PREVIEW: Vancouver Giants at Kamloops Blazers (Game #68)
Tonight in Kamloops, the Vancouver Giants will wrap up their eventful 2021-2022 regular season schedule with one final showdown against the B.C. Division champions, the Kamloops Blazers. Last night at home the Vancouver Giants earned a massive single point in an OT loss to the Rockets, and because of that, they’ve “all but clinched” a berth in the 2022 playoffs. Their first round opponent however remains a mystery as there are at least 14 different scenarios that could play out tonight between the Giants/Cougars/Chiefs/Royals which will ultimately determine the Western Conference standings.
KAMLOOPS BLAZERS
OVERVIEW
Record: 47-17-3-0
Home Record: 23-7-3-0
Last Game: A 4-2 loss at home yesterday to the Prince George Cougars.
Last 10: 6-3-1-0
Goals For/Goals Against: 282 GF/174 GA (+108)
Power Play: 23.3% (9th)
Penalty Kill: 81.0% (5th)
Leading Scorers: Logan Stankoven (44-58-102), Luke Toporowski (35-28-63), Daylan Kuefler (38-21-59)
WHAT TODAY MEANS FOR KAMLOOPS
Tonight’s game is of serious importance for the Kamloops Blazers and their seeding in the Western Conference. With a win tonight the Kamloops Blazers ensure themselves the second placed seed, which for re-seeding purposes would give them home-ice advantage in Round 2 of the playoffs should they get there. Last night’s loss to Prince George has momentarily put them behind the Portland Winterhawks into third. It’s important to note that Kamloops will keep the #2 seed for Round 1 because of their division championship.
THE SEASON SERIES
- The Blazers are 9-1-1-0 against Vancouver.
- Logan Stankoven has notched 18 points (8G, 10A) in 11 previous meetings to lead all Blazers.
- Dylan Garand is 9-1 this season against Vancouver with a 1.56 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage.
- Quinn Schmiemann leads all Blazer blueliners with 12 points (3G, 9A) in 11 games vs. Vancouver.
- The Blazers power play has gone 15/56 against the Giants.
- Their penalty kill is 32/36.
BLAZER NOTES
- 34 of Logan Stankoven’s 44 goals have come at even-strength or worse.
- Stankoven and Daylan Kuefler have combined for 17 game-winning goals for Kamloops.
- With 282 goals this season, Kamloops ranks second in the Western Conference and fourth in the WHL.
VANCOUVER GIANTS
OVERVIEW
Record: 24-38-5-0
Road Record: 14-18-1-0
Last Game: A 3-2 overtime loss last night to Kelowna at home.
Last 10: 1-8-1-0
Goals For/Goals Against: 183 GF/249 GA (-66)
Power Play: 17.6% (18th)
Penalty Kill: 76.2% (18th)
Leading Scorers: Fabian Lysell (22-40-62), Ty Thorpe (16-28-44). Zack Ostapchuk (25-17-42)
WHAT TODAY MEANS FOR THE GIANTS
For the Giants today is simple: Win and you clinch sixth place. There are at least 14 different plausible scenarios of how things could end up today in the Western Conference, but the Giants rid themselves of all confusion with a victory. With two points tonight in Kamloops, it doesn’t matter what happens to Prince George, Spokane or Victoria. If the Giants win tonight, they’re in sixth and they’ll play Portland in Round 1. If the Giants do not win, then any number of scenarios could occur with the end result meaning sixth, seventh or eighth place for the Giants.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT
After a tough 6-0 home loss Wednesday against Seattle, the Vancouver Giants were challenged to ‘bounce back’ and they did so in convincing fashion. Fabian Lysell and Zack Ostapchuk supplied goals for Vancouver while goaltender Will Gurski made 40 saves, many of which A-Grade. The single point keeps the Giants in full control of their playoff seeding destiny. It also ensures that tonight’s game with Kamloops carries significance for both teams.
GIANT NOTES
- Jaden Lipinski and Evan Toth will both suit up in their 68th games of the season. Both players are the only Giants to not miss a game this season.
- Fabian Lysell recorded his 20th multi-point game of the season last night thanks to a goal and an assist.
- Lysell’s five goals and five assists are tops among all Giants against Kamloops.
- The Giants are 14-18-1-0 for the season on the road, and one of those wins came in Kamloops on February 19th in overtime.
- Zack Ostapchuk now has six goals in his past five games.
