Division Rival Weekend
The second weekend of the season sees the Vancouver Giants hit the road to take on a pair of division rivals. On Friday night the Giants will be in Don Hay’s old stomping grounds, as his club take’s on the Kamloops Blazers. The Blazers have played just one game so far this season, losing 1-0 to the Prince George Cougars September 24. The Blazers feature 20 year old captain Chase Schaber, Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick Austin Madaisky, and rookie Matt Needham. They will be without last year’s leading scorer Brendan Ranford, who still has 2 games to serve on his 6 game suspension he received late last season. Vancouver was 5-2-1-0 vs. the Blazers last year.
On Saturday, the Giants take on the defending B.C. division champions from Kelowna. The Rockets are 1-0 on the season after a 5-4 shootout victory over the Everett Silvertips. Saturday will mark the Giant’s fifth game of the season, while it will only be the Rockets second game of the year. The Rockets boast a deep team featuring the likes of New York Rangers draft pick Shane McColgan, 17 year old North Vancouver product Colton Sissons, and recently acquired blueliner Myles Bell. Kelowna is still without 19 year old forward Brett Bulmer, who remains at Minnesota Wild camp. The Giants are seeking a little revenge on the Rockets, who had their number last year; Kelowna was 5-3-0-0 vs. Vancouver.
