PREVIEW: Vancouver Giants at Prince George Cougars (Game #11)
Tonight at the CN Centre, the Vancouver Giants return to action for their second game in as many nights when they clash once again with the Prince George Cougars. Last night the Giants dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to the Cougars, despite a strong goaltending performance from Will Gurski and some notable injuries up front. Luckily, Michael Dyck’s crew won’t have to wait long for a chance at redemption as the Giants and Cougars meet tonight for the fourth time in a span of 11 games.
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Mark Lamb
Record: 6-6-0-0
Home Record:
Last 10: 6-4-0-0
Goals For/Goals Against: 35 GF/35 GA (0)
Power Play: 12.5% (4th in B.C. Division)
Penalty Kill: 86.7% (1st in B.C. Division)
Leading Scorers: Riley Heidt (4-8-12), Craig Armstrong (4-5-9), Hudson Thornton (2-7-9)
BRENNAN SHINES
2003-born goaltender Tyler Brennan was the first star of last night’s game. The Winnipeg, MB native stopped all 27 Giants shots fired his way en route to his second shutout of the season and his fourth victory overall. Brennan’s record now sits at 4-3 with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. He’s recorded two shutouts in his last three starts. In two appearances against Vancouver he’s now 1-1 with a 1.02 goals-against average and a .967 save percentage.
COUGAR NOTES
- The Prince George Cougars have scored one goal in each of their past four games. They are 1-3 in that span.
- The Cougars are now 4-2 on home ice.
- Four different Cougars (Heidt, Samson, Gronick, MacAdams) have each recorded two points against the Giants.
- The Cougars power play is now 1/11 this season against the Giants. Their penalty kill is 10/11.
VANCOUVER GIANTS
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Michael Dyck
Record: 6-3-1-0
Road Record: 1-2-1-0
Last 10: 6-3-1-0
Goals For/Goals Against: 36 GF/28 GA (+8)
Power Play: 18.9% (3rd in B.C. Division)
Penalty Kill: 79.1% (3rd in B.C. Division)
Leading Scorers: Justin Sourdif (5-10-15), Ty Thorpe (5-7-12), Fabian Lysell (2-9-11)
VIKMAN GETS THE NOD
Goaltending has been a glaring strength as of late for the Vancouver Giants and tonight it will be Jesper Vikman getting the nod in the back half of the Northern double-header with Prince George. Coming into tonight, the 2002-born Swede is 5-1-1-0 with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage and two shutouts. Last Saturday against Portland, Vikman stopped 39 of the 40 shots fired his way to secure the victory and was named the game’s first star for his efforts. Vikman is 1-0 on the season against Prince George having stopped 32 of 36 shots faced back on October 8th at home.
GIANT NOTES
- Last night’s loss marked the first time this season the Giants had lost a game when surrendering three-or-fewer goals against.
- Ty Thorpe (5G, 7A) has recorded points in six of his past seven games straight games. In that span he’s notched four goals and four assists.
- Adam Hall, Payton Mount and Connor Horning have each scored two goals on the road this season.
- Three of Connor Horning’s four goals this season have been scored in the first period.
- When leading after two periods, the Giants are 6-0-1-0.
