WHL Vancouver Giants

Giants Skate Past Bruins, 3-2

Published on February 15, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release


VANCOUVER BC - Casey Pierro-Zabotel scored twice, including the game winner mid-way through the third period, as the Vancouver Giants defeated the Chilliwack Bruins 3-2 in a tightly contested affair at the Pacific Coliseum.

The Giants withstood a Bruins team that locked down the Giants for the most part and limited Vancouver to just 24 shots on goal, well below their average of 37 per game.

Vancouver was able to get off to a quick start as James Henry beat Mark Friesen of the Bruins with a shot off the post and in at just 1:10 of the opening period. The score would remain 1-0 into the second until Alex Wiklund would tie things up for the Bruins on the power play midway through the middle stanza, beating Giants keeper Tyson Sexsmith with a quick shot from the top of the faceoff circle. Vancouver would answer back on a power play of their own. Evander Kane would swoop in from the left of Friesen and be thwarted on a brilliant pad save by Friesen, the puck would get jarred loose by Nick Ross, who had charged in from the point and slip over to Pierro-Zabotel, who would make no mistake and slide the puck in at 17:02. Scott Ramsay would get the goal right back for Chilliwack however, as his wrist shot from the side boards would deflect off the shoulder of Brent Regner and past Sexsmith to tie things up at two.

That set the stage for a penalty shot late in period two. After referee Regan Vetter determined that Brent Regner had impeded Ryan Howse on a breakaway to the Giants goal, Howse was awarded a penalty shot. The Bruins leading goal scorer would come in on Tyson Sexsmith and fake shot before trying to deke Sexsmith, but the Vancouver goalie would hold firm with a nice left pad save to keep the game tied at 2 after two.

In the third period, the Bruins would actually lock down Vancouver and prevent them from getting a shot until the 12 minute mark of the period, unfortunately for the Bruins that first shot would be the game winning goal. Chilliwack defender Jesse Craige would gift wrap a pass onto the stick of Casey Pierro-Zabotel 20 feet in front of the Bruins goal. Casey would take the puck in and tuck it away past Friesen for the game winner at 12:26.

Tyson Sexsmith had another stellar game for Vancouver as he rounds his game into playoff form. Sexsmith would face just 15 shots but make many quality saves to pick up his 33rd win of the season. Pierro-Zabotel's two goals give him 32 on the season and also leave him with 99 points, just one away from the century mark.

The Giants now will have the week off before embarking on their busiest ten days in franchise history, when they play eight games in that span. Vancouver will take on Kelowna next Friday night at the Pacific Coliseum. With the next Vancouver win or overtime loss or Kelowna's next loss, Vancouver will claim their fourth consecutive BC Division Title.

You can catch all the action on AM 650. WHITE SPOT GIANTS HOCKEY will begin at 7pm with the SAVE ON FOOD PREGAME SHOW with Brook Ward and Steve Ewen from The Province Newspaper. Dave Sheldon and Steve will call all of the action from the Rink on Renfrew at 7:30 pm.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2009


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