WHL Vancouver Giants

Giants Edge Rebels in OT

Published on January 3, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release


Vancouver, B.C. - The Vancouver Giants decided to use a little overtime for their first game in 2009. Mikhail Fisenko scored the game winner with just under one minute to go in the extra frame as the Vancouver Giants outlasted the Red Deer Rebels 2-1 at the Pacific Coliseum.

After a scoreless first forty minutes, the Giants were able to draw first blood on the power play, just their second of the game. Craig Schira was able to fire a shot through traffic from the point at 8:35 to open the scoring for Vancouver. Schira was able to work his way to the top of the slot after a nice pass from Brent Regner and his smart wrist shot found a way through the screened Rebels net minder Darcy Kuemper.

Red Deer would fight back however, and pulled their goalie with over two minutes to play. In the ensuing bedlam in the Giants end, Burnaby resident Landon Ferraro was able to spot Maple Ridge's Connor Redmond across the crease with a perfect feed. Redmond tipped home the pass at 18:17 of the third to tie the game at one and send us to overtime.

In OT, both teams traded quality chances. Late in the extra frame, Giants d-man Mike Berube was able to break up a long pass at his own blueline. Berube immediately turned up ice to find a lonely Mikhail Fisenko down the left wing side boards. Fisenko accepted the pass, and using Casey Pierro-Zabotel as a decoy, snapped a wrist shot under the crossbar, top shelf past Kuemper for the OT winner. Fisenko's 8th of the season at 4:21 of overtime proved to be the difference on the evening.

Vancouver wins their first overtime game of the season and improves their record to 32-2-0-3. Tyson Sexsmith was solid between the pipes for the G-Men and picks up his 21st win of the season. Darcy Kuemper was also good in goal for the Rebs, but picks up the OT loss and falls to 11-11-1-3.

Next up, the Giants play their last home game until late January as the Kamloops Blazers pay a visit to the Rink on Renfrew. You can catch all of the action on AM 650 and also in the Coliseum on 88.7 FM. Brook Ward will host the SAVE ON FOODS pre-game show at 6:30 pm, while Dave Sheldon and Brook will call the action at 7:00 p.m.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2009


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