Byram's Latest OT Winner Gives the G-Men a Share of First Place
March 3, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release
Vancouver Giants centre Justin Sourdif vs. the Kamloops Blazers
(Vancouver Giants)
Vancouver, B.C. - With six games remaining in their 2018-19 regular season, the Vancouver Giants find themselves tied for first place in the Western Conference standings. Sunday afternoon at the LEC in front of 4240-strong, the Giants secured a 5-4 overtime victory over the Kamloops Blazers. For a fifth time this season, 2019 NHL Draft prospect Bowen Byram scored an overtime winning goal to go along with his two assists during regulation. Calgary Flames prospect Milos Roman chimed in with two goals and two assists, giving him nine points in his past three games. Brodi Stuart scored twice in response for Kamloops while Luke Zazula added three assists. The win helped the Giants improve to 7-0 on the season against Kamloops.
1st Period:
VAN - Milos Roman (26) extended his point streak to nine games when he converted off a three-way passing play with Bowen Byram and Justin Sourdif.
KAM - 54 seconds later the Blazers responded when rookie Jerzy Orchard snapped his first ever WHL goal past Giants starter David Tendeck. Jermaine Loewen and Luke Zazula assisted.
KAM - With one minute remaining in the first, Brodi Stuart notched his first of two on the night on a five-on-three power play. Stuart's 18th came off a Martin Lang rebound.
Shots: 12-8 Vancouver
2nd Period:
VAN - After being robbed by Blazers goaltender Dylan Garand on a breakaway in the first period, Tristen Nielsen (13) made good on his nexdt breakaway chance at 1:56. Jadon Joseph and Lukas Svejkovsky earned assists on Nielsen's fifth goal of the season against Kamloops.
Shots: 12-10 Vancouver
3rd Period:
VAN - Dylan Plouffe put the Giants back ahead at 3:28 of the final frame on a power play when he snuck into the right-wing circle and snuck a shot past Garand on the glove side. Justin Sourdif and Milos Roman assisted on Plouffe's sixth goal of the season.
KAM - Back came Kamloops at 7:42 when Brodi Stuart notched his second power play goal of the contest of a redirect in front of the Giants goal. Zane Franklin and Martin Lang assisted.
VAN - With just under three minutes to play (17:02), Milos Roman (27) gave the G-Men a 4-3 lead on their third power play chance of the game. Roman's goal was assisted by both Bowen Byram and Davis Koch.
KAM - 59 seconds later Kamloops tied the game when captain Jermaine Loewen one-timed a Connor Zary pass home for his 24th goal of the season. That meant that overtime would be needed for a third time in seven meetings between the two clubs.
Shots: 8-4 Kamloops
Overtime:
VAN - Just 29 seconds into overtime Bowen Byram delivered his league-leading fifth overtime winning goal when he raced wide on a Blazers defenceman down the left-wing side, skated into the left-wing circle and zapped his 24th goal of the season past Dylan Garand. Byram's 24th goal ties him with Kevin Connauton for the single-season record for goals scored by a Giants defenceman. Jared Dmytriw and Milos Roman assisted on the OT winner.
Shots: 1-0 Vancouver
--
Final Score: Vancouver 5 - Kamloops 4 (OT)
Final Shots: 31-26 Vancouver
David Tendeck: 22/26 saves for Vancouver (22-10-1-1)
Dylan Grand: 26/31 saves for Kamloops (6-7-1-1)
Vancouver: 2/3 on the Power Play
Kamloops: 2/4 on the Power Play
3 Stars:
1. Brodi Stuart (KAM - 2G)
2. Bowen Byram (VAN - 1G, 2A)
3. Milos Roman (VAN - 2G, 2A)
Next Giants Game: Another tilt with Kamloops on Wednesday night back in Kamloops at 7:00 PM.
NOTES:
- Milos Roman has registered three four-point games in his WHL career. Two have come this weekend. Roman had a goal and three assists on Friday against Kelowna followed by two goals and two assists Sunday against Kamloops.
- Bowen Byram's fifth overtime winning goal leads the WHL and it also matches the most OT goals ever scored in a WHL season. Eric Fehr (Brandon Wheat Kings) had five OT winners back in 2004-05.
- Altogether the Giants are 7-2 in overtime this season which ties them with Brandon and Spokane for the league lead in overtime victories.
- With 70 points on the season, Giants overage forward Davis Koch has matched his previous season high for points in a single season. In 2016-17 Koch posted 70 points in 72 games. He's earned 70 points in 62 games this season. 26 of his 70 points have been goals.
Images from this story
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2019
- Winterhawks Compete Hard in One Goal Game - Portland Winterhawks
- Byram's Latest OT Winner Gives the G-Men a Share of First Place - Vancouver Giants
- Focht Leads Hitmen to 6-2 Win over ICE - Calgary Hitmen
- Rebels' Offensive Struggles Continue in 1-0 Loss to Blades - Red Deer Rebels
- Maier Shuts the Door Again, Blades Shutout Rebels - Saskatoon Blades
- Winterhawks Game Day Preview: Portland at Kelowna - Game #63 - Portland Winterhawks
- Preview: Blades and Rebels Meet in Sunday Matinee - Saskatoon Blades
- ICE Travel to Calgary for Afternoon Match-Up against Hitmen - Kootenay Ice
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, March 3 vs. Kootenay - Calgary Hitmen
- Royals Take Rematch - Prince George Cougars
- Hitmen Take Saturday Night Battle against ICE - Kootenay Ice
- Kindopp Breaks Wall in OT for Silvertips' Win - Everett Silvertips
- Lamb Dishes 47 Saves, Broncos Earn Point in Overtime Loss - Swift Current Broncos
- G-Men Improve to 6-0 against the Blazers After Saturday's 5-4 Win - Vancouver Giants
- Kyle Olson Ties Game with One Second Remaining, Ams Fall to Chiefs in Overtime - Tri-City Americans
- Royals Clinch Playoff Berth against Cougars - Victoria Royals
- Tigers Make a Late Comeback to Win 3-2 - Medicine Hat Tigers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
