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WHL Vancouver Giants

Giants Drop a 3-2 Nail-Biter at Home Friday to Kamloops

February 5, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release


Vancouver Giants goaltender Jesper Vikman vs. the Kamloops Blazers
Vancouver Giants goaltender Jesper Vikman vs. the Kamloops Blazers
(Vancouver Giants, Credit: Rob Wilton)

Vancouver, B.C. - Friday night at the Langley Events Centre the Vancouver Giants (16-22-2-0) fell just short in a 3-2 decision favouring the visiting Kamloops Blazers (29-11-1-0). Fraser Minten's goal at 13:05 of the third period stood as the game-winner as the Blazers captured their seventh straight win. The Giants goals came from newcomer Jacob Boucher and Zack Ostapchuk. Jesper Vikman made 28 saves in the Giants net while Dylan Garand countered with 23 saves for Kamloops.

1st Period:

VAN - 9:05 into the opening period, newcomer Jacob Boucher wasted no time endearing himself to his Vancouver teammates. The veteran forward took a feed from Payton Mount off a two-on-one and snapped his 11th of the season through Dylan Garand for a 1-0 Vancouver lead.

KAM - The Blazers answered at 15:23 when Matthew Seminoff's centering feed deflected off a Giants defenceman and through Jesper Vikman's legs. Seminoff's 17th of the season was set up by Fraser Minten.

KAM - One minute and 35 seconds later, Logan Stankoven fired his 24th of the season past Jesper Vikman off a two-on-one rush with Luke Toporowski. Toporowski earned the lone assist on the go-ahead goal for Kamloops.

Shots: 13-10 Kamloops

2nd Period:

VAN - While shorthanded the Vancouver Giants tied the score when Zack Ostapchuk raced down the right wing, cut to the slot and snuck a low shot through a Connor Horning screen and past Dylan Garand. Cole Shepard drew the second assist on Ostaphuk's 10th goal of the season.

Shots: 13-6 Kamloops

3rd Period:

KAM - At 13:05 of the final period, 2022 Draft prospect Fraser Minten secured the game's final goal off a Matthew Seminoff feed from behind the net. Minten's 12th stood as the game-winner.

Shots: 9-5 Vancouver

GAME SUMMARY

Final Score: Kamloops 3 - Vancouver 2

Final Shots: 31 - 25 Kamloops

Jesper Vikman: 28/31 saves for Vancouver (13-11-2-0)

Dylan Garand: 23/25 saves for Kamloops (23-6-0-0)

Vancouver Power Play: 0/3

Kamloops Power Play: 0/3

3 Stars:

1) Matthew Seminoff (KAM - 2A)

2) Jesper Vikman (VAN - 28 Saves)

3) Zack Ostapchuk (VAN - 1SHG)

Next Giants Game: A trip to Seattle tomorrow for a tilt with the Thunderbirds at 6:05 PM.

NOTES

- Jacob Boucher made his Vancouver Giants debut on Friday and recorded the first goal of the game. Boucher, who played in his 50th career WHL game on Friday now has 11 goals on the season.

- Zack Ostapchuk's second period shorthanded marker was the third shorthanded goal of the season recorded by the Vancouver Giants.

- The Giants still sit five points back of Prince George for sixth place in the Western Conference playoff standings.

Check out the Vancouver Giants Statistics




Images from this story

Vancouver Giants react after a goal against the Kamloops Blazers
Vancouver Giants react after a goal against the Kamloops Blazers
(Rob Wilton)		 Vancouver Giants left wing Adam Hall gets tripped up by the Kamloops Blazers
Vancouver Giants left wing Adam Hall gets tripped up by the Kamloops Blazers
(Rob Wilton)		 Vancouver Giants right wing Fabian Lysell vs. the Kamloops Blazers
Vancouver Giants right wing Fabian Lysell vs. the Kamloops Blazers
(Rob Wilton)
Vancouver Giants goaltender Jesper Vikman vs. the Kamloops Blazers
Vancouver Giants goaltender Jesper Vikman vs. the Kamloops Blazers
(Rob Wilton)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2022


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