WHL Vancouver Giants

Giants Chop Hawks, 5-2

November 17, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release


Vancouver BC - The Vancouver Giants overcame a stubborn Portland Winterhawks team and skated away with a 5-2 victory on Sunday night. Brent Regner, Jonathon Blum, Garry Nunn, James Henry and Evander Kane scored goals for the Giants in the victory while Killian Hutt and Radim Valchar scored in a losing cause for the WinterHawks.

Hutt opened the scoring for Portland mid-way through period one, converting a pretty feed from Cole Reddin and firing a shot that beat Giants goalie Jamie Tucker high, glove side. Brent Regner was able to tie things up before the end of the period, going coast to coast before beating Hawks keeper Keith Hamilton with a snap shot, blocker side. Regner tied it up 1-1 after one.

In the second period, both teams were locked in a tight checking battle. Midway through this well played period, the Giants were able to get the go ahead goal. Jonathon Blum launched a rocket through traffic from the right point. A power play goal and the Giants had the lead, 2-1 heading to the third period.

Vancouver was able to take advantage of a tired Portland team early in the third period. Garry Nunn was able to use his speed to create an opportunity. Nunn sped around the Portland defence, in behind the goal and beat Keith Hamilton on a wrap around to the far post. For Nunn, it was his second goal in as many games, and it gave the Giants some insurance at 3-1. Moments later, on a WinterHawks power play, James Henry was able to block a pass and sprang himself on a partial breakaway. With the Portland defence bearing down, Henry was able to fire the perfect shot, high glove side on Hamilton and the Giants were on their way at 4-1. Radim Valchar was able to cut the lead to two late in the period, but then Evander Kane was able to close things out...Kane took a lead pass at centre ice and with Travis Ehrhardt doing everything he could to stop him, Kane was able to win the battle and slide the puck into the empty net for a 5-2 win. Kane's goal extended his WHL leading point streak to 21 games.

Jamie Tucker stays undefeated in regulation, stopping 18 of 20 shots in the victory, while Keith Hamilton surrendered four goals before the empty netter and takes the loss for Portland.

Vancouver finishes the week off with a 3-1 record and continues on a torrid pace. The Giants are now 17-1-0-3 on the season and have opened up an eleven point lead on second place Kelowna in the BC Division and a six point lead on second place Spokane in the Western Conference. Vancouver still has two games in hand on the Rockets and one game in hand on the Chiefs.

Next up, a date against the only team to put a loss on the Giants record all season, the Chilliwack Bruins. Game time at the Coliseum will be at 7 p.m., with the pre game show on AM 650 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dave Sheldon and guest analyst Jay Janower from GLOBAL TV will have the call of all the action.

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 17, 2008


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