fraser valley rush scoring with fans - 19 May 2022

Story by Steve Erickson

While hockey is winding down given that the Canucks, the Giants as well as both junior leagues women’s hockey is alive and well.  For starters from our perspective it’s great to see women’s sports continue to grow probably due to the fact that my daughter played women’s hockey in North Delta dating back to 1977 that seemed to be the start for the women’s program.  Locally we have an impressive group of young ladies playing on the Fraser Valley Rush are currently playing in Okotoks Alberta for the Esso Cup at the Pason Centennial Arena with all games being played in Mountain Zone Time.  The facility was built in 2006, this 1,500 seat, 2,000 person capacity arena is one of the premier facilities in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.    It is surrounded by a full 2 lane walking & running track, Pason Centennial Arena is also home to Okotoks Minor Hockey, Okotoks Lacrosse, and special events held in Okotoks throughout the year.    

The Fraser Valley Rush Female are a U18AAA team and a member of BC Hockey Female U18AAA League, which is the top female U18 players in British Columbia.  Putting any team together isn’t an easy task and while under the guidance of GM Al Wozney, Head Coach Tony Lindsay and Assistant’s Tony Wong, Marilyne Cloutier, Shayne Green, Nicole Wong, Kelly Leroux and others this group was built for winning!!  Winning their local championship was followed up by a three game series against the Edmonton Panda’s, which they not only defeated, but outplayed their opponents from Alberta.  The game featured exceptional end to end fast paced action by players of both teams, but in the end one team would prevail and that was the Rush.  They made their trip which given the cost for gas one might say that they clearly paid their dividends representing British Columbia.  The event started May 16th with their first game against Remparts de Richelieu that saw them pull out a 4-1 win outshooting their opponents 55-21 with both teams unable to capitalize on any PP while New Westminster’s Clara Juca was rewarded with the win.  Winning builds confidence and while it’s true that a team can get over confident the coaching staff were making sure that this would not happen.  Their second game was played the following evening at 6:30 pm against the Notre Dame Hounds in a game that would remain scoreless through the first two periods.  The third saw aggressive play continue but it was the Rush that got on the scoreboard that saw Vienna Rubin break the scoreless draw at 12:13 forcing the Hounds to pressure the Rush.  As much as they tried, they were unable to get quality shots while being kept to the outside with the Hounds pulling their “tender” in the late stages of the period.  With the net empty and the puck getting free it was Aynsley D’Ottavio who jumped on the loose puck sending it in the open net that saw the Rush pull out the 2-0 win.  This game saw a change in “tenders” as North Delta’s Rebecca Noble was between the pipes giving her the shutout 2-0 win that saw the Rush outshot the Hounds by an impressive 35-24 margin.  A pair of wins in their first two games and with confidence on their side the competition would only get stronger, but the  young ladies were up for it.  Game three would be a mid-day game at 2 pm (MT) against Saskatchewan’s Prince Albert Bears which would prove to be a hard fought game   

Sportswave wishes the Rush all the best moving forward and are thrilled to have Tiffany Luke on hand as our official photographer. 

Story by Steve Erickson

With hockey slowly winding down in the lower mainland the Vancouver Giants took their game to new heights shocking many in the area by making the 2022 WHL playoffs  Many counted them out given the fact that their season came down to the wire sneaking their way in that saw them face Everett in the first round having one win in their last dozen games by one point.  As with each game the Giants have a “special friend” to turn the siren and in this game it was Alumni Garet Hunt who played with the G-men from 2004-08 and on the winning Giants Memorial Cup team in 2007.  With no pro hockey in the area and the Whitecaps playing the previous day in a match that ended in a draw it was no surprise that members of the media were on hand.  Garet Hunt, Vancouver Giants’ alumni, Mr. Justin Okines, Tasmania, Austrailia on the job for Global TV.

Let’s not forget that Everett finished first with a record of 45-13-5 with 100 points while the Giants finished with a record of 24-39-5 for 53 points with both playing 68 games.  They shocked their rivals south of the 49h advancing to the second round facing the Blazers who finished one point behind their first round opponents with 99 points.  Playing games one and two were going to be a challenge for the team but they were focused under solid coaching of Michael Dyck and Keith McCambridge returning home to regroup.  Blazers crashing the net Vikman alone Blazers first goal Setting their sights on getting back in the series was not only winning, but proving to their loyal fan base that they are worth the price of admission, which they did.  They pulled out an impressive win in game three getting back in the series but dropped game four with the Blazers getting more chances pulling out the win.  Moving on to game five in Kamloops would be a challenge for the squad but they simply outplayed, out hustled the Blazers while playing a more disciplined game.  Returning home for game six would be one they would soon want to forget considering they never managed to get their first shot on goal until the nine minute mark.  The Blazers were the better team from the opening face-off breaking down the “D” of the Giants that saw Fraser Minten getting his 5th of the playoffs at 6:06 which also proved to be the game winner while playing shorthanded.  From this point the Giants never managed to climb out of the cellar with Kamloops taking a 2-0 lead on a goal by Toporowski at 10:27 despite being outshot 12-10 through 20 minutes.  The Giants came back out to start the second, but were never able to dig themselves out of the hole they were in only to have Daylan Kaefer put them up 3-0.  While the Giants were trying to rally the troops the Blazers got their fourth of the game a short 1:04 later that saw them control the remainder of the second holding a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes outshooting the Giants 25-16.  As if the crowd wasn’t silenced enough the Blazers came out in the start of the third the way they ended the second getting their fifth of the game at 1;05 with Toporowski getting his 9th of the playoffs while on another PP.  With the game counting down it was Giants Damian Palmieri tangle with Blazers Drew Englot who at first had the upper hand, but it was Palmieri who finished the altercation in fine fashion.

Try as they might the score proved too much for the Giants to overcome that saw the Blazers get their 6th of the game at 12:30 to seal the win for the Blazers as if five wasn’t enough.  Game six saw 4,310 fans on hand with followers from both teams, more supporting the Giants in what proved to be their final game of the season.  As with any sporting event we cover, I have the chance to chat with many fans who are always gracious and one such fan was Giants Captain, Zack Ostapchuk’s Mother Charlene La Rose Ostapchuk who brought her cheering section to all games.  While Zack was selected by OTT (2021) Round: 2 (#39), his Mother Charlene along with family and friends were solid supporters for all games and like others are sad the series ended.   Following the game Giants bench boss Michael Dyck told the media “Anytime you give up a short-handed goal, it is a dagger. I think we continued to play but I think we just ran out of gas.”  He mentioned “For the older guys, I am just glad they got to experience something like this. Nobody has really had any playoff experience and for the younger guys, this is gold: to learn how hard it is to win. You can talk about it, you can show videos from the NHL playoffs, but until you experience it, you really don’t know for sure.”  Kamloops outshot the Giants 36-24 and went 2-6 on the PP, while the Giants went 0-3 on special teams which could have changed the outcome of the game and the series.

The win advances Kamloops to the Western Conference championship round against either Portland or Seattle.  On behalf of the Sportswave crew we want to personally thank Dan O’Connor and Bill Wilms for their assistance over the season and wish them the best moving forward.   To the Giants organization thanks for being a “first class” organization and being based in the City of Delta.

Story by Rocky Rhodes

Off season brings change for many pro organizations and while it’s hard to let someone go, in today’s world it’s the nature of the business.  Pro or con and whatever you may think some changes are all for the better of not just the team, but also the organization as well.  Given the fact that the Canucks have made it official by bringing Bruce Bourdreu back behind the bench, we are hearing that they have made other changes within the organization.  For those who are unfamiliar with movies, it’s interesting to know that Boudreau played a part in the 1977 movie Slap Shot which he commented “I was quite a ham” and the director [George Roy Hill] mentioned “We’re going to show how bad Charlestown is; the goalie is going to be getting a lot of shots; and so we’re probably going to have the camera on the net the whole time.  One has to ask if the Canucks are finished with changes, but some are under the impression that more will follow as they move forward.  I am hearing that Jon Sanderson, the Director of Medical Services and Head Athletic Therapist, Roger Takahashi Director of Strength and Conditioning along with Dave Zarn Assistant Athletic Therapist, who filled in as their part-time practice goalie are no longer with the organization.  

In light of the changes, it appears that the Canucks are wanting to make changes regarding how the players are treated for injuries and also how they focus on approaching a home or away game.  Takahashi joined the team moving in from Kamloops and took over from Peter Twist who runs Twist Conditioning   Sanderson has been with the Canucks since the 2000-01 season and took over as head Therapist in 2015-16 when Rick Celebrini replaced Mike Burnstein who is now with the Vancouver Giants as well as Hockey Canada as the U20 Trainer.  Zarn was previously with the Okanagan Hockey Academy as well as the now defunct Victoria Salmon Kings.  I am told that other changes have also been made with two additional  staff being released from their role of Athletic Therapist and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.  I hear that they were more recent additions to the team with one working with the Toronto Marlies as well as the Canadiens.The other individual was with the Utica Comets since 2014 then got the chance to work with the Canucks parent club.  Reportedly the Canucks have only two remaining on staff in the Canucks’ department of human performance.   Given the changes and the connection with Pittsburg will others be brought in from the Pen’s to fill the open spots or will they remain unfilled which can be a cost saving for the Canucks?  

One might think the Canucks are “MOVING ON UP FROM THE EASTSIDE” which was the theme of the TV Show -The Jeffersons!!.  This all considering that the connection with Pittsburgh to Canada is located south of Lake Erie and the Canadian Border.

Story by Steve Erickson

I am very pleased to officially announce and introduce Sportswave.ca newest addition to our team.  Tiffany Luke is a first class photographer who has played Women’s Hockey for the Fraser Valley Rush and was forced to step aside due to injuries.  She is a young professional photographer who wishes to excel in her career that will have Laird Allan teach and assist her to work to develop photography for various aspects of all sports.

She will be traveling to the 2022 Esso Cup in Okotoks Alberta to cover the event sending top quality photos for us to post on both Sportswave.ca as well as swhockey.ca  We are pleased to welcome Tiffany to the team and wish her all the best moving forward in her career, whatever field she might pursue.  Photo/camera history.  She had the opportunity to use her parents DSLR and got into amateur photography and in 2019 she focused on Sports photocopy and followed her team, “Fraser Valley Rush”   She has covered different levels of hockey and earlier this year (2002) she was covering the Vancouver Giants when she met us and the Sportswave.ca crew at a Vancouver Giants game.  

After a short conversation she joined the “team” and has covered the Giants and Vancouver Canadians to date.    She will be covering the Esso Cup under Sportswave Accreditation and will be sending her images back from the Tournament.  All of her photo’s will be given full credit listed under @TiffanyLukePhoto   

More than qualified!!

Public School  

Grades 1-4, York House School  

Grades 5-6, Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School  

Grades 7-12, York House School  

University  University of Toronto  Major – Psychology and neuroscience  

Minor – Biology  

Minor Hockey 

Vancouver Thunderbirds (co-ed), Atom 2012-2014

Vancouver Angels – Pee Wee, Bantam 2014-2018

Fraser Valley Rush – Midget – 2018-2020  

WELCOME TO THE TEAM!!

Story by Steve Erickson

Photo Credit by D. Laird Allan unless otherwise noted.

The G-men return home after dropping a pair of games against the Blazers in round two of the WHL playoffs and  are looking to get a win on home ice.  Playing in front of just over 3,000 fans, many who were cheering for the G-men with a few Blazer fans who made the three hour trip over the Coquihalla.  Some were under the impression that the game might be rough given the intensity level of play both teams had shown in game two, but the officials kept things under control.   Alex Kannok-Leipert Giants – 2016-2021 Tristen Nielsen Giants – 2018-2021 The end result saw the G-men pull out a 3-2 win and is the first time that the Blazers were on the losing end of the final score considering they had swept Spokane in four games outscoring them 23-3.  The Blazers finished the season with 99 points, one behind the Silvertips who the G-men sent golfing for an early summer.  It’s important to remember that the Blazers finished 46 points ahead of the Giant’s who were in eighth place who went 10-1-1 over 12 games this past season against the G-men.    Say what you will the G-men have put the skeptics on hold for the time being considering that many, even WHL scouts had counted them out past the first round, but were they wrong!!  Given the coaching the Giants have on staff, we are really surprised that they have made it to the second round so far, but not everyone is as skeptical as others.  Considering that the Blazers were holding a 2-0 series lead they controlled the first part of the opening period jumping out to a 5 shot lead keeping the Giants off the scoreboard.  That would soon change with the tempo becoming more intense as Manitoba’s Justin lies opened the scoring at 11:53 having the Blazers to regroup, which they did.  The Giants held the lead for the remainder of the first and it wasn’t until 9:45 of the second when Fraser Minten got the Blazers even about two seconds after the Giants penalty had just expired.  Anyone who has watched the Giants this year knows it’s never over until the final buzzer and as penalties can prove costly it was Ty Thorpe who restored the lead on a PP goal four minutes later putting the Giants up 2-1.   The Blazers got one of their own as Drew Englot pulled them even at 8:38 of the third after he redirected a point shot for a PP marker.   While of another PP with Blazer forward Connor Levi in the sin-bin for high sticking at 16:27 it was Giant’s Alex Cotton who collected his sixth of the playoffs and leads all WHL defencemen in scoring (6 goals and 16 points) tying him in third among all players.  If you were ever looking to be entertained it was in the last 3.7 seconds of this contest that saw a chaotic goal-mouth scramble in the Giants crease.    At this point there was shoving, pushing along with rough play in the crease area as well as at the side that took a while to sort out.  After a delay the  play went to video review for the referee’s to sort out with the help of the video review box and somehow Kamloops was unable to slide/push the puck across the goal line.  The review took a long time to sort out with the referee with the phone and his finger in his other ear so he could hear what was being told to him.  It did seem to take “forever” to sort out that had some asking why they use a telephone for the referee, while the NHL gave the officials a  “real headset” to use, which makes sense.  After a long extended review it was determined that the puck did not cross the goal line setting up the final face-off which was followed by extended pushing and shoving with penalties assessed by the officials.  

Following the game Giant’s bench boss Michael Dyck mentioned “It has been rolling like this for a couple of weeks now and even before that. We have been starting to build a lot of chemistry and a lot of belief in our group and I think they are just carrying it through.”.  He continued “(Belief) is everything. Without that, it is basically the paint on the target. Unless you have that vision, that belief, you don’t really have anything to play for and we knew we were getting a good two-way defenceman with obviously a lot of offensive upside; he is really bringing it in the playoffs right now.”  Game notes  Final shots were 36-32 for Kamloops   Giants Jesper Vikman was named game’s first star while Blazers Dylan Garand made 29 saves  

Game four is Thursday in Langley with game five to be played in Kamloops on Friday (May 13), possibly an unlucky day for the Blazers.   Game six if necessary would be back at Langley Events Centre, Sunday May 15 with the puck drop scheduled for a 4:00 pm start time.

Story by Steve Erickson

From day to day we receive several e-mails that let us know about their sport as well as various individuals, teams or organizations, all of which are appreciated.  I are wanting to pass on our congratulations to Tim Speltz on being named as the WHL Governor Award.  Enjoy the read and thanks to the WHL for the press release!!  The Western Hockey League announced today, on behalf of the WHL Board of Governors, that Tim Speltz, former General Manager and Governor of the Spokane Chiefs, has been named this year’s recipient of the WHL Governors Award.   The WHL Governors Award is the highest honour the WHL bestows on an individual who has been associated with the League.   The WHL Governors Award is presented annually to an individual who, through their outstanding hockey and overall contributions to the game, has impacted on the growth and development of the WHL. 

 “I am extremely proud to receive this special recognition from the Western Hockey League,” Speltz said. “It is very humbling to be included on this distinguished list with the previous recipients and it is difficult to put into words what this award means to me. I have always considered it a privilege and an honour to be involved in such a great League.  “I would like to thank my wife Lynn and my daughters Jenna and Hannah for their unwavering support of me and my hockey career.   Thank you to the Governors and leaders of the WHL for the nomination and this recognition.   Thank you to all of the Spokane Chiefs staff members over the years, especially two longtime co-workers Brenda Nelson and Mark Miles.  “Finally, thank you to Bobby Brett and the Brett family for the opportunity and guidance over my 26 years in Spokane. I will always cherish my time with the Chiefs organization and the Western Hockey League.”  Following 26 seasons as the General Manager of the Spokane Chiefs, Speltz advanced to the National Hockey League, joining the Toronto Maple Leafs as the Club’s Director of Western Area Scouting beginning with the 2016-17 season.   In 2018-19, Speltz was promoted and served as the Maple Leaf’s Head of Amateur Scouting for three seasons before being named General Manager of the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights on August 31, 2021.   “Tim has become one of the most respected individuals in all of hockey,” said Bobby Brett, Owner and Managing Partner of the Chiefs. “His leadership has helped numerous coaches, players, and staff become better at their positions, whether that is in the game or personal lives.  He helped take the Chiefs to a new level and turned the franchise into one of the top teams and businesses in the CHL.   The WHL is better for having Tim involved and he has helped the WHL become the top junior league in the world. I’m proud to call Tim a friend and partner with the Chiefs, and no one deserves this award more than Tim Speltz.”  The Chiefs experienced great success with Speltz at the helm as the Club’s architect, including two WHL Championships (1991, 2008) and two Memorial Cup titles (1991, 2008).   On two occasions, he was recognized with the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL Executive of the Year (1995-96, 1999-00).   The Chiefs won 961 regular season games under the direction of Speltz, adding another 142 playoff victories as they qualified for the WHL Playoffs in 23 of 26 of his seasons leading the Club.   “Tim Speltz was one of the most respected General Managers in WHL history,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Tim was instrumental in building the Spokane Chiefs into a model WHL franchise while being a major contributor on many of the WHL’s key hockey committees.   On behalf of the WHL Board of Governors and all of your colleagues and friends around the League, congratulations on being a most deserving recipient of this prestigious honour.”  With great success on the ice came great success in developing players for advancement to the NHL. During Speltz’s time as General Manager in Spokane, a total of 63 Chiefs had their name called in the NHL Draft, five of whom were selected during the first round.   Arguably two of the greatest players to emerge from the Speltz era in Spokane were forward Tyler Johnson and defenceman Jared Spurgeon.   

From 2007-08 through 2010-11, Johnson registered 282 points (128G-154A) in 266 career WHL regular season games, and was named WHL Playoffs MVP as a member of the Chiefs 2008 WHL Championship and Memorial Cup-winning team. Johnson, a native Spokane, was passed over in the NHL Draft before being signed to an entry-level contract by the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 7, 2011.   Since making his NHL debut in 2013, Johnson has skated in 615 career NHL regular season games over 10 seasons with the Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks. He helped the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.  

From 2005-06 through 2009-10, Spurgeon recorded 170 points (37G-133A) in 266 career WHL regular season games, helping the Chiefs claim the WHL Championship and Memorial Cup in 2008. A product of Edmonton, Alta.,   Spurgeon was selected by the New York Islanders in the sixth round (156th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft, but went unsigned by the club.   In September 2010, the two-way defenceman turned an amateur tryout agreement with the Minnesota Wild into an entry-level contract. Since making his NHL debut on November 29, 2010,   Spurgeon has appeared in 772 career NHL regular season games. Most recently, he was named captain of the Wild on January 3, 2021.     E-mail: sportswave@dccnet.com 

Prior to his 26-year run with the Chiefs, Speltz served for two years as General Manager of the Medicine Hat Tigers (1988-90).  On the international stage, he was a part of the management group for Hockey Canada at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and he also played a role in Hockey Canada’s management group for the National Junior Team program.  

Recipients of the WHL Governors Award:  

2020-21: Yvonne Bergmann 

2019-20: Sheldon Kennedy  

2018-19: Ken King  

2017-18: Rick Brodsky  

2016-17: Ed Chynoweth  

2015-16: Lanny McDonald  

2014-15: Russ Parker  

2013-14: Jack Brodsky 

2012-13: Jim Donlevy  

2011-12: Ben Wiebe  

2010-11: Terry Simpson  

2009-10: Ken Hodge  

2008-09: Bob Brown  

2007-08: Bill Hunter, Scotty Munro, Jim Piggott  

2006-07: Bob Cornell  

2005-06: Jack McLeod  

2004-05: Pat Ginnell, Ernie McLean, Bill Hicke, Del Wilson  

Story by Steve Erickson

Photo Credits - D. Laird Allan/Sportswave

To the shock of some the Vancouver Giants have eliminated the Everett Silvertips in six games in the first round of the playoffs.  Vancouver finished the season with 53 points sitting in eighth place (24-39-5) while Everett (45-13-5) finished the season in first place with 100 points.  Pressure was on the Giants who were focused on making this a series eliminating the Silvertips who possibly took the series somewhat lax.  Points means nothing when it comes to playoff action as the Giants returned home holding a 3-2 series lead.  Pressure was again on the Giants who knew that game six could possibly be their final home game of the season if they allowed Everett back in the series with a win.   

This was the first time since the expansion of the WHL to 16 teams in any postseason play that the eighth-seed eliminated a No. 1 seed pulling out a 6-3 win.  It’s interesting to know that the Giants won for the fourth time in six games in postseason play knowing that they managed only four victories over their final 21 regular season games.  Monday saw the Giants score  while on the PP that saw the 3322 fans cheer as Connor Horning scored 1:15 in the opening period.  The 3:15 mark of the first saw Alex Cotton put the Giants up by two (2-0) only to have Mazden Leslie give the home team G-men a 3-0 lead after twenty minutes of play.  Young fans are making noise already In house photographer According to some in the media box this was uncharastic for the Giants who had won only one of their last dozen games narrowly squeaking into the WHL playoffs.  Silvertip’s Ben Hemmerling got Everett on the board at 12:40 in the second only to have Giants captain Zack Ostapchuk give them the three-goal lead after 40 minutes.  Everett’s Ryan Hofer cut the lead in half (4-2) with the third coming to a close, while Giants Damian Palmieri and Adam Hall gave them the lead making it a 5-2 game.  The last part of the game did manage to get a “tad” rough, but the officials kept the game under control while the Giants rounded out the score of 6-3 to eliminate Everett.  The win allows the Giants to advance to round two taking on the Kamloops Blazers with game one and two to be played May 6th and 7th in Kamloops.

After the game Giant’s Head Coach Michael Dyck told the few media members “I think that we always knew we were capable of some pretty special things; it was just a matter of things falling in line. There were so many points during the season where you wondered if that was ever going to happen  and big credit to them (players).”  He continued “We got the start we wanted. Obviously, we wanted to get them on their heels and what a great way to do that. The first five minutes we made a push and never looked back.”  I had the chance to sit in the box next to the Ostapchuk family who were elated with his overall performance he had.   He finished with one goal, four assists while Swedish born player Fabian Lysell finished with four assists to the delight of his Father.  Henrik Lysell, #11 Fabian Lysell’s dad in the Media Room prior to the game.  He is here to follow his son’s path in this playoff run, now extends his trip. Giants’ #11 Fabien Lysell Fabian’s Dad, Henrik had  flown in from Sweden to watch his son play and wasn’t disappointed who was on the phone with his wife after the game outside the media lounge.  The pair along with linemate Adam Hall finished six games with a combined 14 goals and an overall 42 points.   He (Ostapchuk) was named WHL Player of the Week earlier in the day and led the three with 3 goals and 13 assists.  Lysell finished with 4 goals and 11 assists compared to seven goals and three assists for Hall.  Following the game Captain Ostapchuk mentioned “Very proud of every guy in that room. Everybody brought everything that they had all series long and it helped us. Solid team effort, game after game.”   He continued “I really think we just had to play a team game … you have to stick together and play the right way or else they are going to get you.”  Linesmen earning their keep. Ostapchuk on the wall. It is interesting to note that the “D” helped with additional scoring combining with 10 goals, four that were game clinching goals.   The Giants PP scored on 12 of 32 chances (37.5 per cent), which saw them score on a man-advantage goal in every game.  Regular season saw the Giants PP finish at 17.7 %, which was ranked overall 18th in the league of all 22 teams.  Ostapchuk also mentioned “We are moving the puck around really quickly and finally starting to shoot, which I don’t think we did (enough) in the regular season. We are getting pucks on net, crashing the net, stuff like that and really tightened things up,”   Bench boss Michael Dyck went on to add “The power play) gave us a lot of momentum. I think we got connected. Momentum and confidence are a funny thing. It is not like we are reinventing the wheel here, we just got guys in the right spot.”   For those taking in the game; one could sense that Jesper Vikman continued to get better playing in five of the six games.   He finished the series with a 3.69 GAA and a SV% of .886 after returning from a groin injury March 4th.  “We knew he was just going to get better and better every game and credit to him; he put a lot of work in to get back to this spot,” Dyck said, adding that the team felt he may have been done for the season.  The goalies always stick together, win or lose.  The final two games saw him (Vikman) make 50 saves in a 3-0 shutout win in game five followed by stopping 22 of 25 shots in game six; finishing with a SV% of .960 in the final 120 minutes.   

The Giants advance to face the Blazers in Western Conference semi-final best-of-seven series with game one and two played May 6th and 7th.   The Blazers finished the regular season play (48-17-3-0) good for 99 points after sweeping the Spokane Chiefs in four-games.  The Giants host games three and four May 10 and 12 and if needed game five would be played May 13th.   Game six would be played May 15, while game seven scheduled to be played May 17 with games 5 and 7 played in Kamloops while game 6  would be played in Langley.  

Story by Steve Erickson

The season for the WHL Vancouver Giants has been a roller coaster ride filled with injuries, roster changes as well as fighting Covid issues related to the entire league  They managed to shock many by making the playoffs that saw them face Everett in a best of seven series.  To the surprise of some they pulled out a SO win in game one, but managed to drop game two before returning to home ice at the Langley Events Centre.  The game saw the “Tip’s” shock everyone in the building taking a 3-0 lead to the dressing room after one and never being able to recover from this deficit.  Try as they might they were only able to manage two goals on the night letting the squad from south of the 49th steal a 6-2 win in game three.

Game four would be a turn around with 3112 fans on hand cheering for the hometown boys with both teams wanting the early lead.  In this game it was Everett who took a 3-1 lead to the dressing room after one, but the second was far different from the first, which according to Laird was hard to explain  He mentions.the Giants managed a new single-game playoff record 11 goals in the 11-6 victory over the Everett Silvertips.  Captain Zack Ostapchuk matched a single-game franchise playoff record with six points (2G, 4A) while five other Giants recorded at least two points.   Jacob Wright responded with three of Everett’s six goals in a game where 15 different Giant skaters recorded at least one point.   Jesper Vikman was solid making 24 saves to secure the victory while the tandem of Koen MacInnes and Braden Holt combined for 19 saves for Everett.  Silvertips’ Braden Holt (2003), Bozeman, Montana 9/13 saves. Vikman makes the save in a mad scramble Game Four  Friday saw the Giants host Everett in game four of the best of seven series that was best described as one of the strangest games ever played by the Giants.  The game was played in front of 3112 fans with Everet holding a 2-1 series lead with both teams coming out hard in the opening period with Everett taking a 3-1 lead after one.  

The second was when things changed for both teams with the fans getting their money’s worth,, which was one of the strangest games according to various  media members.  Realistically speaking there was no defensive play, lack of solid goaltending, no discipline, but there were lots of turnovers, foolish undisciplined penalties – but there were lots of goals.  This game saw the Giants break a team playoff record scoring 11 goals while allowing Everett to get six of their own.   The following is from Giants play by play person Dan O’Connor  1st Period:  VAN – The Vancouver Giants took their first lead of the series at 3:18 of the opening frame. Adam Hall parked himself in the slot, and tipped home his team-leading fifth goal off an Ales Cotton point shot. Zack Ostapchuk had the second assist.  EVT – Jacob Wright tied the game for Everett at 5:11 on a two-on-one rush. Niko Huuhtanen started the rush during four-on-four play, and found Wright for his third of the series.  EVT – Wright wasn’t done. He finished off a tic-tac-toe power play goal off the rush for Everett at 8:30. The assists on the play were credited to Olen Zellweger and Ben Hemmerling.  EVT – Ryan Hofer then got in on the act for Everett at 11:16 when he knocked home his own rebound from the right side of the Everett goal. Hofer’s goal also came as a result of a power play with Ronan Seeley and Jacob Wright assisting.  VAN – Late in the period the Giants got a power play goal of their own from captain Zack Ostapchuk who followed up a Ty Thorpe rebound and tucked home his first goal of the series.  The goal came at 16:15.   Shots: 10-9 Vancouver   2nd Period:  VAN – 1:03 into the second period Ty Thorpe took a breakaway feed from Connor Horning and made no mistake. Thorpe’s first goal of the series tied the score at 3-3.  VAN – Then at exactly 5:00 of the middle frame, Alex Cotton’s one-timer from the left point made its way through Braden Holt and home.   Cotton’s second of the series was set up by Jaden Lipinski and Brenden Pentecost.  *Everett goaltender Braden Holt was removed in favour of Koen MacInnes.  EVT – Everett tied the score at 4-4 at 9:48 when Hunter Campbell crashed the net, and got his stick on a loose puck that was sitting uncovered in the blue paint.   Campbell’s first goal of the series was set up by Caden Zaplitny and Aidan Sutter.  VAN – The Giants took their third lead of the night at 13:32 when Alex Cotton (once again) fired a one-timer from the left-wing point that snuck its way home.   Connor Horning and Zack Ostapchuk both assisted.  VAN – Fabian Lysell (2) then gave the Giants a two-goal lead at 15:47 when he took a pass from Zack Ostapchuk, raced down the left-wing on a two-on-one and roofed a shot over the glove of Koen MacInnes to make it a 6-4 score.  Shots: 9-8 Vancouver   3rd Period:  EVT – 12 seconds into the final period, Jacob Wright (5) notched his third goal of the night off a Ryan Hofer feed to make it a 6-5 game.  EVT – Olen Zellweger then tied the score at 6-6 at 2:49 off a one-timer from the right-wing. Matthew Ng had the lone assist.  VAN – The game-winning goal came shortly thereafter at 5:55 from captain Zack Ostapchuk. The Giants captain parked himself in front of the Everett goal and redirected home an Alex Cotton shot for his second of the night. The second assist came from Connor Horning.  VAN – 45 seconds later at 6:40, Colton Langkow deflected a Mazden Leslie point shot past Koen MacInnes for his second of the series. Justin Lies supplied the second assist.  VAN – At 9:27 Fabian Lysell notched his second goal of the night on a backhand deke in close. Nicco Camazzola and Zack Ostapchuk both helped set it up. 

VAN – The Giants then set a new single-game franchise record with their 10th goal of the night at 14:14. It came off an Evan Toth point shot. Adam Hall had the lone assist.  VAN – The game’s final goal came at 19:46 on a power play courtesy of Kyle Bochek. For Bochek it marked his first career WHL goal and was set up by Julian Cull.  Shots: 13-11 Everett,   Vancouver Power Play: 4/7,   Everett Power Play: 2/6  

GAME SUMMARY  Final Shots: 30-30  Jesper Vikman: 24/30 saves for Vancouver  Braden Holt: 9/13 saves for Everett  Koen MacInnes: 10/17 saves for Everett