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WHL Vancouver Giants

Mirwald Backstops Giants To Shutout Win Over Wheat Kings

January 6, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release


Vancouver Giants' Cameron Schmidt in action
Vancouver Giants' Cameron Schmidt in action
(Vancouver Giants, Credit: Scramble Studio)

Brandon, Man. - Brett Mirwald's outstanding play in the Vancouver Giants crease continued on Saturday night, as he backstopped the Giants to a 4-0 shutout win over the Brandon Wheat Kings with a 48-save performance on the road.

With the win, Vancouver's record improves to 15-21-2-0 this season and hopped them back into eighth place in the Western Conference standings. Brandon falls to 19-14-4-1.

While Mirwald has already recorded 50 or more save in a game twice this season, this is the most saves he has recorded in a win in his WHL career. Over his last six starts, Mirwald is 4-2 with a .948 save percentage and 1.99 goals-against-average.

Providing the offence for the Giants on Saturday was London Hoilett (scoring his first in a Giant uniform), Justin Ivanusec, Tyler Thorpe and Ty Halaburda.

GAME SUMMARY:

The Giants found the twine first in this one, in the dying seconds of their first power play of the game. With under seven minutes left in the period, Aaron Obobaifo spun off the far side boards and into the middle of the ice, where his wrist shot was blocked by a skate, but London Hoilett was able to make contact with the puck right out of mid-air, potting his first goal in a Giants uniform and third of the season.

Less than two minutes later, the Giants extended their lead to 2-0 after Ivanusec deposited the rebound following a save on Cameron Schmidt's breakaway. It was Ivanusec's third tally of the season.

After 20 minutes, the Giants led 2-0.

The second period was almost entirely controlled by the Wheat Kings, who fired 29 shots on goal, but Mirwald stopped each and every one of Brandon's attempts on goal.

Additionally, the Giants got an insurance marker, as Jaden Lipinski made a deft pass to Thorpe in front of the net, who made no mistake for his team-leading 18th goal of the season.

After two periods, Vancouver held a 3-0 lead, but were being outshot 37-13.

The third period saw the Wheat Kings with the majority of possession, but Vancouver did a very good job of keeping them to the outside. In fact, the Giants were shorthanded twice in the third period, and even so held Brandon to 11 shots on goal in the final frame.

Ty Halaburda would add an empty-net goal - his 14th of the year - with just under three minutes remaining to put the icing on the cake and make it a 4-0 final score.

CLICK FOR ONLINE RECAP WITH GOAL CLIPS

STATISTICS

SOG: VAN - 10/3/7 = 20 | BDN - 8/29/11 = 48

PP: VAN - 1/2 | BDN - 0/5

Face-Offs: VAN - 24 | BDN - 38

3 STARS

1st: VAN - Brett Mirwald - 48-Save Shutout

2nd: VAN - Jaden Lipinski - 2A, +2

3rd: VAN - Logen Hammett - 1A, +2

GOALTENDING BATTLE

Vancouver: WIN - Brett Mirwald (48 saves / 48 shots)

Brandon: Loss - Ethan Eskit (16 saves / 19 shots)

NEXT GAME:

The Giants continue their five-game road trip through the Prairies next week, with their next game happening on Tuesday, January 9 in Prince Albert against the Raiders. Then they'll face off against Saskatoon on Wednesday, Regina on Friday and Moose Jaw on Saturday.

The Giants next home game is Sunday, January 21 at 2 p.m. against the Kelowna Rockets.

Check out the Vancouver Giants Statistics




Images from this story

Vancouver Giants' Cameron Schmidt in action
Vancouver Giants' Cameron Schmidt in action
(Scramble Studio)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from January 6, 2024


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