Kelowna Doubles Up Vancouver 6-3
The Vancouver Giants suffered their 4th straight loss to the Kelowna Rockets, losing 6-3, and falling to 2nd in the B.C. division. Special teams was the difference as Kelowna scored three power play goals and one shorthanded goal. The Rockets and Giants are now tied with 67 points, but Kelowna has two more wins and a game in hand.
With an early power play the Giants looked to take advantage, but it was the Rockets that would do so as Evan Bloodoff scored a shorthanded goal just over 3 minutes into the game. Bloodoff would get his second of the night five minutes later on the power play to give the home team a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes of play.
Vancouver finally got on the board 8:50 into the second period courtesy of David Musil. He scored his 5th of the year. The Rockets would restore their two goal lead before the period was out to go up 3-1 after 40 minutes.
It didn’t take long for the Rockets to make it a 4-1 game in the third. Spencer Main scored 2:38 in. The Giants though wouldn’t quit as Dalton Sward scored his 10th of the year and Michael Burns buried his 12th of the season to get Vancouver within one with just over eight minutes remaining. Unfortunately Andrej Stastny took an elbowing penalty and then Spencer Bennett took a double minor for high sticking, giving the Rockets a 5-3 and they would convert. In fact they would score two goals with the man advantage to round out the scoring and defeat the Giants 6-3. Kelowna finished the night 3-for-7 on the power play, while Vancouver was 0-for-3. Mark Segal made 27 saves in a losing cause.
The Giants are back in action next Friday when they play host to the Chilliwack Bruins. It is the first of three games in three nights. Next Friday is also the final Giant Alumni Night of the season. 2007 Memorial Cup MVP Milan Lucic will be honoured. The first 500 fans will receive a Milan Lucic bobblehead doll and he will be added to the Ring of Honour. Game time is 7:30pm. The pregame show begins at 7:00pm on AM 650.
Audio – Post game comments from Giants Assistant Coach Chad Scharff (mp3)
