Preseason Preview: Vancouver Giants vs. Kamloops Blazers (Sept. 22)
Ticketing Information For Tonight:
- Tickets are available for $15 at the door.
- Proof of vaccination required at the door. (Scanned upon entry.)
- The Vancouver Giants staff and players will all be adhering to all current provincial COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions. Masks are mandatory in all public spaces for all non on-ice participants. Anybody in attendance must practice safe social distancing at all times.
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Tonight at the Ladner Leisure Centre, the Vancouver Giants take to the ice for their first preseason game of 2021 when they welcome the Kamloops Blazers to the Ladner Leisure Centre. For the Giants it marks their first game action since May 11th while the Kamloops Blazers have already played two preseason games.
TONIGHT’S LINEUP SHEET – STREAM THE GAME HERE (SPORTSWAVE TV)
KAMLOOPS BLAZERS
OVERVIEW
Preseason Record: 1-0-0-1
Head Coach: Shaun Clouston
2020-21 Regular Season Record: 18-4
2020-21 Record vs. VAN: 4-2
Last Game: A 7-6 Shootout Loos Saturday in Prince George
Leading Scorers: Nick McCarry (2GP – 2G -2A – 4PTS), Josh Pillar (2GP – 1G – 3A – 4PTS), Matthew Seminoff (2GP – 3G – 0A – 3PTS)
A PILLAR OF STRENGTH
Josh Pillar led the Kamloops Blazers in scoring last season with 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points. The product of Warman, SK has already struck twice during the 2021 preseason, and is looking to build off a solid summer that saw him get selected by the Minnesota Wild in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft. In six games against Vancouver last season, Pillar potted two goals along with two assists.
‘MINT’ CONDITION
2004-born forward Fraser Minten comes into tonight’s game having already registered one goal and one assist through two preseason games so far. The Vancouver product had four goals and 14 assists for 18 points to lead all Blazer rookies a season ago. Minten is eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft.
BLAZER NOTES
- Through two preseason games, the Kamloops Blazers have had eight different goal scorers.
- 13 rostered Kamloops Blazers from last season have already appeared in at least one of the previous two exhibition games.
- The Blazers are 4/12 so far on the power play.
- The Blazers are 5/8 on the penalty kill.
VANCOUVER GIANTS
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Michael Dyck
2020-21 Record: 12-10
2020-21 Record vs. KAM: 2-4
Last Game: A 6-1 victory back on May 11th against Victoria.
NHL CAMPING
The following five players remain at NHL Training Camps and will not be in uniform tonight for the Vancouver Giants:
- Justin Sourdif (FLA)
- Zack Ostapchuk (OTT)
- Jesper Vikman (LV)
- Cade McNelly (LA)
- Fabian Lysell (BOS)
FRESH FACES
Tonight marks the first time that fans will get a look at the bright future of the Vancouver Giants. Up front, 2005-born draftees Ethan Semeniuk and Ty Halaburda will both be appearing in a Giants uniform for the first time. 2004-born forward Jaden Lipinski will also be suiting up for the first time since he signed with the Giants earlier in the spring. Recent signee Kyle Bochek (2003) also draws into the game. On the back-end, 2004-born defenceman Damian Palmieri will also make his Giants debut tonight in Ladner.
A VETERAN PRESENCE
The G-Men will have some familiar faces in their lineup tonight when they clash with Kamloops. On the back-end, 2001-born defenceman Connor Horning will be tasked with logging big minutes alongside 2002-born Tanner Brown. Marko Stacha, Brenden Pentecost, Mazden Leslie and Nicco Camazzola are all scheduled to play as well. Up front, 2001-born Adam Hall will be the elder statesmen up front, but he’ll be joined by veterans Kaden Kohle, Payton Mount, Ty Thorpe, and Justin Lies. As October 2nd looms in the near future, tonight marks the first game-scenario audition for the 2021-2022 Giants.
AUDIO
Pre-Game Audio from Michael Dyck:
