BC Divison lead.

Two minutes later, while this time Vancouver had the Man Advantage, Captain Brett Festerling scored his Fifth of the season, with Wacey Rabbit and Jon Blum setting up the play, giving each of them an extra point to their season totals.

Not even a dozen minutes, later when David Schultz was sent to the box for Kelowna, Giants Coach Don Hay called a strange time out, that ended up working in the Giants favour, when 20 seconds later, Spencer Machacek ticked Kris Westblom off, when he scored his 11th of the season, with Cody Franson and Rabbit being given assists. Suddenly, Vancouver had a 2-1 lead.

Well, the Second Period came to a close, with the Giants heading to the Locker Room happy, while the Rockets uh....weren't happy. They were hoping Captain Chris Ray could find a way to tie the game up, with a Man Advantage heading into the final period, but to no avail, as Tim Kraus stepped onto the ice not even a minute into the Third Period.

For the first Dozen minutes of the 3rd, the Giants and Rockets traded Offensive chances, putting Blaine Neufeld and Kris Westblom in the spotlight, and JD Watt put Westblom in the spotlight even more, when he scored at 15:35, scoring his Team-Leading 21st of the season, after Garet Hunt and Brett Festerling setup Watt's goal, that was shot at the blueline and totally fooled Westblom.

Three minutes later, Watt put the icing on the cake, scoring an Empty Netter, and his 22nd of the season at 18:20.

Last night, there was a brawl between Everett and Vancouver at the end of the game, with JD Watt and Jon Harty going at it, and tonight Milan Lucic and James McEwan went at it when the scoreclock read 20:00, with Lucic pounding McEwan, sending #27 of Kelowna (Lucic #27 for Vancouver) into the Dressing Room fuming.

Giants win! Giants win!

Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Tim Kraus had two giveaways, and a Stupid penalty tonight, leaving me to wonder why he is on the #1 line with Wacey Rabbit.

Kelowna's James McEwan was invisible out there tonight, the only time you could tell it was him was when he got in a fight with Milan Lucic at the end of the game.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Wacey Rabbit had Two assists for Vancouver, bringing his point total to 8 in just Five games, last year when Gilbert Brule re-joined Vancouver, after his first 5 games, he only had 7, giving Rabbit a one point advantage on last years remarkable comeback story.
2. Blaine Neufeld had 24 saves for Vancouver tonight, in another remarkable performance.
3. Brett Festerling had a Goal and an assist, his first points since January 6th against Kamloops.

Giants next play tomorrow at 4:00 PM, when they host the Everett Silvertips, on Sportsnet Channel 22 for those of you in the Lower Mainland, when Tyson Sexsmith and Leland Irving will go head-to-head in a rematch of Friday night's game.

Giants at Kelowna: January 20th Preview

Well It was exactly a year ago today that Gilbert Brule was getting ready to play his first WHL game of the season at home against Kamloops, but tonight there isn't much signficance, except the fact that Vancouver needs a win.

Game: Vancouver Giants at Kelowna Rockets, January 20th, 2007, Kelowna, BC

Projected Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Blaine Neufeld
Kelowna: Kris Westblom

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Tim Kraus was criticized by fans after his poor outing last night, and if he wants to maintain his Second Line position, he needs a big game tonight.

James McEwan for Kelowna, has been in three fights with Vancouver this season, in just two games, one of which with Departed Giant John Flatters, the other two with Garet Hunt and Milan Lucic. Look for McEwan to get in a tustle with another Giant tonight, to try and swing momentum in Kelowna's favour early in the game.

Game time is 7:00 PM, and it can be seen across Western Canada on Shaw Channel 4.

Giants at Everett January 19th Recap & Readers Comments

Before I get into tonight's game, first I'll answer some questions posted not too long ago on the site.

First off, a question was asked what Sexsmith has done compared to Slade last year stats wise.

Well, coming into tonight's game, Sexsmith had played 30 games with a record of 19-6-2-3, a GAA of 1.99, a Save Percentage of 0.911 and 6 shutouts.

Last season Slade had a record of 36-13-0-5, add on a 1.90 GAA average, a 0.912 Save Percentage and 11 shutouts, in 15 more games than Sexsmith this season.


Comparing records, Slade has the edge, GAA wise Slade but barely, and consider Sexsmith is just 17 years old, compared to Slade a 19 year old last year, and Save Percentage wise, it is divided by 0.001.

Seriously, IMO Sexsmith is better too.

As per the second question, Slade was playing Pick-up in Penticton last I heard, with no Pro team offering him a contract. And, his crazy cousin has visited all kinds of WHL sites saying dozens of European Teams have looked into Slade but he hasn't decided which one yet, from what one of our sources tells us (and he got this from Slade's ex-agent), none of that is true, let's see what wacko cousin says next.

Now there was a game to recap...

Game: Vancouver Giants at Everett Silvertips, January 19th, 2007, Everett, Washington

Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith
Everett: Leland Irving

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver: Jon Blum
Everett: Kyle Beach

Giants Scratches: Craig Cunningham, James Wright and Nolan Toigo (That's right Spencer Machacek returned early from injury)

Over half a dozen penalties, then buzzer goes, fans go wild, concession time at intermission.

Start of the Second was much more interesting and exciting than the First Period, so there was still hope. That hope was shifted in Vancouver's favour 5:48 into the Middle Frame, when Kenndal McArdle, not known for his physical presence, fought Moises Gutierrez, and each were handed Five Minute Fighting Majors, and 10 Minute Misconducts, but the good thing is McArdle, who had a penalty already in the game (coincidentally a Unnecessary Roughness call for a mini scrap with Gutierrez who was also handed a penalty), won the fight!:D

Although the momentum was in Vancouver's favour, Everett scored just seconds after McArdle's scrap, with Tim Kraus alreayd in the box, Shane Harper beat Tyson Sexsmith for his second of the season, on the powerplay, with Brandon Campos getting the assist on the 1-0 goal.

About Five minutes after the Harper goal, another pair of opponents were handed penalties at the same time, this time Dan Gendur and Tim Kraus handed Two Minute Roughing calls.

Just out of the box not even three minutes after his penalty was called, Gendur extended the 'Tips lead to two, by beating Sexy for his 10th on the campaign. Harper and Jesse Zetariuk were given assists on the Even-Strength Goal.

Just before the period was over Tim Kraus got onto the Scoring Sheet with his 13th of the season trickling in past Leland Irving, and newcomer Wacey Rabbit continuing to find ways to score points, getting the assist.

End of period. At least more exciting, even if Giants are losing by a goal, than the first, but it isn't as exciting as the Third...read on.

Everett got their lead back when their Newest Player Dane Crowley scored his 6th of the year, with the two earlier Silvertips scorers Harper and Gendur getting the assists.

At 6:19, Zack Dailey and Kenndal McArdle (His Fourth penalty and 19th PIM for those keeping score at home) were handed Two-Minute minors for a mini-tustle, but the show would go on.

A minute later, Wacey Rabbit answered the scoreboard, with a goal of his own, closing the gap to a goal, and please do credit Repik and Lucic with the assists, which brought Vancouver to one behind.

Almost exactly Six minutes after Rabbit's goal, Everett scored again, with Peter Mueller netting his 10th, with Fiala and Gutierrez with the assists. 4-2 Everett.

The Giants were fed-up at this point, and it sure showed when Rookie, and not at all a physical presence Lance Bouma got in a fight with Everett Goat Kyle Beach (also a Rookie) mere seconds after Mueller's goal. Bouma fighting shows you that Vancouver was tired of having Everett pick on them, and way to Go Boomer is all I'm going to say!

OK, now that was all the action during the 60 minutes of hockey meaning the Giants lost, but the game wasn't done as the horn sounded. No ma'am as they'd say in Everett. A Multi-Team fight erupted, resulting in 5 players being handed penalties, the most notable being Kenndal McArdle who received an extra 14 minutes to his game total, which after the brawl stood at 33 for the night, and Brennan Sonne for Everett, who finished the night with 38 PIMS, 36 of which occured after the game. JD Watt, was the only other Giant penalized for Fighting with Jon Harty, and Mike Alexander was handed a 5 minute penalty for Everett.

Giants lost, we were terrible to say the least, but huge props to Lance Bouma, JD Watt and more importantly Kenndal McArdle.

Bouma fighting is unbelieveable and he will be my favourite player from now on.
Watt has been on fire since being criticized and JD if you're out there, You proved me Wrong!
McArdle has been offensively on fire lately, but tonight's physical style of game is one I'd like to see more often, to the disbelief of Coach Don Hay.

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Jon Blum was un-noticeable in one of the more physical hockey games in history.

Everett's Kyle Beach was in a fight with Lance Bouma, and was playing his usual Physical style of hockey against the Giants.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Lance Bouma, forget the score Boumer is my First Star tonight, anyone who fights Kyle Beach deserves props but for your first WHL fight is even better!
2. Kenndal McArdle, one of the only bright spots in Vancouver's game tonight, even though he watched most of it from the box.
3. Leland Irving, you have to give Everett props, especially Irving who won the Silvertips the game IMO.

Giants play tomorrow in Kelowna, btw and a Preview will be up tomorrow. The game can be seen across Western Canada on Shaw Channel 4, at 7:00 PM.

And on another note, Sexsmith was terrible tonight, no offence to him, just terrible, hopefully he rebounds when these teams meet against Sunday at Pacific Coliseum.

Giants Preview: January 19th at Everett and Anonymous Comment

First off, I'll answer a reader's question.

In regards to how much ice time Mitch Czibere gets, I would say your guess of 10 minutes is about correct. Of course, it varies by game, and how well Rabbit, Kraus and Bliznak (The three top Centers) are performing, but the plus side for Czibere is that he can also play LW, giving him more time on the ice, at a different position. Primarily he plays at Center, on the fourth line as of late, but has seen some more time at LW since the Trade Deadline and the acquisition of Rabbit. I, along with some other Giants fans, think Czibere should be given an "A" instead of JD Watt, but for now, Czibere will have to play on the fourth line primarily as a center, and some times on the third line on the wing.

Game Preview time:
Game: Vancouver Giants at Everett Silvertips, Friday January 19th, Everett, Washington, 7:35 PM

Projected Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith
Everett: Leland Irving

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Jon Blum is returning to the Giants lineup after participating in the CHL Top Prospects Game Wednesday in Quebec, (along with teammates Michal Repik and Tyson Sexsmith), and has put on a show for Vancouver fans lately, let's see if he can keep it up in Everett.

Kyle Beach a Rookie for Everett has a Bulls Eye on his head every time Everett meets Vancouver, and don't expect Friday to be any different.

Keys to the Game;
Michal makes a Signal: Michal Repik needs to get the Goal signal on in Everett to boost the Giants no matter what the score, and hopefully the Top Prospects Game served well for his confidence going into the game. Look for Mario Bliznak and Kenndal McArdle to help Repik score, or Repik helping Bliznak or McArdle to score, as long as that line is on fire, the Giants should be good to go.

Irving a deserving: Silvertips Goalie Leland Irving faces the Giants for the first time this season, and first time against Vancouver since a loss to Vancouver in last year's WHL Playoffs. Irving has been and will be the key to a Tips win.

Go Giants! Remember, this is game one of a three game weekend, that includes Saturday's game in Kelowna being televised on Shaw Channel 4, and Sunday's game at home against Everett on Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD.

giants

Well, the Giants were shutout 2-0 by Kootenay on Sunday, and there's no need for a Recap, if you didn't listen, you missed nothing.

Spencher Machacek, injured Saturday night is out Indefinetly, and will not play before Saturday's game.

THanks to the Anonymous posters in the Comments section for Kootenay's Preview.

To Anonymous #1: You won't see much of Brent Regner or Nolan Toigo (When he's in the lineup) on the PK or PP, mostly Mikkelson (More rare as the season wares on), Franson, Blum and Thelen or Festerling. Up front, you'll see Repik, Bliznak, Lucic and pretty much all of the key scorers on the team, plus Garet Hunt:P

Regularily, Repik, Bliznak and McArdle are line Number Two, while Lucic, Rabbit and Kraus can usually be the number one line. Watt, Wuchterl and the others are being rotated around the bottom two lines, and Bouma and Wright will alternate game in game out once the Team is back at Full Strength.

Anonymous 2: No the Giants don't suck they havn't been at Full Strength for over a month now, and the Trades at the Deadline had a huge impact on the Rookies.

Giants play Friday in Everett.

Giants at Kootenay :Preview

Game: Vancouver Giants at Kootenay Ice; January 14th, 2007; Cranbrook, BC

Projected Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Blaine Neufeld
Kootenay: Taylor Dakers

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Mario Bliznak was on fire before going to the World Juniors in December, and had a point in last night's game, look for him to come up big against the Ice.

Ben Maxwell, a Fourth Round NHL Draft pick from North Vancouver is third in League scoring, and will look to bring his point total up against Blaine Neufeld.

Keys to the Game:
D-D-D! The Giants need to stay on Defence against an offensive team.

BM for PM: Most Ice fans are huge on Ben Maxwell ( who graduated from my school six years ago), and they have reason to, Maxwell is third in League Scoring, and the Montreal Draft Pick is expected to play in the AHL two years from now when he's eligible. Maxwell if on a Breakaway is unstoppable.

Giants at Lethbridge: January 13th Recap

Game; Vancouver Giants at Lethbridge Hurricanes; January 13th 2007, Lethbridge, Alberta

Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith (Last second decision to yank Neufeld before the start of the game)
Lethbridge: Justin Leclerc

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver: Mike Wuchterl
Lethbridge: Kyle Lamb

Key to the Game for the Giants: JD (J'ai dis is French and means I said, and this refers to JD Watt at the same time) stay out of the box.

Lethbridge's Key to the Game: RK on the PK, Ryan Kerr needs to come up strong, especially when on the PowerKill (PK).

Giants Scratches:
Nolan Toigo (Healthy), Craig Cunningham (Healthy), Milan Lucic (Suspension)

That's right, Milan Lucic was handed a one-game suspension for his hit on Darren Helm of the Medicine Hat Tigers last night, shocker. Now onto the game...

We mentioned in our keys to the game how Ryan Kerr needed to come up big for Lethbridge tonight, well the North Vancouver native sure came up big, but in a different way, to give you a hint, 6 minutes into the hockey game, the 18 year old was sent to the sin bin for a Hooking call.

Beep. Period over. How exciting was that, real nail biter!!!! *rolls eyes*

Okay, second period time. Last night this blog was ragging on about JD Watt and how he is worthless to this hockey club, and tonight Watt faced his critics and opened the scoring, beating Justin Leclerc on a rebound attempt. Watt had help from Wacey Rabbit's shot, who received the puck from teammate Tim Kraus. The goal was scored on the Powerplay, when Tom Kudelka was handed his second Penalty of the game. The goal was scored just a minute into the middle frame.

The Giants didn't give up after Watt's 19th of the season, as just 50 seconds later, Kenndal McArdle scored one of his own. McArdle's line of Bliznak and Repik helped him score his 13th of the campaign, but neither were handed assists on the goal scored at 1:53 of the Second period, exactly 49 seconds after Watt stunned his critics.

Just minutes later, when Hurricanes' Kris Hogg was penalized, Lethbridge native Spencer Machacek got his hometown fans excited, despite playing for the other team, when went into Double Digits scoring wise on the season, scoring his 10th at 4:08, with Thank-Yous being sent out to Wacey Rabbit and Cody Franson who had the assists on the play. A shocking and with the Giants last couple of games, a rare lead, 3-0.

I mentioned Ryan Kerr's early penalty in the First, and he was handed another just after Machacek's goal, but none were more memorable than his hit at 12:05 of the Second Period. Kerr gave Spencer Machacek an elbow to remember, and of course Kerr was handed a 5-Minute Major because Machacek was bleeding, and also a 10 Minute game misconduct. Machacek left the game, didn't return, and is not expected for tomorrow night's game against the Ice in Cranbrook.

The Second Period ending, after an Ejection, Three Vancouver goals, and an astounding 10 penalties in 20 minutes of play.

With just a second remaining on Garet Hunt's Charging penalty, Lethbridge capitalied on the Powerplay, when Dwight King shot the puck past Tyson Sexsmith, for his 9th goal on the season. King's goal was assisted by Kyle Lamb (The Former Giant) and Kyle Bailey, the former Captain of the Portland Winterhawks. The 'Canes cut the lead to two goals with just over 13 minutes remaining in the hockey game.

JD Watt wasn't done with his 19th of the season earlier in the game, he had to get to 20, he just had to and three minutes after Dwight King's goal, Watt did just that, scoring his 20th of the season with helpers going to Mario Bliznak and Kenndal McArdle. I should also note that D-Man AJ Thelen was on the ice for this goal and McArdle's earlier goal, bringing his game total to +2 and for the season to an even zero. Zip. Nada.

While Zach Boychuk was serving another Lethbridge penalty, the Giants put the icing on the cake, by scoring their fifth goal of the game, this time by Rookie James Wright, who after every game he is forced to watch in the stands, always comes up with a goal the next game, he was in the stands for last night's contest against Medicine Hat. Wright's fifth of the season was assisted by Mikkelson and Hunt at 13:11 on the Powerplay, I should also note that 3 of the Giants 5 goals were PP goals, as was Lethbridge's lone goal.

Giants win! Giants win!

How our Road Kill Sports Players to Watch did:
Vancouver's Mike Wuchterl had two penalties in his Giants debut, as well as his return to Lethbridge, and was sloppy on the puck, when presented opportunities.

Kyle Lamb for the 'Canes had an assist against his former team, and along with the rest of the Hurricanes, was unnoticeable other than that.

Keys to the Game:
JD stay out of the box: Well, JD must've heard what I SAID, because he and most other Giants stayed out of the box tonight, and Watt even had two Goals!

RK on the PK didn't turn out well for Lethbridge, as Ryan Kerr was handed two minor penalties, along with a Major for Elbowing and a Game Misconduct when he Elbowed Spencer Machacek.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Wacey Rabbit, four points in two games, this kid is phenomenal, no wonder he didn't want to go back to the slumping Blades.
2. Kenndal McArdle had a Goal and an assist, bringing his point total with the Giants to 8, in just nine games.
3. JD Watt answered his critics, scored two goals, but won't be named First Star, because of his performance last night.

Ice Chips:
- Spencer Machacek left the game in the Second Period after being Elbowed by Ryan Kerr, did not return and is doubtful for Tonight's tilt against Kootenay. Machacek will have to miss the Top Prospects game on Wednesday in Quebec City because of his injury, which is a Concussion, and get this, he was Elbowed minutes after scoring a goal, and later had to ask teammate Milan Lucic (who was serving a one-game suspension) how he scored the goal!

- Milan Lucic served his one-game suspension for a knee on Medicine Hat's Darren Helm, and will return to the Giants lineup Sunday against Kootenay, replacing Spencer Machacek

Giants, like I said play tonight at 5:00 PM against Kooteany in Cranbrook.

Giants at Lethbridge: January 13th Preview

Game: Vancouver Giants at Lethbridge Hurricanes, January 13th, 2007, Lethbridge, Alberta

Starting Goalies (Projected):
Vancouver: Blaine Neufeld
Lethbridge: Justin Leclerc

Road Kill Sports Keys to the Game:
Vancouver needs to stay out of the box, and take shots on Hurricanes netminder Justin Leclerc, in order to have a shot at winning this hockey game. JD Watt and Milan Lucic need to stop taking dumb penalties and help Vancouver get some points.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are in last place in the Central Divison, yet are above .500, the 'Canes will be facing Blaine Neufeld, who beat the Hurricanes earlier this season as a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers. D-Man Ryan Kerr is due, and will need to come up strong for the 'Canes if they are serious about heading into the playoffs.

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Mike Wuchterl will be making his Giants debut, against his former club, and the Puglist will probably get a fight or two in tonight's game.

Kyle Lamb was traded from Vancouver at Wednesday's deadline and will face his former club for the first and last time. Lamb had two assists in his Hurricanes debut last night, and almost had a goal of his own. What will he do to beat Neufeld tonight? We shall see...

Giants Projected Scratches:
Craig Cunningham (Healthy), Lance Bouma (Healthy) and Nolan Toigo (Healthy)

Giants Recap: January 12th

Game: Vancouver Giants at Medicine Hat Tigers, January 12th, Medicine Hat, Alberta

Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith
Medicine Hat: Matt Keetley

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver: Wacey Rabbit
Medicine Hat: Kris Russell

Giants Scratches:
James Wright (Healthy), Nolan Toigo (Healthy) and Mike Wuchterl (Shoulder).

If you were one of the just over 4000 packed inside the Medicine Hat Arena (That's its name), you may have been expecting early fights between the Giants and Tigers, just like in their last meeting, which included two fights in the first five seconds of the game. Well, sadly for those in attendance, no off the bat fights, in fact you'd have to have waited just over a dozen minutes into the game to see some action. While Giants D-Man Brendan Mikkelson was serving a penalty, newcomer Wacey Rabbit netted his first as a Giant, and first this season, with a helper from Michal Repik, making his return to the Giants lineup after representing the Czechs at the World Juniors, putting the G-Men on the scoreboard early.

Not even a minute after Mikks stepped out of the box, the Tigers came out of the hat and scored one of their own, with Chris Stevens scoring his 17th of the season, with helpers going out to teammates Mark Isherwood and Derek Dorsett.

Just a few minutes later, another Tiger prowled over Tyson Sexsmith, scoring his 17th of the year, this time it was Tyler Ennis getting credit for the goal, with Brennan Bosch with the assist. Now, before you start thinking we should've traded for a new goalie etc. this play was not Sexsmith's fault at all. Sexsmith went behind the net to give the puck to Cody Franson, who bobbled the puck, forcing Sexsmith to shoot the puck out of the zone, still behind the net, the shot was deflected by Franson, onto the stick of Bosch who passed it to a wide open Tyler Ennis, who beat Sexsmith, just as he got back into position in net.

With 13 seconds remaining on the clock for the period, JD Watt took another (wheres the italic and bold button when you need it) stupid penalty costing the Giants a rare 5-5 opportunity. Great, the Tigers can start the second period on the Powerplay. It's a shame we didn't trade this fool, because as I skip ahead to the second period, just as he got out of the box for Stupid Penalty#1 on the night, Stupid Penalty #2 sent Watt back in the box. This time a Tripp was the infraction, and as most Giants media and fans have said after tonight's game, it's too bad the Trade Deadline was tomorrow, so we wouldn't have to deal with Watt taking stupid penalties for the next 4 months.

Luckily, the Tigers didn't capitalize on Watt's error, so the score remained 2-1 for the home team. At 7:18, Tim Kraus and Derek Dorsett were each handed two minute penalties for some shoving near the benches, putting the two teams 4-4. Just as the two got out of the box, and I mean just (Tim Kraus was heading to the bench to swap with Mario Bliznak), Medicine Hat beat Sexsmith once again, to extended their lead to 2 goals. Jordan Bendfeld was given credit for the goal, and Chris Stevens with the assist.

We now take you to the almost 19 minute mark of the second period, Giants down by two, no thanks to JD Watt, when all of a sudden Referee Reagan Vetter put his arm up in the air signaling a penalty. Good or bad? The way things were going for Vancouver, it had to have been bad. And bad it was. Milan Lucic was not only handed a 5 minute major for Kneeing, a Game Misconduct was in order which was 10 minutes for the lucky Giant serving it, kicking Lucic out of the game, and keeping Vancouver a man down (no Powerplay after the Kneeing penalty, but a player had to be in the box until 19:39 of the third).

Now we had late into the third period, Giants still down by two, Lucic's 10 Minute Major still being served, and Sexsmith is pulled, Giants get the extra attacker, Mikkelson, Franson, Rabbit, Bliznak, McArdle and Hunt on the ice, Rabbit to Mikkelson, to McArdle he scores!!!!!! 3-2 for the Hat, Giants down by one, and Lucic's 10 Minute Major has expired giving Vancouver 11 Forwards for the remainder of the game (Lucic had hit the Showers by now).

Although they still had 57 seconds left, the G-Men couldn't pull through, and lost their 3rd game in their last 4.

Game Notes:
-Newly Acquired AJ Thelen wasn't recognizable on the ice tonight, but don't blame him as he hasn't even practised with the team yet
-Another one of the newly acquired players Mike Wuchterl sat this one out due to a Shoulder Injury, but will debut as a Giant tomorrow night against the team that traded him, the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

You may think I'm over reacting on Watt, but seriously, I'm not, the guy is ticking more people off than not. If you thought I hated Flatters and Dulle, triple that and you'll find out how much I hate Watt.

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Wacey Rabbit had a Goal and an Assist, giving him points on both of the Giants goals, not bad for someone who is in his first WHL game this season.

Tiger's Captain Kris Russell was pointless on the night, but was on the Scoresheet, as he received a penalty late in the game.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Chris Stevens, Medicine Hat, had a Goal and an assist, with the assist coming on the Game-Winning-Goal.
2. Wacey Rabbit in his debut as a Giant was the best player out there without a doubt, whether it was skating, passing or shooting, he did it all. Way to go Wabbit! :)
3. JD Watt, the kid is terrible, 3rd star for Jerk.

Giants next play tomorrow night in Lethbridge against recently Traded Kyle Lamb and the Hurricanes.

Let's hope Watt isn't dressed for that one.

Giants at Medicine Hat Preview :January 12th

Game: Vancouver Giants at Medicine Hat Tigers, January 12th, 2007, Medicine Hat, Alberta

Projected Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith
Medicine Hat: Matt Keetley

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Wacey Rabbit is one of three Giants dawning the red jerseys for the first time, and last year's Saskatoon Blades captain excelled in the AHL as late as last week, and once you've played alongside Phil Kessell, you know you're good. Rabbit should tear up the WHL from here on in, just like Gilbert Brule did at this time last year (A year ago today it was announced he was coming back for the January 20th game against Kamloops).

Kris Russell is one of the most watched D-Men in the WHL. The Team Canada World Junior leading scorer helped Canada win, just as he does with the Tigers. Russell tore up the ice the last time these two teams met November 3rd, and why should tonight be any different?

Game at 6:30 Pacific, and folks, it is on Shaw Cable Channel 4 tonight, you won't want to miss this one, three giants making their debut.

This is one of four Giants games on TV in the next two weeks! YAY!

Giants make Deadline Deals

A couple of days ago, the Giants acquired Wacey Rabbit from the Saskatoon Blades in return for Kenton Dulle, and the concensus (sp) is that we won that deal.

With today being the WHL deadline day, rumours speculated about Dustin Slade and JD Watt leaving Van City, (Slade isn't with the club but his rights are), however three players that were expected to stay were shipped out.

Heading out east are John Flatters, Kyle Lamb and Prospect Nathan Deck.

Flatters and Deck were sent out to the Prince Albert Raiders in return for Overager AJ Thelen. In my opinion, Thelen is a huge upgrade on Flatters, and brings his First Round NHL Draft abilities to the Giants top Four D-Men.

Trade Winner: Vancouver

Overager Kyle Lamb was dealt to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, to make room for Thelen, and coming back to Vancouver is Michael Wuchterl. Wuchterl is like Garet Hunt, but more physical, and creates scoring chances.

Trade Winner: Vancouver once again

Flatters returns to the Pacific Coliseum Jan27 as his Raiders visit the Giants, while Lamb has played his last game against Vancouver in his hometown, but will face his former 'mates Saturday, as the Giants play the Hurricanes.

News&Notes

Sorry folks, no recap for last night's Giants game but let me make it short, we won 2-0.

On another Giants note, they have acquired what I would call, the best player out there.

The G-Men acquired Wacey Rabbit, the same player who was in Providence of the AHL last week, from the Saskatoon Blades for Kenton Dulle (YAY!) and a 2nd Round Bantam Pick.

Rabbit is a 20 year old Forward, who is worth giving up Dulle IMO.

Rabbit will be in the lineup as the Giants start a 5 game road trip (three of which are this weekend) but between weekends, the Giants will return home, because the two games on the 19th and 20th of January are closer than the Alberta and Kootenay swing this upcoming weekend.


Another note, BCBUZZ.ca is the new home of Vancouver Talk Radio IMO. The site launches January 14th, at Nat bailey Stadium, where Hot Dogs, drinks etc. will be set up to promote the new radio station, only available online.

BCBUZZ.CA is the site, and Dave Michael Garg (Formerly known as Davin Garg to Vancouver Canadians fans as the On Field Announcer) is the host of all shows which are of different variety, including interviews with Sam Sullivan and even as far as Vancouver Canucks.

I reccomend those of you to head to the site tonight to see what it's all about, and go from there!

Go Giants GO!

Red Deer at Giants: January 7th Preview

Game: Red Deer Rebels at Vancouver Giants, January 7th, 2007, Vancouver B.C.

Projected Starting Goalies:

Red Deer: James Reimer
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:

Red Deer's Landon Ferraro a 15 year old Center from Burnaby, is one of six kids of Ray Ferraro, the former NHL star. The younger Ferraro, has played in a couple games with the Blazers already, but would love no better time to get his First WHL Point at home against Vancouver.

Cody Franson, the 19-year old Giant, is playing in his first game since returning from the World Junior Hockey Championship last night. Franson looked more mature on the ice in Sweden than previously this year with Vancouver, let's hope that maturity follows him back onto the ice at Pacific Coliseum.


Yes, you heard me correctly, Cody Franson and Kenndal McArdle return to the Giants after being in Sweden for the past month, with the Canadian World Junior team. Both are expected to be key factors in tonight's game. Other Giants at the tournament Mario Bliznak and Michal Repik won't be back until the Giants Road-Trip starting Next weekend, because they're spending time with their families overseas.

Go Giants!

Giants at Kamloops: January 6th Recap

Game: Vancouver Giants at Kamloops Blazers; January 6th 2007, Kamloops, BC

Starting Goalies:
Vancouver: Blaine Neufeld
Kamloops: Dustin Butler

Road Kill Sports Player to Watch:
Vancouver: Milan Lucic
Kamloops: Reid Jorgenson

Giants Affiliated Player: Mike Piluso #8

If you were in attendance in Kamloops, you'd have had to wait 9 minutes for some good 'ole hockey game action. While Tim Kraus was serving a penalty, Kamloops capitalized, when Captain and WHL Player of the Week Reid Jorgenson scored his 26th goal of the season on the Powerplay.

Jorgenson's 26th of the season assisted by Macias and Rohac at 9:34 on the Powerplay.

With only two minutes left in the first period, Kenton Dulle, the most hated player on this blog, was handed a two-minute tripping minor, with a 10 Minute Misconduct on top of that. Way to go "Dull".

End of period 1.

Just as Dulle came out of the box, about half a dozen minutes into the middle frame, Ryan Bender was handed a penalty, this time putting Vancouver on the Powerplay. The Powerplay attempt was unsuccessful, for Vancouver anyways, as Kamloops scored a rare shorthanded marker at 8:54. This time, Jorgenson was handed an assist, on Tyler Shattock's 4th of the season.

Shattock's 4th of the season assisted by Jorgenson at 8:54, Shorthanded.

With a 2-0 lead, the Blazers couldn't help themselves, but to add another goal, just 7 minutes later, with Jorgenson once again being credited. It was at this point, when Blazers fans were thinking, it's in the bag! We win! Despite the clock reading 15:08 of the second period. None the less, 3-0 Blazers.

Jorgenson's 27th of the season and second of the game, assisted by Bartley and Macias at 15:08, the goal was scored on the Powerplay.

And of course, when your team is down by a couple goals, you get fed up, and Milan Lucic had had enough. Lucic dropped the gloves with Ryan Bender at 17:55 of the middle stanza. Not only did each of the two receive 5 minutes for fighting, Bender was handed an extra 2 minute Roughing call, resulting in a Giants powerplay, which would end five seconds before the buzzer would beep to end the period. The Giants however, were unsuccessful.

Heading into the final period of play, the Giants were down 3-0, on the road making the score even more difficult to overcome.

Four different G-Men were sentenced to serve time in the Sin Bin within the first 12 minutes of the 3rd period, something that did not sit well with Coach Don Hay. As all the four penalties were over, Kamloops was handed one of their own, giving Vancouver their 9th PP of the game. Jordan Rowley was the sentenced Blazer.

Not even a minute into the Powerplay, Lance Bouma may have scored the nicest goal of his career, and he's just a Rookie. A stick to stick pass from Spencer Machacek to Milan Lucic, who then gave the puck to Bouma, who sent it past Dustin Butler for the Giants first goal on the night. 3-1 Blazers.

Bouma's Third assisted by Lucic and Machacek at 14:09 on the Powerplay.

Just over a minute later, Brett Festerling brought things even closer, scoring wise. Festerling beat Butler, for his first of the night, Fourth of the season, and more importantly, the Giants second of the night, bringing their deficit down to a goal.

Festerling's Fourth of the Season was unassisted at 15:18.

The G-Men had one final shot to tie things up, by pulling their Goalie, but at 18:35, when Blaine Neufeld was mere seconds away from being sent to the bench, Spencer Machacek took a costly Slashing penalty, ending any hope of a Giants comeback. Neufeld was pulled, but 5-5 isn't the ideal position being down by one with a minute to go.

Giants lose, 3-2.

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:

Milan Lucic of Vancouver had an assist on Lance Bouma's goal but other than that was invisible on the ice.

Kamloops' Captain Reid Jorgenson continued his new found success, scoring twice and being credited with an assist on Tyler Shattock's Shorthanded marker.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Reid Jorgenson had two goals and an assist, bringing his point streak to 7 games, as well as his Goal streak which is, guess what, at 7 games.

2. Ray Macias had assists on two of the Blazers three goals, one of which was going in the net from a Macias point shot, but was re-directed by Reid Jorgenson.

3. Lance Bouma netted the Giants first goal of the game, on a beautiful play.

The Giants next play Tonight (Sunday) at home against the Red Deer Rebels at 4:00 PM.

Let's hope they can snap that Two game losing streak.

Vancouver Giants at Kamloops Blazers Preview

Game: Vancouver Giants at Kamloops Blazers, January 6th, 2007

Starting Goalies (Projected):
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith (Although Blaine Neufeld may get the start)
Kamloops: Dustin Butler

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Milan Lucic had a Hat Trick against the Blazers last Thursday, finding ways to beat Dustin Butler, lets see if he can do the same again tonight.

Reid Jorgenson the Blazers captain, was WHL Player of the Week for the week up until Jan 1, scoring a Couple Game-Winning Goals.

Go Giants!

Moose Jaw Warriors at Vancouver Giants: January 3rd recap

The last time these two teams met, it was in the WHL Championship Finals last May. The Warriors and G-Men battled it out as the Giants swept Moose Jaw in Four games. Dustin Slade was the Giants goalie back then, and the sounds of "PERRICO-NE" still ring in my head from the two Giants home games of that series. Gilbert Brule netted 5 goals in the two games, including a Hat-Trick in his final Home Game as a Giant.

This year, the two teams battle it out for one game only, as the two divisions play each other once every year. Joey Perricone is still the Goalie for Moose Jaw, but Tyson Sexsmith is the Vancouver netminder.

Game: Moose Jaw Warriors at Vancouver Giants, January 3rd, 2007

Starting Goalies:
Moose Jaw: Joey Perricone
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Moose Jaw: Jason Reese
Vancouver: Brett Festerling

No opening fight, but the Warriors opened the scoring early, as Giffen Nyren beat Tyson Sexsmith to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.

Nyren's first of the season and first of his career, unassisted at 3:22 of the First Period.

Beep. No more exciting action in the first. Period Over. Done. Finito.

56 Seconds into the middle stanza, Kenton Dulle was handed a boarding penalty, giving Moose Jaw a quick 5 on 3 powerplay with Jon Blum having seconds remaining on his penalty. Moose Jaw didn't capitalize.

While Moose Jaw's Travis Ehrhardt was serving a penalty, Kyle Lamb tied things up with a goal of his own. Tim Kraus and Jon Blum were given assists on Lamb's Powerplay marker, although Spencer Machacek looked like he tipped the puck.

Lamb's 12th assisted by Blum and Kraus at 4:35 of the Second Period on the Powerplay.

Beep. Second period over. Finito. Done. Over.

Hopefully the Third Period will be more exciting than the first two.

Another quick start to the period, when JD Watt was serving yet another penalty, his second of the game. Well, the Warriors capitalized, getting their lead back, 2-1 Warriors, as former Giant Jason Reese, and former Everett Silvertip Brady Calla assisted on Riley Holzapfel 22nd goal.

Holzapfel's 22nd assisted by Reese and Calla at 0:37 on the Powerplay.

Only one penalty was called in the Third Period, against Moose Jaw, late in the game, giving Vancouver a final hope to tie things up. 16 shots after the Period started, the Giants were still behind by a goal. When Tyson Sexsmith was pulled for the Extra Attacker, Moose Jaw put the icing on the cake, as Brady Calla scored his 7th goal of the season, into the empty net, with Ryan Stanton and Holzapfel being credited with assists.

Calla's 7th, assisted by Stanton and Holzapfel at 19:44 into the Empty Net.

3-1 Warriors, game over.

Not the most exciting of games, but hey, the Giants outshot Moose Jaw -get this- 40-16, in a losing cause. Joey Perricone was the Warriors saviour on this night.

Game Notes:
-Warriors Garrett Robinson, a Surrey BC Native, who was seriously injured in a early morning car crash on the way back to his billets house in Moose Jaw in October, and has been in a Vancouver hospital for almost two months, was honoured at the game, from his suite, as he watched the Warriors battle out the G-Men.

-Former Giant Jason Reese, along with linemates Riley Holzapfel and Brady Calla were on the ice for at least half of the game for Moose Jaw, surprising considering Reese was getting 5-10 minutes of ice time each game with Vancouver.

Road Kill Sports Player to Watch Recap:
Moose Jaw's Jason Reese, the former G-Men had an assist in his return to Vancouver, and was the most noticeable Warrior on the ice.

Giants Captain Brett Festerling was quiet tonight, except for the fact that he missed a couple key passes on the PP.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Joey Perricone, Moose Jaw Warriors Goalie, stopped 39 of the Giants 40 shots on the night, most of which came on the Third Period powerplay.

2. Tim Kraus, Vancouver Giants, had an assist, and at least gave the Giants opportunities to shoot the puck in the Warriors zone.

3. Riley Holzapfel, Moose Jaw, had a Goal and an Assist, which now gives him 45 Points on the season.

Giants next play Saturday in Kamloops, and Sunday at home to the Red Deer Rebels, who were shutout by Everett tonight.

Team Canada News:
The Canadian World Junior Team won in a 7 Shot Shootout against the Americans in the Semis today, and now will play Russia, in the Gold Medal Game Friday morning at 10:00 AM.

Moose Jaw at Giants: A Preview

Game: Moose Jaw Warriors at Vancouver Giants, January 3rd, 2007, Vancouver B.C.

Projected Goalies:
Moose Jaw: Joey Perricone
Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Moose Jaw: Jason Reese, the former Giant, traded to Moose Jaw in December for Kenndal McArdle will be making his final appearance at the Pacific Coliseum at leaset as a Moose Jaw Warrior. Reese, 19, has only one more year of eligibility in the WHL after 2006-2007, and the next time the Warriors visit Vancouver won't be until 2008-2009.

Vancouver: Giants D-Man Brett Festerling has been getting assists here and there, but expect him to come out strong against the Warriors, and to score a couple goals along the way.

Preview: The Warriors and Giants meet for the first and final time this season, in which will be the first time the teams have met since the WHL Championship Finals last year, when the Giants swept the Warriors en route to the Memorial Cup. Former Giant Jason Reese makes his first appearance in Pacific Coliseum being on a team other than the Giants.

Prediction: Giants 3 Warriors 1

P.S. This is one game I recommend people to go see, the Giants are coming off huge wins, and the Warriors are in a rebuilding phase, should be a great game for Giants fans, and the last chance to see Jason "Reeces Pieces" Reese!

P.P.S. Tomorrow at 6:30 AM Wake up hockey fans, Team Canada plays the Americans in the Semi-Finals of the World Juniors on TSN.

Giants at Chilliwack New Years Eve Recap

Game: Vancouver Giants at Chilliwack Bruins, New Years Eve 2006

Goalies:
Vancouver: Blaine Neufeld
Chilliwack: Matt Esposito

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver: Garet Hunt
Chilliwack: Josh Aspenlind

You didn't have to wait long at Prospera Centre in Chilliwack to see some action, as 20 seconds into the game JD Watt (who signed his first Pro NHL Contract with the Calgary Flames earlier in the day), and Chilliwack netminder Matt Esposito were both charged with two minute penalties for Roughing in Watt's case and Diving in Esposito's.

Just as those penalties expired, Garet Hunt and Colby Kulhanek were each handed Two minute minors, which didn't serve Chilliwack any good, because a minute into Kulhanek's penalty, Josh Aspenlind was handed one of his own, so it's a 4 on 3 opportunity for the G-Men.

The Giants did capitalize on their opportunity, as Milan Lucic netted his 17th goal of the season, with assists from Tim Kraus and Jon Blum, at 4:14.

End of Period 1.

We now head to 13:23 of the second period, when Lucic nets his second of the game, 18th of the season, past Matt Esposito. Spencer Machacek, Saturday Night's Hat-Trick king, received an assist, on Thursday night's Hat-Trick champ (Lucic)'s 18th.

End of Period 2.

Now 8 minutes into the final period, we see Milan Lucic net his third of the game, and Hat-Trick goal, past Espo. Now, if it was a regular Hat-Trick, yipee, but it was a Natural Hat Trick (Three goals scored by the same player in a row). It is also Lucic's second Hat Trick in three games, as he had one Thursday night in a losing cause against the Blazers. Lucic's goal was setup by an amazing pass from Tim Kraus, one that the Radio Announcers couldn't stop raving about, pass of the season according to some Giants fans. Kraus was one of two players with assists on the play, the other being Spencer Machacek.


3-0 Vancouver.

I'll spill the beans, the Giants win the game, and with only 20 seconds remaining, JD Watt got in a fight with Colby Kulhanek, to end things off, in which Watt won, earning himself a 5 minute fighting major and a 10 minute misconduct. Although Watt, who was returning from a One-Game suspension, didn't care because with only twenty seconds on the clock he could hit the showers earlier.

Giants win! Giants win!

Game Notes:
-The sold out crowd in Chilliwack was a crowd of just over 5000, 5000 less people than at the Pacific Coliseum Saturday night, which was half full.

-Milan Lucic scored his 6th goal and 7th point in three games, that has to be WHL Player of the Week stats.

-JD Watt was returning from a One-Game suspension Sunday, and it may be one of his last games in a Giants uniform, because not only is he being targeted by the fans, he is also being targeted by Coach Don Hay.

-The Giants are looking to trade for Regina Pats overager and Giants Captain Brett Festerling's Brother Garrett, a forward who is having success this year. Pats scouts have been at a couple of Giants games recently, and with the WHL Trade Deadline just days away, expect to see Garrett arrive in a Giants uniform sooner rather than later.

Road Kill Sports Players to Watch:
Vancouver's Garet Hunt was held scoreless, after he scored a rare goal Saturday night.

Bruins Captain Josh Aspenlind received 6 Penalty Minutes in the game, two of which, gave the Giants their first and game winning goal.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:
1. Milan Lucic had his second Hat-Trick in three games, that has to be worth something for the Boston Bruins Draft Pick.
2. Tim Kraus had two assists, including a phenomenal pass to Lucic for his Third goal of the game.
3. Blaine Neufeld, the Giants Goalie was in just his second game in a Giants uniform, after being injured in his first, and had a 17 save shutout.

Giants kick 2007 off with a Home Game against the Moose Jaw Warriors Wednesday night at the PNE Coliseum. This is one of the few games I recommend to see, because Jason Reese, who was traded from the Giants to Moose Jaw for Kenndal McArdle, will be making his final appearance at the Pacific Coliseum in the WHL, because the next time the Warriors visit Vancouver, will be in two years, when Reese will be ineligible for the WHL.