RECAP: Giants Tie Game Late to Grab Point vs. Royals on Sunday

Category: ArticleJanuary 28, 2024

PHOTO BY: KEVIN LIGHT PHOTO

Victoria, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants erased another multi-goal deficit on Sunday afternoon against the Victoria Royals, but this time they couldn’t grab the extra point, falling 3-2 in overtime.

The Giants come away with five of a possible six points in their triple header against Victoria this weekend.

Vancouver is now 7-3-1 since the calendar switched to 2024, while their overall record falls to 20-24-3-0. Victoria improves to 25-16-4-3 this season.

The Giants got more goals from their new additions: Tyson Zimmer netted his 16th of the season and Connor Levis tied the game in the final minute with his 15th of the season and fifth in seven games since joining the Giants.

Victoria got goals from Tyson Laventure, Teydon Trembecky and the OT winner from Dawson Pasternak.

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GAME SUMMARY:

Sunday’s game wasn’t nearly as frantic as Saturday’s.

The first goal of the game didn’t happen until the 17:02 mark of the second period, when Laventure entered off the rush and cut to the slot, ripping a wrist shot to the top corner to open the scoring.

Trembecky would double Victoria’s lead 6:16 into the third period off a deflection in front.

Just like on Friday and Saturday, the Giants wouldn’t go down easy.

First, Zimmer got Vancouver on the board with a deft redirection from the side of the net, following a great backhand pass from Sam Honzek.

ZIMMER 👿#GiantNewEra https://t.co/RWwGQyL36H pic.twitter.com/oHjE0bl9uc

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) January 29, 2024

Then, with the goaltender out for the extra attacker, Levis backhanded in a rebound over the outstretched pad of Braden Holt to tie the game 2-2 with exactly one minute remaining in regulation.

The goal that took us to the OT 👿

Connor Levis at it again!#GiantNewEra | #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/pfGgo8CKRD

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) January 29, 2024

Though the Giants were able to force overtime, Pasternak ended the game just 15 seconds into the 3-on-3, after he came down the right wing and went top corner to give Victoria the win.

THEY SAID IT

“Just resilient effort tonight, to come back to find a way to get a point. Three-in-threes are not just physically draining, but mentally and I thought our guys stuck with it for the most part tonight. The way they responded overall this weekend. Obviously we would have loved to get another two tonight, but getting the point, at the end of the way, like you said, it’s a good weekend, good three-in-three…Both teams looked a little tired tonight. The pace I don’t think was there overall, but it was tight. It was a pretty tight checking game. Both teams weren’t giving up much. One of those games where we find a way on the road to get a point tonight.” – Associate Coach Adam Maglio on the game and weekend overall

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STATISTICS

SOG: VAN — 9/8/15 = 32 | VIC – 10/6/9/1 = 26
PP: VAN — 0/4 | VIC — 0/5
Face-Offs: VAN — 42 | VIC — 35

3 STARS

1st: VIC – Tyson Laventure – 1G, 3 SOG
2nd: VIC – Braden Holt – 30 Saves on 32 Shots
3rd: VIC – Teydon Tremebcky – 1G, 2 SOG

GOALTENDING BATTLE

Vancouver: Loss – Brett Mirwald (23 saves / 26 shots)
Victoria: WIN – Braden Holt (30 saves / 32 shots

NEXT GAME:

The Giants play two home games next weekend: on Friday, Feb. 2 against Prince George and Saturday, Feb. 3 against Everett. CLICK FOR TICKETS