September 20th: Giants at Everett; Season Opener preview

The 0-0-1 Everett Silvertips will host the Giants tonight, in what will be Vancouver's first game of the 2008-2009 WHL season. Last night on the road in Kamloops, the 'Tips fell 4-3 after overtime, to the Blazers.

Paul Van de Velde, Matt Ius and Shane Harper had the markers for Everett, while Vancouver's BC Division rival Kamloops, had CJ Stretch, Shayne Wiebe, Captain Scott Wasden and ex-Giant Kenton Dulle scoring goals.

Everett's goalie, Shayne Barrie, saved 25 of 29 shots last night. Vancouver will be missing only three players in their lineup tonight, two of which play defence, while one is the starting goaltender.

D-men Jon Blum and Brent Regner remain at NHL camps, while Tyson Sexsmith is still with the San Jose Sharks. Blum is expected back in 7-8 days, while Regner has no timetable for his return. He may be in Vancouver for the Home Opener next Friday. Sexsmith is expected to fly back to play with the Giants, for Wednesday night's game in Kamloops.

Vancouver have 15 forwards listed on their roster, and 9 defenceman, including Blum and Regner. Curtis Kulchar, a recently acquired d-man is out 4-6 weeks with an injury, and fellow blueliner Bronson Maschmeyer is questionable for tonight's game. If Maschmeyer is out of the lineup, a forward may have to fill in.

Mike Berube, Craig Schira, Simon Witt, Neil Manning and Mitch Spooner are all guaranteed to be playing tonight.

It looks as though, the three forwards not in the lineup tonight may be Brendan Gallagher, JT Barnett and maybe a guy like Mike Piluso.

Jamie Tucker is expected to get the nod in net.

PLAYER TO WATCH (Vancouver): Casey Pierro-Zabotel is looking to fight for a job as one of three Overagers, and although he looks like a shoe-in after being returned from the Pittsburgh Penguins, CPZ will want to explode this year, to make Pittsburgh want to sign him next year, so he can keep playing hockey.

Keys to a win:

Don't let Everett 'Tuck' the puck into the net: Jamie Tucker is making his WHL debut tonight, and a win will all but put his name on the Giants backup position this year.

Man the point: Neil Manning, who had an injury-filled season last year as a WHL rookie, will be looking to secure his spot as a Top 4 Blueliner with Vancouver.

James squared: James Wright is coming off of a Rookie Camp with Tampa Bay, after a so-so season with the G-Men in '07-'08. The other James, James Henry, had a good rookie year with Vancouver, and will look to bank on it, starting tonight.