Giants Weekly Recap
February 20, 2006 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release
For the first time in franchise history, the Vancouver Giants are in first place in the Western Hockey League after extending their winning streak to seven straight games this past week.
Last Wednesday the Giants tied a franchise record for goals scored on the road with a huge 8-3 win against the Spokane Chiefs. Spencer Machacek had three goals and an assist in the win and became the first Giants player this year to record a hat-trick. Gilbert Brule and Mitch Bartley each chipped in with a pair of goals as well.
On Friday, netminder Dustin Slade collected his ninth shut-out of the season in a Giants 5-0 win in Seattle against the Thunderbirds. Brule had two goals and and assist on a night that saw Vancouver out-shoot the T-Birds 45-25. It was also the first time in franchise history the Giants hit the 40-win mark during a regular season.
Saturday night, a season-high crowd of 10,280 fans saw the Giants wrap up their season series against the T-Birds with a convincing 4-1 win at the Pacific Coliseum. In seven meetings with Seattle, the Giants went 6-0-0-1. Defencemen Cody Franson and Paul Albers each had a power play goal and power play assist in the win. The Giants defensive pairing have combined for 102 points so far this year, including 21 power play goals and 47 power play assists.
In three games this past week, Gilbert Brule had five goals, five assists, and was first star in each game.
Vancouver has now moved into a tie with the Calgary Hitmen for top spot in the WHL. Sporting a record of 41-14-0-6, the Giants have 88 points and have now officially secured a place in the 2006 WHL playoffs. They are eight points ahead of the Kootenay Ice and 14 points up on the Kelowna Rockets.
The Giants who are one victory away from tying a franchise record for eight-straight wins will play another three games this week. Tuesday February 21, Vancouver entertains the Tri-City Americans (7:00pm). The Giants will then play a pair of road games Friday February 24 and Saturday February 25 against the Prince George Cougars. Both games start at 7:30pm.
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Western Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2006
- Spokane Chiefs weekly release - Spokane Chiefs
- Blazers playoff tickets - Kamloops Blazers
- Bowles Becomes Franchise Leader - Prince George Cougars
- Blazers week in review - Kamloops Blazers
- Regina Pats Weekly Update - Regina Pats
- Brule named Greyhound WHL Player of the Week - WHL
- Wheaties announce Janz scholarship plans - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Giants Weekly Recap - Vancouver Giants
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