PREVIEW: Giants Wrap Season Series With Blazers on Road Saturday
PHOTO BY: ROB WILTON
Kamloops, B.C. – Tonight the Vancouver Giants (31-29-4-0) wrap their eight-game season series against the Kamloops Blazers (20-37-3-3) in a 6 p.m. battle at the Sandman Centre.
With only four games remaining in the regular season, Vancouver is currently just one point behind Kelowna for fifth place, following their 3-1 win over Kamloops on Friday night at home.
The Blazers may be eliminated from playoff contention, but they fought every step of the way on Friday, and they’ve won all three H2H home contests against the Giants this season.
The Giants lead the season series 4-3.
HOW TO TUNE IN
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LAST TIME OUT
The Giants made a move up the standings on Friday night, hopping the Victoria Royals for sixth place in the Western Conference following a 3-1 win over the Kamloops Blazers at the Langley Events Centre.
The game was knotted 1-1 for much of the night, until Ty Halaburda’s go-ahead goal with just 4:21 left in regulation, which was his 21st tally of the season. Jaden Lipinski (21st) and Connor Levis (22nd, empty-net goal) also scored in the win.
Brett Mirwald was fabulous yet again in the victory, stopping 33 of 34 shots, including a flurry of action in the final minutes with the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker. The Saskatoon, Sask. product is now 14-3-2 in his last 19 games with a .930 SV%.
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP
Tonight is the eighth and final head-to-head meeting this season, with the Giants leading the season series 4-3. The home team has won all seven games so far.
Vancouver’s wins came on Oct. 29 (4-3), Nov. 4 (3-2 in a SO), Feb. 24 (7-1) and last night (3-1). The Blazers wins came on Sept. 29 (5-1), Nov. 24 (6-3) and March 2 (3-2).
The Blazers, meanwhile, are 4-4 in their last eight home games. Their last win came against the Giants on March 2.
TALE OF THE TAPE
| VANCOUVER | STAT | KAMLOOPS |
| 31-29-4-0 (66 Pts) | RECORD | 20-38-3-3 (46 Pts) |
| 3rd | DIV. RANK | 5th |
| 6th | CONF. RANK | 11th |
| 5-4-1-0 | PAST 10 | 2-7-0-1 |
| 2W | STREAK | 4L |
| 19-10-3-0 | HOME | 13-16-3-0 |
| 12-19-1-0 | AWAY | 7-22-0-3 |
| 206 (3.22 – 15th) | GF (/G) | 173 (2.70 – 22nd) |
| 230 (3.59 – 11th) | GA (/G) | 269 (4.20 – 18th) |
| 44-for-219 (20.1%) | PP% | 46-for-223 (20.6%) |
| 214-for-271 (78.6%) | PK% | 146-for-203 (71.9%) |
| Halaburda (21-41-62)
Lipinski (21-39-60) Schmidt (26-25-51) |
LEADERS | Finnie (17-38-55)
Keller (20-28-48) Ferster (17-21-38) |
| 109 (20th) | POINTS BY D | 105 (21st) |
WHAT ARE WE WEARING
The Giants will be wearing their white primary jerseys for tonight’s game.
SEASON SERIES VS. KAMLOOPS (4-3-0-0; 8 H2H)
| DATE | LOCATION | RESULT/TIME |
| Sept. 29, 2023 | Sandman Centre | 5-1 L |
| Oct. 29, 2023 | LEC | 4-3 W |
| Nov. 4, 2023 | LEC | 3-2 SOW |
| Nov. 24, 2023 | Sandman Centre | 6-3 L |
| Feb. 24, 2024 | LEC | 7-1 W |
| March 2, 2024 | Sandman Centre | 3-2 L |
| March 15, 2024 | LEC | 3-1 W |
| March 16, 2024 | Sandman Centre | 6:00 PT |
FINAL 4 GAMES
| DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION | TIME |
| March 16, 2024 | at Kamloops | Sandman Centre | 6:00 pm PST |
| March 17, 2024 | vs. Prince George | LEC | 4:00 pm PST |
| March 22, 2024 | vs. Kelowna | LEC | 7:00 pm PST |
| March 23, 2024 | at Kelowna | Prospera Place | 7:05 pm PST |
