RECAP: Hood's 38 Saves Propel Giants Past Wild 2-1

RECAP: Hood’s 38 Saves Propel Giants Past Wild 2-1

Category: ArticleJanuary 10, 2026

LANGLEY, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants held off the Wenatchee Wild 2-1 on Saturday night thanks to 38 saves from New York Islanders draft pick Burke Hood and goals from Langley products Kaleb Hartmann and Jakob Oreskovic.

The Giants improve to 18-22-1-1 following the win, while the Wild drop to 15-23-1-1.

CLICK FOR STANDINGS

Hartmann scored his first goal in a Giants uniform and third of the season, while Oreskovic (who was celebrating his 19th birthday) got the game-winner early in the second shorthanded, burying his ninth goal of the season. With the win, Hood now holds an 8-3-1 record over his last 13 appearances with a .907 save percentage.

Levi Benson scored the lone Wenatchee goal.

CLICK FOR THE OFFICIAL WHL BOXSCORE

GAME SUMMARY

The Giants opened the scoring on a one-time blast from Hartmann just over five minutes in.

Kaleb Hartmann fires in his first goal as a Giant and opens up scoring!! 🔥🔥🔥 assists to Tomik and Preston! pic.twitter.com/rIk7ABb3Ff

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) January 11, 2026

Benson tied the game several minutes later on an odd-man rush that gave him a clear path to the net, where he finished with a deke to the backhand.

A few minutes later, Wild defenceman Brandon Osbourne was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for kneeing Giants forward Mathis Preston, who was forced to leave the game.

Less than three minutes into the third period, Oreskovic got the Giants back in front with a great individual effort while shorthanded, driving down the left wing and taking the puck to the net, before roofing it to make the score 2-1.

BIRTHDAY BOY ORESKOVIC MAKES IT 2-1 WITH A SHORTY😤🔥🥳 pic.twitter.com/dyxiwGcebe

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) January 11, 2026

Wenatchee through everything but the kitchen sink at the Giants net in the third, outshooting Vancouver 19-2, but Hood was perfect, helping the Giants to their second straight win.

STATISTICS

SOG: VAN —8/10/2 = 20 | WEN – 8/12/19 = 39
PP: VAN—0/2 | WEN — 0/2
Face-Offs: VAN — 26 | WEN —32

3 STARS

1st: VAN – Burke Hood – 38 Saves on 39 Shots
2nd: VAN – Jakob Oreskovic – GWG, 2 SOG, +1
3rd: WEN –– Luka Shcherbyna – 7 SOG

GOALTENDING BATTLE

Vancouver: WIN – Burke Hood (38 saves / 39 shots)
Wenatchee: LOSS – Cal Conway (18 saves / 20 shots)

UPCOMING

The Giants wrap up the weekend on Sunday in Wenatchee.

Date	Opponent	Location	Time
Sunday, January 11	Wenatchee	Town Toyota Center	4:00 PM
Friday, January 16	Penticton	Langley Events Centre	7:00 PM
Saturday, January 17	Everett	Angel of the Winds Arena	6:00 PM
Sunday, January 18	Prince George	Langley Events Centre	4:00 PM

Stream all Giants games for free on Victory+.