Giants Defeat Thunderbirds 3-2

Published on January 22, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release

The Vancouver Giants defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 Sunday at the Pacific Coliseum, earning 5 of a possible 6 points over a weekend in which they played 3 games in 3 nights. Vancouver finished 2-2-0-0 in the 4 game season series vs. Seattle.

The Giants dominated the opening 20 minutes from start to finish, not even allowing a shot on net. Vancouver outshot the Thunderbirds 15-0 and scored one goal. Austin Vetterl scored his 6th goal of the season. Marek Tvrdon picked up an assist to extend his point streak to 8 games.

Vancouver added to their lead in the second period as Wes Vannieuwenhuizen beat Calvin Pickard for his 3rd goal of the season to put the home side up 2-0. Payton Lee, making his 2nd career start, stopped 9 shots in the frame to keep the Giants in control through 40 minutes.

The Thunderbirds came out of the gates gunning in the third period and they would be rewarded as Chance Lund cut the lead to 2-1. Just past the midway point of the frame the Giants restored their two goal advantage on the power play; Marek Tvrdon banged home a rebound to give the Giants a 3-1 lead. Seattle would add a late power play goal to make it a 3-2 game, but that is as close as they would come. Payton Lee made 24 saves for his 2nd career WHL victory in the 3-2 win. Tvrdon now has 4 goals, 9 assists in 8 game point scoring streak.

The Giants now jump on the bus for a 3 game road trip through Alberta with games in Red Deer, Calgary, and Edmonton. It all gets started Wednesday January 25 in Red Deer vs. the Rebels. Game time is 6:00 pm PST. The pregame show starts at 5:30 pm PST.

Western Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2012

• Winterhawks Fall 6-1 in Spokane Sunday - Portland Winterhawks
• Giants Defeat Thunderbirds 3-2 - Vancouver Giants
• Driedger, Hitmen Stop Rebels 4-2 - Calgary Hitmen
• Team White Wins Prairie Mobile Pats Skills Competition - Regina Pats
• Blazers Burn Tri-City 4-3 in Wild West Shootout - Tri-City Americans
• Bauml's Hat Trick Caps OT Comeback Win - Everett Silvertips
• Mammoth Edge Roughnecks 13-12 - Calgary Hitmen
• Chiefs Beat Portland 5-2 - Spokane Chiefs
• Tips Sneak Past T-Birds in Overtime - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Kelowna Rockets Rally to Beat Vancouver Giants 4-3 in a Shootout - Vancouver Giants
• Kelowna defeats Vancouver in SO - Kelowna Rockets
• Winterhawks Fall 5-2 in Spokane Saturday - Portland Winterhawks

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.

Other Recent Vancouver Giants Stories

• Giants Hire Mason Chong as Next Equipment Manager
• Giants Sign 3rd Overall Pick Eli Vickers to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement
• Giants Select 3 Forwards, 3 Defencemen & 1 Goaltender
• Giants Select Vickers & Jugnauth in First Round of WHL Prospects Draft
• Giants' Lin Named Top-3 Player; Canada Knocked out in QF by Sweden