GAME RECAP: Giants take Game One of Western Conference Quarterfinal 6-4
EVERETT, Wash. — The Vancouver Giants upset the Everett Silvertips in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinal, taking a 6-4 score at Angel of the Winds Arena Friday night.
Vancouver’s Cameron Schmidt opened up the scoring 43 seconds into the first period with a breakaway goal, his first career playoff tally. Kyren Gronick added a powerplay goal 13:32 into the period for Vancouver, his first career playoff goal in his third postseason. The Silvertips answered right back seconds later as Ben Hemmerling netted an unassisted goal at 13:47 to get the Silvertips on the board.
Hemmerling converted on a short handed wrap-around goal at 17:28 for his third career playoff goal to tie the game at 2-2.
Schmidt netted his second of the night at 18:03 in the first period, beating Tyler Palmer with a wrist shot on a 5-on-3 powerplay. Ty Halaburda restored Vancouver’s two-goal lead just 14 seconds later with his first career playoff tally as the Giants improved to 3-for-3 on the powerplay. The goal chased Palmer from the crease in favor of Ethan Chadwick and the Giants led 4-2 after one period despite being outshot 16-11.
Kaden Hammell brought the Tips back within one with a powerplay goal at 4:31 in the second period, taking advantage of a Carter Bear screen for his first career playoff goal.
Vancouver tacked on two empty netters late in the third from Logen Hammett and Samual Honzek respectively to extend the lead. An Everett buzzer-beater by Niko Tsakumis sealed a 6-4 final for the Giants. The Silvertips concluded the game 1-for-5 on the powerplay.
Brett Mirwald stopped 38 of 42 in the win. Ethan Chadwick finished the game 12-for-12 in relief.
Article by Cydnee Kahler
