Giants Kick off Weekend with 4-0 Shutout Victory over Victoria
February 26, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release
Vancouver Giants left goaltender Jesper Vikman vs. the Victoria Royals
(Vancouver Giants, Credit: Rob Wilton)
Vancouver, B.C. - Friday night at the Langley Events Centre in front of 3410 strong, the Vancouver Giants (20-25-2-0) earned a 4-0 shutout victory over the visiting Victoria Royals (14-31-4-1). Zack Ostapchuk struck twice for Vancouver, while Fabian Lysell added a goal and an assist. Between the pipes, Jesper Vikman made 17 saves to secure his third shutout of the season - Two of which have come against Victoria. Campbell Arnold responded with 29 saves in the Victoria net as the Giants secured their first home ice victory against Victoria in 2021-2022.
BOX SCORE
1st Period:
No Scoring
Shots: 13-8 Vancouver
2nd Period:
VAN - Zack Ostapchuk potted his first of two goals on the night off a shorthanded rush at 1:53. Colton Langkow left the penalty box, won a race to a loose puck along the right wing, and centered a feed to Ostapchuk who did the rest, converting on 13th of the season.
VAN - Then at 8:59, Ostapchuk struck again. This time it was off a power play when Fabian Lysell's rebound snuck behind Campbell Arnold and was resting on the goal line. Ostapchuk swatted the puck home for his 14th of the season, staking the Giants to a 2-0 lead. Alex Cotton had the second power play assist.
Shots: 11-4 Vancouver
3rd Period:
VAN - The Giants lead got extended to 3-0 when Cole Shepard snuck a shot through Campbell Arnold from right around the goal line, from the left-wing. Shepard's fifth of the season was set up by Evan Toth.
VAN - Fabian Lysell recorded the Highlight of the Night in the WHL at 14:37 when he deked out two different Royal defenders and wired his team-leading 18th goal of the season over the left shoulder of Campbell Arnold to give the Giants their final goal of the night. Connor Horning and Nicco Camazzola both earned assists.
Shots: 9-5 Vancouver
GAME SUMMARY
Final Score: Vancouver 4 - Victoria 0
Final Shots: 33-17 Vancouver
Jesper Vikman: 17/17 saves for Vancouver
Campbell Arnold: 29/33 saves for Victoria
Vancouver PP: 1/2
Victoria PP: 0/5
3 Stars:
1) Zack Ostapchuk (VAN - 2G)
2) Fabian Lysell (VAN - 1G, 1A)
3) Jesper Vikman (VAN - 17 Saves)
Next Game: A rematch with the Victoria Royals tomorrow at 7:05 PM on the Island.
NOTES
- Zack Ostapchuk recorded his second shorthanded goal of the season, and his team-leading fourth game-winning goal of the season on Friday.
- Fabian Lysell leads all Giants with five goals and five assists for 10 points against Victoria, following his two-point effort on Friday.
- Two of Jesper Vikman's three shutouts this season have come against Victoria.
- In all three of the Giants wins against Victoria, they've held the Royals to under 20 shots on goal.
- With a win on Friday, coupled with a Prince George loss to Portland, the Vancouver Giants now sit sixth in the Western Conference standings, one point up on the Prince George Cougars.
Images from this story
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