Giants Set For U.S. Division Rivals
The Vancouver Giants are set for two games this weekend vs. U.S. division teams. On Friday night they play host to the Seattle Thunderbirds and Saturday night they make the trip to Kennewick, Washington to take on Tri-City Americans.
Friday night is ‘Date Night’ at the Pacific Coliseum. A trip for 2 to Hawaii will be given away to one lucky fan. The action on the ice will see the Giants (4-3-0-1) take on the Seattle Thunderbirds (1-3-0-0) for this first time this season. Vancouver looks to remain unbeaten in regulation on home ice (4-0-0-1). The Thunderbirds have gone through a few changes this off season, the biggest behind the bench. Former NHLer and one time Portland Winterhawks standout Steve Konowalchuk is the club’s new head coach. He played 790 career games in the NHL with Washington and Colorado and spent the last two seasons as the Avalanche’s assistant coach. One thing that hasn’t changed is Seattle is the biggest team in the WHL averaging 6’1, 198 lbs and they feature Calvin Pickard in net. The 19 year old from Winnipeg is in his 4th year with the club. He has played 181 career games with the Thunderbirds posting a record of 67-86-11-14. Vancouver was 2-1-0-1 vs. the Thunderbirds last season.
The following night the Giants are in Kennewick, Washington and will get their first crack at the Tri-City Americans (6-2-0-0), who knocked them out of the playoffs for a second straight year last spring. The Americans swept the Giants in the first round of last year’s post season and also took 3 of 4 games in the regular season against Vancouver. The Americans feature one of the best 20 year old groups in the league; Brendan Shinnimin, Adam Hughesman, and Mason Wilgosh. The 3 Winnipeg products have combined for 9 goals, 21 assists, and 30 points this season. The Giants have just 7 wins in 27 all-time games at the Toyota Center.
