Blazers Clinch 2020-21 B.C. Division with a 3-1 Win over Giants
Published on May 9, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release
Vancouver Giants defenceman Connor Horning vs. the Kamloops Blazers
(Vancouver Giants, Credit: Allen Douglas)
Kamloops, B.C. - Saturday night in Kamloops, the Vancouver Giants (11-10) dropped a 3-1 decision to the Kamloops Blazers (16-4). Fraser Minten and Dylan Sydor scored 34 seconds apart in the first period to stake Kamloops to a lead, and Caedan Bankier added a goal early in the third. Justin Sourdif responded with the lone goal of the night for the G-Men mid-way through the third period. Dylan Garand made 20 saves on 21 shots faced for Kamloops while Trent Miner made 30 saves in the Vancouver goal. With the victory, the Kamloops Blazers clinched the 2020-21 B.C. Division banner.
1st Period:
KAM - 12:16 into the period, rookie forward Fraser Minten made it 1-0 off a two-on-one rush. Minten snuck past the Giants defense-corps, took a feed from Daylon Kuefler and tucked a backhand goal by Trent Miner from in close.
KAM - 34 seconds later, fellow rookie Dylan Sydor batted home a Quinn Schmiemann rebound for his first career WHL goal at the side of the Giants goal. Reese Belton also added an assist.
Shots: 13-8 Kamloops
2nd Period:
No Scoring
Shots: 13-3 Kamloops
3rd Period:
KAM - Caedan Bankier extended the Kamloops lead to 3-0 at 2:43 of the final frame. The draft eligible forward forced a turnover behind the Giants goal, and then banked his own rebound off the skate of Trent Miner and in for his 10th of the season.
VAN - The Giants lone goal of the game came at 11:39, and it came courtesy of Justin Sourdif who snuck to the front of the Kamloops net, took a chipped pass from Zack Ostapchuk and roofed a backhand shot over Dylan Garand's right shoulder. Tanner Brown also earned an assist on Sourdif's 10th of the season.
Shots: 10-7 Vancouver
GAME SUMMARY:
Final Score: Kamloops 3 - Vancouver 1
Final Shots: 33-21 Kamloops
Trent Miner: 30/33 saves for Vancouver
Dylan Garand: 20/21 saves for Kamloops
Kamloops Power Play: 0/2
Vancouver Power Play: 0/3
3 Stars:
1) Dylan Garand (KAM - 20 Saves)
2) Trent Miner (VAN - 30 Saves)
3) Montana Onyebuchi (KAM - +1, 3 Shots)
Next Giants Game: A Tuesday evening showdown with the Victoria Royals.
NOTES:
- The Vancouver Giants finish the season with a 2-4 record against Kamloops this season.
- Justin Sourdif's goal now gives him 31 points on the season, and moves him into a tie for sixth in WHL scoring.
- Zack Ostapchuk and Tanner Brown each earned assists, and have both earned points in back-to-back games.
- Trent Miner finished the season with a 2-3 record against Kamloops with a .951 save percentage and a 1.42 goals-against average.
- The Kamloops Blazers clinch the best record in the B.C. Division for a second straight season. With their 16th victory of the season, no team will be able to catch them for the best winning percentage or points percentage.
Images from this story
Western Hockey League Stories from May 9, 2021
- Beaupit's Big Night Not Enough as Chiefs Fall 3-0 to Seattle in Season Finale - Spokane Chiefs
- Winterhawks Record Season-High Nine Goals to Conclude Road Schedule - Portland Winterhawks
- Garrett Pilon Becomes the 20th Silvertip to Play in the National Hockey League - Everett Silvertips
- Americans Take on Winterhawks in Final Home Game of the Season - Tri-City Americans
- Game Day Hub: May 9 - Portland Winterhawks
- Silvertips Put Bow on Campaign with 4-1 Victory - Everett Silvertips
- Blazers Clinch 2020-21 B.C. Division with a 3-1 Win over Giants - Vancouver Giants
- Scoring Dries up in Loss to Victoria - Prince George Cougars
- Royals Take Down Cougars - Victoria Royals
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