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WHL Vancouver Giants

Royals Come from Behind to Beat Giants 3-2

October 28, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release


Langley, BC - The Vancouver Giants took a 2-1 lead into the third period of Friday's game against Victoria, but the Royals scored two goals in 47 seconds in the third to come from behind and win the game 3-2.

The Giants are now 3-6-1 this season.

Scoring for Vancouver was Ty Halaburda and Colton Langkow, while Brett Mirwald made 29 saves.

On the other side, Dawson Pasternak had the game-winning-goal for Victoria, while Ben Riche and Robin Sapousek also found the back of the net. The Royals improve to 7-6-0 this season and are 7-2 in their last nine games.

GAME SUMMARY:

The Giants struck first in this one, after Connor Dale fed a long stretch pass to Halaburda, who got in behind the defence and made no mistake on the backhand to open the scoring. It was the third consecutive game with a goal for the Victoria native.

Vancouver took that 1-0 lead into the first intermission, where the shots favoured the visitors 9-8.

Just three minutes into the second period, Victoria tied the game after Cole Reschny found Riche backdoor to make it 1-1.

The Giants, however, responded quickly, regaining their one-goal lead after Julian Cull found Langkow at the left faceoff circle. Langkow quickly fired a wrist shot past the glove of Brayden Holt to make it 2-1 for Vancouver.

The Giants took their 2-1 lead into the second intermission, despite being outshot 15-9 by the Royals in the second period.

There wasn't much to report in the first half of the third period, but things quickly changed when Victoria scored two goals in under a minute.

First, Robin Sapousek jumped on a rebound at the 12:20 mark to tie the game.

Then, 47 seconds later, Pasternak, a new addition to the team, ripped a shot from the right side past Mirwald to give Victoria their first lead of the game.

The Giants pulled the goalie with 2:35 remaining, but got called for a penalty. They did get a good chance in the dying seconds when Logen Hammett fired a shot to the net that led to a crease scramble, but Holt was able to keep the puck out.

STATISTICS

SOG: VAN - 8/9/11 = 28 | VIC - 9/15/8 = 32

PP: VAN - 0/1 | VIC - 0/5

Face-Offs: VAN - 31 | VIC - 19

3 STARS

1st: VIC - Dawson Pasternak - 1G, 1A, 4 SOG

2nd: VAN - Colton Langkow - 1G, 1 SOG

3rd: VIC - Tanner Scott - 1A, 2 SOG

GOALTENDING BATTLE

Vancouver: Loss - Brett Mirwald (29 saves / 32 shots)

Victoria: Win - Brayden Holt (26 saves / 28 shots)

NOTEWORTHY:

Ty Halaburda now has goals in three consecutive games, after not scoring in his first seven games

The Giants PK went a perfect 5-for-5

Both of Langkow's two goals this season have come against Victoria

NEXT GAME:

The Giants battle Victoria again on Saturday, this time on the road at 6:05 p.m. PST, before heading home for a Sunday matchup with Kamloops for the annual Trick or Suite game at 4:00 p.m. PST.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2023


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