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WHL Vancouver Giants

Giants Hold off Chiefs to Earn Sixth Straight Win

February 16, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release


Bowen Byram of the Vancovuer Giants takes a shot against the Spokane Chiefs
Bowen Byram of the Vancovuer Giants takes a shot against the Spokane Chiefs
(Vancouver Giants, Credit: Rik Fedyck)

Vancouver, B.C. - Friday night at the LEC in front of 4044 strong the Vancouver Giants (38-13-2-1) extended their winning streak to six games thanks to a 5-4 triumph over the visiting Spokane Chiefs (30-18-2-4). Milos Roman, Davis Koch, Jadon Joseph and Jared Dmytriw all recorded two points apiece for the G-Men who finished the game three-for-four on the power play and six-for-seven on the penalty kill against the league's top power play team. Luc Smith had two goals in response for Spokane who had a four-game winning streak snapped with Friday's loss. The Giants improved to 3-0 on the season against Spokane. The win assured the Giants that at the very least they would hold home ice advantage in Round 1 of the playoffs.

1st Period:

SPO - Just 3:13 into the game, the league's bset power play went to work. Luc Smith (24) buried his first of two on the night off a shot from the slot that snuck past Giants starter Trent Miner, lifting the Chiefs to the early 1-0 lead.

VAN - 15 seconds later the Giants responded when defenceman Kaleb Bulych (2) joined the rush, took a feed from Jared Dmytriw and wired it past Chiefs netminder Reece Klassen to tie the score.

VAN - Justin Sourdif (16) put the Giants ahead at 13:28 with their first of three power play goals on the night. Davis Koch and Dylan Plouffe earned helpers on the Sourdif marker.

Shots: 10-8 Vancouver

2nd Period:

VAN - Late in the second period the Giants extended their lead to 3-1 thanks to a lengthy five-on-three power play chance. Milos Roman parked himself at the right side of the Chiefs goal and one-timed a perfect feed from Davis Koch past a sprawling Klassen to make it a 3-1 lead. For Roman it was his 21st of the season and his team-leading 13th power play goal.

VAN - 30 seconds later Jared Dmytriw got in on the act, blasting home his 13th of the season from atop the left-wing circle. Jadon Joseph had the lone assist on Dmytriw's power play tally giving the Giants a 4-1 lead through 40 minutes.

Shots: 10 - 5 Vancouver

3rd Period:

SPO - 3:47 into the final frame, Luc Smith (25) struck again. This time it came off the rush as his shot deflected off a Giants stick and through Trent Miner.

SPO - Spokane made it 4-3 at 11:51 when Eli Zummack (13) skated in close along the left-wing and converted his 13th goal of the season.

VAN - Shortly after the Chiefs had a potential game-tying goal called back because of a 'kicked in puck' Jadon Joseph picked the perfect time to secure his first home goal as a Giant. At 15:46, Joseph skated into the slot, took a Bowen Byram pass and wired home his 16th goal of the season, providing the Giants with their eventual game-winning goal.

SPO - With their net empty the Chiefs clawed back to make it 5-4 when Riley Woods tipped home a feed from Eli Zummack at 18:50 from in front of the Giants net.

Shots: 11-11

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Final Score: Vancouver 5 - Spokane 4

Final Shots: 31-24 Vancouver

Trent Miner: 20/24 saves for Vancouver (20-4-1-0)

Reece Klassen: 26 saves for Spokane (14-6-4-5)

Vancouver:3/4 on the Power Play

Spokane: 1/7 on the Power Play

3 Stars:

1. Milos Roman (VAN - 1G, 1A)

2. Luc Smith (SPO - 2G)

3. Davis Koch (VAN - 2A)

Next Giants Game: Tomorrow night in Kelowna. A 7:05 puck drop.

NOTES:

- Friday's win improved the Giants record to 9-6-1-0 against teams from the US Division. It also marked their 22nd home victory - Most of any team in the WHL.

- Both of Kaleb Bulych's goals this season have come against the Spokane Chiefs.

- With the win the Giants now sit at 79 points thus clinching a top two spot in the B.C. Division standings, ensuring home ice advantage in Round 1 of the playoffs.

- So far in the season series between the Giants and Chiefs, Spokane has received 14 power play chances while the Giants have received just six.

- Jared Dmytriw now leads all Giants with three goals and two assists for five points in three games against the Chiefs.

Check out the Vancouver Giants Statistics




Images from this story

Vancouver Giants goaltender Trent Miner smothers a Spokane Chiefs' shot attempt
Vancouver Giants goaltender Trent Miner smothers a Spokane Chiefs' shot attempt
(Rik Fedyck)		 Vancouver Giants celebrate a goal in their Don Cherry jerseys
Vancouver Giants celebrate a goal in their Don Cherry jerseys
(Rik Fedyck)		 Don Cherry tribute at the Vancouver Giants game
Don Cherry tribute at the Vancouver Giants game
(Rik Fedyck)
Bowen Byram of the Vancovuer Giants takes a shot against the Spokane Chiefs
Bowen Byram of the Vancovuer Giants takes a shot against the Spokane Chiefs
(Rik Fedyck)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2019


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