GAME DAY: Giants vs. Blades Nov. 1

Langley, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants (7-4-2-0) host the top team in the Eastern Conference tonight, the Saskatoon Blades (10-2-1-0), at 7:00 p.m. at the Langley Events Centre.

It’s the first and only meeting of the season, and also the first game of Saskatoon’s five-game B.C. road trip.

The G-Men are coming off a 3-1 win on Sunday over a much-improved Kamloops team where they only allowed 26 shots on goal. They have picked up three of four points in back-to-back weekends, giving them points in four straight contests. The Giants’ physical play stood out last weekend and that will need to continue against a strong defensive team like the Blades.

Saskatoon made it all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last year before losing in overtime to the eventual WHL Champion Moose Jaw Warriors. Although they went all-in last year, the Blades have not taken a step back in 2024-25, currently five points up on Swift Current for top spot in the division, with a game in hand.

The Blades rank second in the WHL in goal differential at +20 (53 GF, 33 GA), while the Giants are tied for third best at +9 (55 GF, 46 GA).

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TODAY’S MATCHUP

The last meeting between these teams was on January 10, 2024, when the Giants were playing their fourth game of a five-game East Division road trip. Saskatoon won the game 7-2.

It’s also a rare matchup, with Vancouver and Saskatoon only meeting twice in the last five years. The Giants are 2-3 in their last five meetings with Saskatoon, dating back to 2017.

The Blades most recent game was a 4-3 overtime win on the road against Brandon on October 25. They are 3-2 in their last five road games, while the Giants are 4-1 on home ice this season, outscoring their opponents 28-17.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Player to Watch for the Giants is forward Tyler Thorpe. 

The 6-foot-4 forward had two goals and seven shots on goal on Sunday and now has four goals and five points in his last four games. Thorpe leads the Giants with 51 shots on goal, including 21 in his last four games.

The Montreal Canadiens draft pick also averages more ice-time than any other forward on the Giants.

On the other side, Brandon Lisowsky is the Player to Watch for Saskatoon.

The Port Coquitlam product has 125 career WHL goals, including 42 last year and three straight seasons with at least 30 goals.

While the Toronto Maple Leafs opted not to sign the 5-foot-9 winger after drafting him in 2022, is clearly one of the most dangerous offensive players in the WHL. With goals in four of his last five games and currently riding a six-game point streak (4G-6A), the 20-year-old is starting to feel it after playing in AHL preseason action with the Toronto Marlies that delayed his return to the WHL.

Lisowsky is a high-volume shooter who is dangerous off the rush and off the cycle.

TALE OF THE TAPE (2024-25 REG SEASON)

SEASON SERIES VS. SASKATOON (0-0-0; 1 H2H)