Giants Fall Just Short In A Rematch Against Kamloops
Tuesday night at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, the Vancouver Giants (9-6-0-0) dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision to the Kamloops Blazers (12-2-0-0). Josh Pillar scored twice for Kamloops, including a third period power play goal to break up a 1-1 tie at 7:38 of the final period. Vancouver’s lone goal came from Tanner Brown in the second period. Both goaltenders put forth strong efforts as Dylan Garand made 38 saves for Kamloops while Trent Miner made 22 saves in response for Vancouver.
GIANTS DROP A NAIL-BITER
1st Period:
No Scoring
Shots: 11-2
2nd Period:
VAN – At 13:25, Tanner Brown put the Giants on the board with a laser-like shot from the left-wing circle that beat Dylan Garand. Brown’s first of the season was assisted by Alex Kannok Leipert and Bryce Bader.
KAM – One minute and 11 seconds later, Kamloops answered when Josh Pillar finished off a Connor Zary pass, and fired his sixth goal past a sprawled Trent Miner. Daylon Kuefler recorded the second assist on the goal.
Shots: 14-9 Vancouver
3rd Period:
KAM – Josh Pillar moved Kamloops ahead 2-1 with a power play goal at 7:38. Trent Miner got “some” of Pillar’s shot, but not quite enough of it, as the puck dribbled barely across the goal line. Connor Zary and Quinn Schmiemann both assisted.
*The Giants were unsuccessful on a late five-on-three power play opportunity that lasted one minute and 38 seconds.
Shots: 14-13 Vancouver
GAME SUMMARY:
Final Score: Kamloops 2 – Vancouver 1
Final Shots: 39 – 24 Vancouver
Trent Miner: 22/24 saves for Vancouver (6-5)
Dylan Garand: 38/39 saves for Kamloops (10-2)
Vancouver Power Play: 0/6
Kamloops Power Play: 1/4
3 Stars:
- Dylan Garand (KAM – 38 Saves)
- Trent Miner (VAN – 22 Saves)
- Josh Pillar (KAM – 2 Goals)
Next Giants Game: A road showdown on Thursday night in Kelowna at 7:05 PM.
NOTES:
- Tanner Brown recorded his first goal since November 8th, 2019 – A 3-1 home victory for the Vancouver Giants against the Portland Winterhawks.
- 11 of the Giants 48 goals this season have now come via defencemen.
- The Giants are now 2-3 on the season against Kamloops and trail them by six points in the B.C. Division standings.
- In four meetings against Kamloops, Trent Miner is now 2-2 with a 1.01 goals-against average and .964 save percentage.