Giants defeat Silvertips, to open '08-'09 season

The Vancouver Giants 2008-2009 season got off to the start, they envisioned, defeating Everett 4-0, as the visiting team.

Vancouver put rookie Jamie Tucker in net, making his WHL debut, and after his game in net, he has all but confirmed he'll be Tyson Sexsmith's backup as this season progresses.

Tucker's counterpart, Everett's Shayne Barrie, was making the 23rd appearance in his WHL career.

Vancouver's scratches:

Chris Cloud (Healthy)
JT Barnett (Healthy)
Bronson Maschmeyer (Day to Day)
Curtis Kulchar (Out 4-6 weeks)
Jon Blum (NHL Camp)
Brent Regner (NHL Camp)
Tyson Sexsmith (NHL Camp)

Vancouver dressed 13 forwards and 5 defenceman, after Bronson Maschmeyer's debut this year was held back, due to an ankle injury. He was 'questionable' heading into the game, but was a scratch.

Giants rookie Adam Basford, who was used as a call-up last season, took a penalty from the get-go, 3 minutes into the game. Everett's Markus McCrea was called for an Interference penalty almost 5 minutes into the contest, and Vancouver capitalized as his penalty wasn't even halfway done.

James Wright and Andrej Kudrna picked up assists on Neil Manning's first of the season, and Manning must've been beaming, after the injury-filled season he suffered last year. 1-0 after the PP marker.

Everett's Cam Abney and Vancouver's newest forward, Todd Kennedy got into a scram late in the first, with Kennedy picking up 17 minutes of penalty time (5 for fighting, 10-minute misconduct, 2 for instigating) and Abney being dealt the Fighting Major.

Brendan Gallagher and Andrej Kudrna, both Giants, were penalized early in the 2nd frame, but Everett couldn't score a goal on either powerplay, and unfortunately for the Tips, Vancouver's luck with a man advantage continued minutes later.

With Jeff Regier serving a Holding sentence, Evander Kane netted his first of the campaign, from Pierro-Zabotel and Craig Schira. After the goal, and while Vancouver was celebrating, Silvertips Assistant Captain Graham Potuer grabbed Kane, and was dealt a Cross-Checking minor.

Vancouver didn't, however, score with Potuer in the box.

Giants netminder Jamie Tucker was dealt his first penalty as a junior hockey player, 2 for delay of game, at 15:26.

Everett Captain Zack Dailey didn't set a good example for his club, taking an elbowing penalty in the dying minutes of the 2nd period. Of course, Vancouver scored their third Power-Play goal of the contest, this time, a beauty of a goal from Mike Piluso. Giants colour commentator Bill Wilms said the goal looked like it was from a 40-goal scorer. Craig Schira was handed his second assist of the game, and Neil Manning added another point to his game total.

A strange event happened with 8 minutes remaining in the 3rd, as Everett pulled Shayne Barrie. Maybe it was to send a message, to his club, from coach John Becanic, but I call it dumbfounding. Lance Bouma capitalized under a minute later, and Craig 'Cunner' Cunningham and the Bass, Adam Basford also picked up his first WHL point on the play, with the assist.

Markus McCrea was handed two minor penalties at the same time, a few minutes later, Slashing and High Sticking, but Vancouver didn't need an extra goal, as they took this one 4-0.

This game was actually quite boring to listen to, compared to other Giants/Everett games in the past. Oh wait, that's because Everett goon Kyle Beach is off getting beat-up at NHL Camp with Chicago. 'Beeotch' is rumoured to be traded, over the coming weeks.

For those who don't know, the Road Kill Sports Three Stars after every game have nothing to do with the building's three stars, it has to do with what we think. Usually, both versions of the Three Stars resemble each other. ;)

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. Jamie Tucker, Goalie, Vancouver: Tucker's WHL debut turned out to be a 30-save shutout, that included a pair of penalty minutes, and some beauty saves throughout the contest. Tucker is only 17 and figures to be a top prospect for Vancouver in the years to come.

2. Neil Manning, Defence, Vancouver: Manning scored the Giants first goal of the season, and also assisted Mike Piluso's tally in the 2nd period. Manning has already tied the number of goals he scored last year, and is 1/4 of the way to tying his career-high in points last season.

3. Mike Piluso, Center, Vancouver: While Craig Schira's two assists could've given him the 3rd star, Piluso's goal was an absolute beauty and had Bill Wilms howling in the press box. ;) Piluso is apparently on the chopping block, and if he performs as well as he did tonight, he may just be a Giant for the rest of the season.

News and Notes:

A new rule, I had never heard of, was mentioned to me today, and that is that all WHL 16-year-olds must play in 40 games. That means Simon Witt, Mitch Spooner and Brendan Gallagher all have 39 games to go, at least. JT Barnett still hasn't made his WHL debut.

Jamie Tucker was a beast between the pipes tonight. He made save after save, and definitely warrants the Giants backup netminder position.

Next G-Men game is Wednesday, at Kamloops. Expect Tucker to get the start, but then again Kraymer Barnstable could be in for his last game as a Vancouver Giant.