WHL Vancouver Giants

Giants Weekly Recap

Published on January 2, 2006 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release


The Vancouver Giants are returning home as the hottest team in the Western Hockey League after winning four of five games on their recent Central Division road trip.

Last Tuesday, the Giants returned from the WHL holiday break and beat the Red Deer Rebels 4-2. Michal Repik had a pair of goals in the win, now giving him 18 on the season and putting him into the league-lead among WHL rookie scorers.

On Wednesday, Dustin Slade stopped 14 shots in his sixth shut-out of the season in a 3-0 win over the Calgary Hitmen. Brendan Mikkelson scored the winning goal that game, which turned out to be his first in a Giants uniform.

Friday night, the Giants set a franchise record for goals on the road in a big 8-4 win over the Swift Current Broncos. Mark Fistric and Kyle Lamb each had three-point performances in what was the Giants eighth straight victory, another club record.

Saturday, Vancouver peppered 44 shots on goal, but dropped a 4-1 decision to the Central Division leading Medicine Hat Tigers. Tommy Tartaglione, making his first start in goal since December 4, suffered the loss. With that defeat, the Giants posted a record of 11-2-0-0 in the month of December.

On Sunday, the Giants opened up 2006 with a 3-0 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Slade made 26 saves for his WHL-leading seventh shut-out of the year in a game which saw Vancouver get goals from Fistric, Tim Kraus, and Paul Albers.

The Giants, who have now won nine of their last ten games, are tied with the Kootenay Ice and Medicine Hat Tigers for top spot in the WHL. Through 40 games, the Giants are 27-9-0-4, good enough for 58 points. In addition, they have the best winning percentage in the WHL (.725) and they have only lost three games on the road in regulation! They will get a well-deserved break from action this week in preparation for two games next weekend. Friday January 7, the Giants take on the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place (7:00pm). Saturday January 8, the Giants return home to entertain the Portland Winterhawks (5:00pm).

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2006


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