Giants Return to Win Column After a 3-1 Triumph over PG
December 19, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release
Vancouver Giants centre Ty Thorpe (right) faces off with the Prince George Cougars
(Vancouver Giants, Credit: Rob Wilton)
Vancouver, B.C. - Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre, the Vancouver Giants (14-12-1-0) returned to the win column after a 3-1 decision over the visiting Prince George Cougars (12-15-0-0). Zack Ostapchuk, Evan Toth and Ty Thorpe each scored for the Giants while goaltender Will Gurski made 34 saves in the victory. The lone Cougars goal came from Jaren Brinson in the first period while goaltender Ty Young made 27 saves in the Cougar goal.
1st Period:
PG - At 7:33 of the first, Jaren Brinson's shot from the left-wing point found its way past Will Gurski to stake the Cougars to a 1-0 lead. The lone assist came from Liekit Reichle. For Brinson it marked his first goal of the season.
VAN - Late in the period, Zack Ostapchuk evened the score for Vancouver at 18:06. The Ottawa Senators prospect screened the Cougar goal, and tucked home a Tanner Brown rebound on his backhand for his seventh. Payton Mount had the second assist.
Shots: 12-8 Vancouver
2nd Period:
VAN - The eventual game-winning goal came at 8:32 off the stick of defenceman Evan Toth. Justin Lies started the play with a shot from the high slot. Ty Halaburda provided the initial deflection, and a pinching Toth was able to backhand the puck over a sprawled Ty Young for his first of the season.
VAN - At 11:19 Ty Thorpe extended the Giants lead on an unassisted effort. Thorpe's ninth came as a result of a failed Cougars clear. Thorpe took the puck, snuck into the slot and made no mistake.
Shots: 15-8 Prince George
3rd Period:
No Scoring
Shots: 12-10 Prince George
GAME SUMMARY
Final Score: Vancouver 3 - Prince George 1
Final Shots: 35 - 30 Prince George
Will Gurski: 34/35 saves for Vancouver
Ty Young: 27/30 saves for Prince George
Vancouver Power Play: 0/2
Prince George Power Play: 0/3
3 Stars:
Justin Lies (VAN - 1 Assist)
Will Gurski (VAN - 34 Saves)
Ty Thorpe (VAN - 1 Goal)
Next Game: Tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 PM against the visiting Tri-City Americans.
NOTES
Evan Toth's goal tonight marked his first in a span of 75 games.
Will Gurski's record against Prince George is now 2-2 with a .917 save percentage and a 2.34 goals-against average.
The Giants improved their home ice record to 7-5, and are 3-0 at home against Prince George.
The Giants head into tomorrow night's game ranked sixth in the Western Conference, but are just one point back of Portland for fourth place.
Images from this story
Western Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2021
- Jesse Heslop, Caden Zaplitny Net First WHL Goals in 7-2 Home Win over Chiefs - Everett Silvertips
- Chiefs Fall 7-2 to Division-Leading Silvertips to Close First Half - Spokane Chiefs
- Rebels Pull out Overtime Victory on the Strength of Ungar's Goaltending, Timely Penalty Kills - Red Deer Rebels
- Hitmen Fall to Rebels in Overtime - Calgary Hitmen
- Tri-City Plays Final Game Before Christmas Break - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Close out First Half on Road against Everett Silvertips - Spokane Chiefs
- Silvertips Ink Third-Round Pick Jesse Heslop to Standard Player Agreement - Everett Silvertips
- Americans Take 6-5 Victory in Roller Coaster Game against Royals - Tri-City Americans
- Hanas, Stefan Combine for Must-Watch Goal in 4-1 Victory - Portland Winterhawks
- T-Birds Fall in Everett - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Cougars See Streak End at Vancouver - Prince George Cougars
- Royals Lose to Americans in High-Scoring Affair - Victoria Royals
- Giants Return to Win Column After a 3-1 Triumph over PG - Vancouver Giants
- ICE Fall 4-2 to Brandon - Winnipeg Ice
- Wheat Kings Win in Winnipeg - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Broncos Comeback Falls Just Short in Edmonton - Swift Current Broncos
- Chiefs' Offense Stumbles in 4-1 Loss to Portland - Spokane Chiefs
- Canes Sneak by Tabbies 5-3 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Shorthanded Silvertips Power Past Thunderbirds in 4-1 Home Win - Everett Silvertips
- Volotovskii Sends Bears Flying, Raiders Top Blades 4-1 - Saskatoon Blades
- Poor Second Period Leads to Defeat vs. Warriors - Regina Pats
- Warriors Head into Break with a Win over Regina - Moose Jaw Warriors
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