Giants And Hitmen Set To Battle
Published on January 16, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release
CALGARY - AB: The Vancouver Giants (36-3-0-3) take on the Calgary Hitmen (38-6-2-1) in a battle of the top two teams in the WHL at the Pengrowth Saddledome. The Giants are currently the #1 in the Western Conference while the Hitmen are #1 in the East!
The Giants are currently on a four game road win streak through the Central Division. Wins over Kootenay (4-1), Lethbridge (5-4 OT), Medicine Hat (6-2) and Edmonton (2-0), have the Giants primed and ready for what will be their largest test on the road so far this season. The Giants are 9-1 in their past 10 games and are 16-2-0-1 on the road.
The Calgary Hitmen are 8-1-1-0 in their past ten games. The two blemishes in their past ten games have both come against the Kootenay Ice within the past five days. Calgary is a WHL best 23-1 on home ice this season.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
GIANTS HITMEN
Goals scored 198 (42 games) 198 (47 games)
Goals against 82 (42 games) 98 (47 games)
Power play 2nd (27.7 %) 1st (30.6%)
Penalty Kill 3rd (85.6%) 1st (88.8%)
Top Scorer Pierro-Zabotel (72) Kozun (68)
Top D scorer Blum (48) Postma (45)
Top Goalie Sexsmith (2.00) Jones (1.98)
Leading after 1 25-0-0-2 22-1-1-0
Leading after 2 31-0-0-1 31-1-0-0
GIANT PACE: The Giants are currently 33 games over .500 and are on their best pace in franchise history. Vancouver's best record in franchise history was last season, when they posted 49 wins and 106 points. After 42 games last season, the Giants were 28-10-1-3 for 58 points. That puts the Giants 15 points ahead of their record pace from last season.
CASEY CAN: The Giants success this year can be spread out though the entire line-up. Casey Pierro-Zabotel leads the Giants and the WHL in points with 72 points (22 goals and 50 assists). Evander Kane, who recently helped Canada win their fifth consecutive Gold Medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships, left the team as the WHL's third leading scorer. Kane is now 8th in league scoring, but his 26 goals and 28 assists for 54 points have raised his draft profile, as NHL Central Scouting has Kane listed in the TOP 3 North American skaters in this June's upcoming NHL Draft to be held in Montreal, PQ.
GIANT YEAR FOR CAPTAIN: When Giants Captain Jonathon Blum left the team to join TEAM USA, he was first in the WHL in defensive scoring with 44 points, 14 goals and 30 assists, through 28 games played. Upon his return, Blum remains first in defensive scoring (15 G - 33 A) and is +41 is now third, four back of defensive partner Brent Regner, who is at +45, and six back of teammate Pierro-Zabotel at +47. The league leader for plus/minus last year finished at +40, for the season.
PUCK STATS: Tyson Sexsmith and Jamie Tucker present the best 1-2 punch in goal in the WHL. Sexsmith is the CHL's all time shutout leader with 22 shutouts in his tenure as Giants keeper. His 25 wins on the season is second in the WHL, while his 2.00 goals against average is 3rd best. Sexsmith just posted his 100th career WHL victory during the Giants last home stand over the Christmas Holidays. Tucker's numbers are also very impressive. His 1.55 goals against average has been good enough to be best in the WHL, but he has been on and off the leader board due to not playing the minimum amount of minutes. Tucker's .932 save percentage would also be second best. Tucker is the only goalie who has played 10 or more games and has yet to suffer a regulation loss (11-0-0-1).
DEADLINE DUO: D Nick Ross (89) and F Alex Rodgers (89) were acquired from the Kamloops Blazers on Thursday in return for D Curtis Kulchar (90) and a 3rd and 4th Bantam pick in '09, as well as a 2nd round pick in '10. Both players made their debuts in Vancouver's 4-1 victory on Friday night, with Ross picking up the opening goal of the game.
The Giants will are set to take on the CHL's #1 ranked team, the Calgary Hitmen, at the Pengrowth Saddledome. You can catch all the action from Cowtown, on WHITE SPOT GIANTS HOCKEY, which can be heard on AM 650. Dave Sheldon will have the call of all the action, beginning with the SAVE ON FOODS PRE GAME SHOW at 5:30 pm, and the puck drop between these two great teams at 6 pm.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2009
- Blazers Win Streak Snapped at Three - Kamloops Blazers
- Blades Shutout Tigers 5-0 - Saskatoon Blades
- AAA All Star Teams Announced - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Road Stretch Begins on FSN Northwest - Spokane Chiefs
- Warriors Set to Assist Alzheimer Society - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Broncos Announce Captains for Remainder of Year - Swift Current Broncos
- Giants And Hitmen Set To Battle - Vancouver Giants
- 19 WHL Graduates set to lead Canada at 2009 Winter Universiade - WHL
- Raiders Mourn Art Hauser - Prince Albert Raiders
- Raiders Weekend Preview - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Giants Win Fourth Straight, Shutout Kings - Vancouver Giants
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.
