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GAME SUMMARY

Schmidt found the back of the net just 1:53 into the first period, after a great give-and-go with Adam Titlbach off the rush on the power play.

Giants open the scoring with a PP goal!!

Beautiful feed from Adam Titlbach and Cameron Schmidt with the finish <3#GiantNewEra pic.twitter.com/AKrDBzJN3m

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) February 15, 2024

 

That was the only goal of the first period.

Victoria tied the game several minutes into the second period after a power play goal of their own. Good puck movement from up high, to down low, to the slot thanks to two quick passes led to Haugen’s 11th tally of the season.

Before the second period was done, Vancouver grabbed back the lead.

Schmidt sprung Gronick for a semi-breakaway, where he had to fight off defenceman Justin Kipkie, who slashed him on the play, but the 19-year-old used strong body positioning to free himself for a quick shot that went top shelf to make the score 2-1.

Kyren Gronick 😍#GiantNewEra pic.twitter.com/IQEFcUMhp4

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) February 15, 2024

 

Schmidt started a 2-on-1 from his own zone early in the third period and then fed Gronick cross-ice for his second of the game to make it 3-1 Giants at 5:20 of the third.

Valentine's date going well so far, hbu?

Kyren Gronick with his second of the night to extend Vancouver's lead to 3-1!#GiantNewEra pic.twitter.com/TtIWVyolEB

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) February 15, 2024

Just 1:19 later, Obobaifo one-timed a shot from the right circle off a feed from Mazden Leslie to make it 4-1 Giants.

OBO IZZA SHOOTA TO YOUR HEART 💘

4-1 VAN | 3rd 6:49#GiantNewEra pic.twitter.com/gyuscbc5HT

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) February 15, 2024

Before the game was done, Marinkovic would bat home a rebound after a good net drive from Obobaifo to make the final 5-1.

can't stop, won't stop 💘 Tomis! Marinkovic!

5-1 VAN | 3rd 11:00#GiantNewEra pic.twitter.com/grnxp1BXnV

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) February 15, 2024

CLICK BELOW FOR THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS

 

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THEY SAID IT

“It was nice to see some different guys contribute tonight. Obobaifo coming back and I think he had a goal and an assist there, [Marinkovic] getting one late and [Edwards] I think had two assists, so it’s just nice seeing a couple of depth line get rewarded tonight. You need that in these games, when at the end of the day I thought it was a tight first period and we got a little bit better as the game went along.” – Associate Coach Adam Maglio on the game overall

“The guys are gelling really well and they’re pulling for each other. They get up when different some guys contribute like they did tonight.” – Associate Coach Adam Maglio

“He’s so smart, so whether he’s using his body to protect pucks or getting in soft spots like he did to get on the pass from [Schmidt] there, and he’s got a great shot. I think an underrated, really good shot. It’s been great having him back and he’s producing right now, it’s really good to see.” – Associate Coach Adam Maglio on Gronick’s game

“I think his give-and-go game [has grown], that’s where Cameron is excelling too. Obviously he’s very offensively gifted and has great finish around the net, but he’s learning how to use his teammates and playing a little more give-and-go hockey. Two really good passes tonight.” – Associate Coach Adam Maglio on Schmidt’s game

CLICK BELOW FOR THE POST-GAME INTERVIEW WITH AC ADAM MAGLIO AS HEARD ON SPORTSNET 650