WHL Vancouver Giants

Vancouver Giants/Seattle Thunderbirds Preview

Published on October 31, 2011 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release


The Vancouver Giants have a busy month ahead of them as they will play 13 games in the month of November beginning Tuesday night in Seattle vs. the Thunderbirds. The Giants (8-7-0-1) are coming off a 2-1 loss in Prince George on Saturday night. A loss that snapped their season high 4 game winning streak. The Thunderbirds (5-6-0-0), who currently sit in 4th place in the U.S. division, are also coming off a loss; they were defeated by Victoria 7-3 Saturday night.

It has been slow going for the Thunderbirds, who have played just 11 games in the first 40 days of the regular season schedule. However, like Vancouver they have a busy November playing 13 games. The Thunderbirds defeated the Giants in the first meeting of the season back on October 14 at the Pacific Coliseum. Defenseman Kyle Verdino scored with under four minutes remaining in regulation to give the visitors a 3-2 victory. Once again this season, the Thunderbirds are led by goaltender Calvin Pickard. He has started 10 of the team's 11 games and is 5-5-0-0 with a 3.75 goals against average, and a .898 save percentage. German import Marcel Noebels leads the team offensively with 6 goals and 3 assists for 9 points. Goals have come at a premium for the T-Birds as they have a league low 29 goals in 11 games this season.

Meanwhile, the Giants look to get back on the winning track Tuesday, but they will have to do it without a couple of their younger players. Scott Cooke, Anthony Ast, Blake Orban, and Matt Bellerive are all out with upper body injuries. Logan Harland has been recalled to fill the void left by all the injuries. He had 1 goal in 3 games with the Giants this season before being reassigned to the AJHL. Discipline will also be a big factor for Vancouver as they are the most penalized team in the WHL with 328 penalty minutes. Seattle scored 2 power play goals in their win over the Giants earlier this season.

The game starts at 7:05 pm at the Showare Center and can be heard live on AM 650 beginning at 6:30 pm with the pregame show.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2011


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