Thrower Lifts Giants Over Cougars in OT

Dalton Thrower scored the winning goal at 3:13 of overtime as the Vancouver Giants won their third straight, edging the Prince George Cougars 3-2 at the CN Centre on Wednesday night. Jared Rathjen made 34 saves for Vancouver and was named the game's first star while the G-Men also got goals from Trent Lofthouse and Jackson Houck.

The Cougars found the net first in the opening frame when Sam Ruopp's wrist shot from the right point beat Rathjen through traffic. Lofthouse tied the game for Vancouver before the end of the stanza when he walked into the slot right off an attacking zone face-off and made a nice move to slide the puck into the Prince George net.

Houck gave Vancouver the lead in the second when he threw a puck on net from the right boards and it snuck past Prince George goalie Brett Zarowny. The goal marked Houck's team leading seventh of the season. Rathjen was called upon to make a couple of big saves late in the period, but he stopped both Troy Bourke and David Soltes from in close to keep the Giants ahead.

Vancouver played a strong third period and held the Cougars off the board until the final minute when Zarowny was summoned to the bench for an extra attacker. Moments later, Zach Pochiro found a loose puck at the side of the net and chipped it to Soltes who knocked the puck across the goal line to send the game to overtime.

Each team only had one shot on goal in OT, and Thrower won the game for Vancouver when he walked down the right wing and wired a slap shot into the top left corner of the net to win the game for the G-Men.

The Giants will now return home for a Friday night meeting with the Spokane Chiefs. The face-off is set for 7:30pm. For ticket information, call 604-4-GIANTS or visit vancouvergiants.com.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Jared Rathjen - Vancouver
2. Zach Pochiro - Prince George
3. David Soltes - Prince George

Pre-Game Report: Giants at Cougars

The Vancouver Giants (5-9-1-1) will go for a third straight win when they visit the Prince George Cougars (7-8-0-2) at the CN Centre on Wednesday night. It's the second meeting of the season and the second meeting in as many nights between the teams. Vancouver won 6-5 on Tuesday evening.

Jackson Houck netted the first Vancouver Giants hat-trick of the season in the Tuesday win. The 18-year-old Edmonton Oilers draft pick now sits tied for the team lead in goals with six, alongside Brett Kulak. The G-Men also got their first shorthanded goal of the year on Tuesday off the stick of Dalton Sward, and the victory marked the first time that the Vancouver club has managed to score six goals in a game.

The Cougars have now lost two straight but sit four points up on Vancouver in the standings. Prince George starter Ty Edmonds was pulled from Tuesday's loss after giving up five goals to the Giants on 24 shots. Prince George got five goals from five different scorers in the game against Vancouver including Chase Witala's team leading tenth of the season. Alex Forsberg also found the net. The former first overall pick has two goals in 16 games.

Where: CN Centre; Prince George, BC

When: 7:00pm (The Pre-Game Show starts at 6:30pm.)

Listen: TEAM 1410 or teamradio.ca.

Houck Scores Three in Win Over PG

Jackson Houck netted a hat-trick as the Vancouver Giants skated to a hard fought 6-5 victory over the Prince George Cougars at the CN Centre on Tuesday evening. Payton Lee made 21 saves to pick up his second straight victory while the G-Men also got goals from Dalton Sward, Brett Kulak and Cain Franson.

For the second straight game, Vancouver fell behind the eight-ball early as David Soltes opened the scoring for Prince George just 31 seconds into the contest. The Giants equalized when Sward scored his first of the year on a shorthanded break, and Houck put Vancouver ahead with a quick one-timer after a nice pass from Joel Hamilton from behind the net. Kulak made it 3-1 for the G-Men when he walked down the left wing and made a pretty deke into the slot before beating Cougars goalie Ty Edmonds short side. Prince George rallied in the late stages of the period and got two goals to tie the game. Marc McNulty netted a power play marker and Troy Bourke scored on a shorthanded breakaway to even the score.

The Giants retook the lead in the second period when Houck deflected Carter Popoff's centring pass into the Prince George net from the slot for his second of the game on the man advantage. Franson gave the G-Men a two goal lead with a smooth play to tuck a rebound past Edmonds after a point shot from Dalton Thrower, and Vancouver was up 5-3 through 40 minutes.

Houck completed his hat-trick in the first minute of the third period when Ty Ronning found him in front, and he just had to fire the puck into the yawning cage to give Vancouver a three goal advantage. The Cougars made it interesting late in the game when Alex Forsberg wired a wrister past Lee from the left circle. Chase Witala tied the game for Prince George in the final minute, and the Cougars put on a late push, but Lee shut the door to preserve the win for Vancouver.

The Giants and Cougars will go head-to-head again tomorrow night in Prince George. The puck drop is set for 7:00pm. Catch the call on TEAM 1410 and http://teamradio.ca beginning with the Pre-Game Show at 6:30pm.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Jackson Houck - Vancouver
2. Brett Kulak - Vancouver
3. Troy Bourke - Prince George

Pre-Game Report: Giants at Cougars

The Vancouver Giants (4-9-1-1) will play the first of two games in two days against the Prince George Cougars (7-7-0-2) on Tuesday night at the CN Centre. It's the first meeting of the season between the two division rivals. The Giants took the season series last year, winning five of eight match-ups against the Cougars.

The G-Men bumped a two game losing skid with a 4-1 win over the Kamloops Blazers on Sunday evening. With the victory, the Giants improved their divisional record to 3-1-0-0. Carter Popoff scored his fourth of the year in the win. The 18-year-old now leads the Giants in points with 14, followed closely by blue liner Brett Kulak who has posted five goals and eight assists. Goalie Payton Lee made 33 saves in the Sunday victory for Vancouver.

The Cougars have needed shootouts in both of their last two games which both came against the Calgary Hitmen. Prince George won 4-3 on Friday night before losing by the same score on Saturday. Prince George native Chase Witala has led the way offensively for the Cougars this year with nine goals. Meanwhile, special teams have given the Prince George club some trouble this year as they have the 22nd ranked power play and the 20th ranked penalty kill in the WHL.

Where: CN Centre; Prince George, BC

When: 7:00pm (The Pre-Game Show starts at 6:30pm.)

Listen: TEAM 1410 or teamradio.ca.

Benson to Make Giants Debut on November 16

The Vancouver Giants announced on Tuesday that first overall pick Tyler Benson will make his WHL debut against the Tri-City Americans at the Pacific Coliseum on November 16th. Benson, who was the Giants' top pick in this past summer's draft, scored 146 points in 33 games with the South Side Athletic Club last season -- an Alberta Major Bantam League scoring record.

Here's the press release from the Giants:

The Vancouver Giants announced today that their first overall pick in the 2013 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, Tyler Benson, will make his Western Hockey League debut at the Pacific Coliseum on Saturday November 16 against the Tri-City Americans.

"I'm excited to be able to play my first Western Hockey League game as a Giant," said Benson. "It's going to be a good experience for me, and it's exciting to know when I'm going to play so I can prepare for it."

The 15-year old forward is currently in Kelowna playing for the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy Under-18 Prep team. The POE U18 Prep team competes in both the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) and the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL).

Benson is currently leading his team in scoring in the NAPHL with 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) in 8 games played. In the CSSHL, Benson has also played 8 games in which he has 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists).

"We are all excited to see him in his first Western Hockey League game," said Giants' Majority Owner Ron Toigo. "It's always exciting when these special players get into their first game. Last year, we got a peek of Alec Baer and Jakob Stukel debut as 15-year olds, and Benson should be just as exciting as they were to watch."

The 5'11", 185lbs Edmonton native broke records in Bantam, registering 146 points (57 goals, 89 assists) in 33 games with the South Side Athletic Club Lions.

Tickets for the game can be purchased by phone at 604-4-GIANTS or online at VancouverGiants.com.

Zalitach Dealt to Moose Jaw

The Vancouver Giants made a trade on Monday afternoon, sending 17-year-old defenseman Reid Zalitach to the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for a 3rd round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft and a 4th round pick in the 2015 Bantam Draft. After the move, the G-Men now have eight defensemen on their roster. Zalitach was drafted by the Giants with the 38th overall pick in 2011. The Manitoba native appeared in 9 games with the G-Men to start the 2013-2014 season.

Here's the full release from the Giants:

The Vancouver Giants have traded defenceman Reid Zalitach to the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2015 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft and a third-round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.

The 17-year old Narol, Manitoba native played 54 games with the Giants over three seasons where he registered 7 assists and 18 penalty minutes.

"Reid is a great kid who deserves an opportunity to be a regular," said Giants' Executive Vice President and General Manager, Scott Bonner. "We wish him all the best and thank him for his time with our club."

Zalitach's Stats:

G-Men Win in Kamloops

Brett Kulak scored the winning goal on the power play in the final minute of the first period as the Vancouver Giants went on to defeat the Kamloops Blazers 4-1 at the Interior Savings Centre on Sunday evening. The G-Men also got goals from Carter Popoff, Jackson Houck and Tim Traber while Payton Lee made 33 stops between the pipes for Vancouver.

The Blazers got out to a great start, scoring right off the opening face-off just six seconds into the game when Aspen Sterzer walked down the left wing and beat Lee glove side. The Giants responded with a strong push back effort that eventually resulted in an equalizing goal when Popoff dug out a loose puck in the Kamloops crease and knocked it into the net. Kulak scored the eventual winner in the late stages with a long slap shot from the right point that got past Kamloops goalie Bolton Pouliot cleanly to give Vancouver a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

The Giants extended the lead in the middle frame when Houck buried a one-timer from the slot after Popoff found him with a nice pass off the end boards. Traber added his name to the scoresheet as well when he deflected a Blake Orban point shot from in front of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

Lee had to make a couple of big saves in the third period, but the Giants played a solid final stanza to close out the victory on the road.

The G-Men continue their road trip on Tuesday night in Prince George for the first of two in a row against the Cougars. Pre-Game coverage begins at 6:30pm on TEAM 1410 and http://teamradio.ca followed by the face-off at 7:00pm.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Brett Kulak - Vancouver
2. Jackson Houck - Vancouver
3. Carter Popoff - Vancouver

Pre-Game Report: Giants at Blazers

The Vancouver Giants (3-9-1-1) will play their third game in as many nights on Sunday when they visit the Kamloops Blazers (4-9-1-0). The game will mark the second meeting between the two squads this season as Vancouver came out on top by a score of 5-1 at the Pacific Coliseum on October 18th.

The G-Men are coming off back-to-back losses on Friday and Saturday against the Everett Silvertips and Seattle Thunderbirds respectively. Carter Popoff scored twice in the loss to Seattle while Travis McEvoy has now scored a goal in two straight games. The native of Thorsby, Alberta has only appeared in six games this year due to an early season injury but has posted five points. The Giants fired 44 shots on net in Seattle -- the most they've mustered against an opposing goaltender all season.

The Blazers are coming off a high scoring 7-6 overtime loss to Everett on Saturday. Forwards Chase Souto and Matt Needham each tallied four points in the game. The Kamloops club will look a lot different than they did the last time they faced Vancouver after GM Craig Bonner made a huge trade on Tuesday, sending forward Tim Bozon and defenseman Landon Cross to the Kootenay Ice in exchange for forward Collin Shirley, defenseman Matt Thomas and three draft picks.

Where: Interior Savings Centre; Kamloops, BC

When: 6:00pm (The Pre-Game Show starts at 5:30pm.)

Listen: TEAM 1040 or teamradio.ca.

T-Birds Down Giants in Seattle

The Vancouver Giants lost their second in a row, falling 5-3 to the Seattle Thunderbirds at the ShoWare Centre on Saturday night. Carter Popoff had a pair of power play goals for the G-Men while Travis McEvoy scored his second goal in as many nights as well.

Keegan Kolesar opened the scoring for Seattle just over two minutes into the game with a power play marker that trickled across the goal line and into the Vancouver net. Seth Swenson doubled the lead for the T-Birds shortly thereafter when he walked into the slot and fired a shot that beat Payton Lee on the glove side. The Giants pulled to within one when McEvoy knocked a rebound past Seattle goalie Justin Myles. The play was reviewed as it looked like McEvoy may have kicked the puck in, but the goal was allowed to stand. Seattle went ahead 3-1 before the end of the stanza when Shea Theodore scored on a long shot from the blue line.

The teams traded goals in the second. The Thunderbirds extended their lead to 4-1 when Roberts Lipsbergs shoveled the puck between Lee’s legs on a strange play at the Vancouver goal mouth, but the Giants responded when Popoff wired a rebound into a yawning cage on the power play.

Popoff found the net again on a power play early in the third when he beat Myles cleanly with a nice wrister from the left circle. The Giants pressed the Thunderbirds, outshooting Seattle 11-5 in the final frame, but the G-Men couldn’t find a tying goal, and Swenson sealed the win for Seattle with an empty netter in the final minute.

The Giants will return to action tomorrow night when they continue their road trip in Kamloops against the Blazers. The puck drop is set for 6:00pm with the Pre-Game Show beginning at 5:30pm on TEAM 1040 and http://teamradio.ca.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Justin Myles - Seattle
2. Carter Popoff - Vancouver
3. Keegan Kolesar - Seattle

Pre-Game Report: Giants at Thunderbirds

The Vancouver Giants (3-8-1-1) will begin a four game road trip when they visit the Seattle Thunderbirds (9-3-0-2) on Saturday evening for the second of four meetings between the two teams this season. The T-Birds won the first game 6-0 back on September 25th.

The Giants are coming off a disappointing 6-5 loss to the Everett Silvertips on Friday night. Cain Franson and Brett Kulak each had two goals in the game. Franson, who missed some time earlier in the season due to injury, has three goals in the last two games after going without a goal in his first seven games of the season. Kulak leads the Giants in points with four goals and seven assists in 11 games and has six points in his last three games as well.

The T-Birds are coming off a Friday night loss as well after dropping a 3-2 decision in a shootout to the Tri-City Americans. Seattle was part of a big trade earlier this week when General Manager Russ Farwell acquired forwards Jaimen Yakubowski and Sam Mckechnie from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for Riley Sheen and Carter Folk. Yakubowski and Mckechnie, who didn't play in the Friday night game against Tri-City, combined for 93 points with the Hurricanes last season.

Where: ShoWare Centre; Kent, Washington

When: 7:00pm (The Pre-Game Show starts at 6:30pm.)

Listen: TEAM 1040 or teamradio.ca.

Hayer's Hat-Trick Helps Silvertips Defeat Giants

Manraj Hayer had a hat-trick, including the winning goal in the late stages of the third period, as the Everett Silvertips downed the Vancouver Giants 6-5 in a high scoring affair at the Pacific Coliseum on Friday evening. Brett Kulak and Cain Franson each had two goals for the G-Men while Travis McEvoy scored as well for Vancouver.

Vancouver got out to a great start when Kulak opened the scoring less than four minutes into the game, beating Everett goalie Austin Lotz cleanly with a slap shot from the left point. The Silvertips responded with three unanswered goals. First, Hayer tallied his first of the evening, completing a nice passing play that also involved Joshua Winquist and Kohl Bauml to tie the game. Brayden Low gave Everett the lead shortly thereafter when he scored on a rebound from the right circle, and Bauml made it 3-1 with a garbage goal from the top of the crease. Kulak pulled Vancouver back to within one in the final minute of the period when he beat Lotz with a long shot from the blue line right off a face-off.

The Giants built off of Kulak's late goal in the first and tied the game on the power play in the middle frame when Franson scored from close range, picking the top left corner to make it 3-3. But less than a minute later, the 'Tips retook the lead when Austin Adam's wrist shot from the blue line found its way past Payton Lee. Vancouver evened the score again when Franson buried his second power play marker of the evening, knocking the puck into the Everett net after a nice pass off the left wing from Carter Popoff. However, Everett responded quickly again as Hayer tipped a centring feed from Tyler Sandhu past Lee, and the Silvertips were ahead once again.

McEvoy had a couple of golden opportunities to tie the game early in the third when he got a shot away from the slot and then picked up his own rebound, but Lotz kept both attempts out. McEvoy wouldn't be denied though as he would eventually score the equalizer for Vancouver, pouncing on a loose puck in front to tie the game. The score remained level until the final two minutes of the third when Hayer completed his hat-trick and gave Everett the victory, walking off the right boards to the front of the net and scoring on the forehand.

The G-Men will return to action on Saturday evening when they head south of the border to visit the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Pre-Game Show begins at 6:30pm followed by the puck drop at 7:00pm on TEAM 1040 and http://teamradio.ca.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Manraj Hayer - Everett
2. Brett Kulak - Vancouver
3. Cain Franson - Vancouver

Pre-Game Report: Giants vs. Silvertips

The Vancouver Giants (3-7-1-1) will play the first of three games in three nights as they host the Everett Silvertips (8-2-2-0) at the Pacific Coliseum on Friday evening. Everett has the lead in the season series after a 4-1 win over the G-Men at the Rink on Renfrew on September 27th.

Vancouver is riding high after a pair of wins, most recently edging the Eastern Conference leading Calgary Hitmen in overtime by a score of 4-3 on Wednesday night. Alec Baer had a strong performance for the Giants, scoring a highlight reel goal and adding a pair of assists while Tim Traber netted the OT winner. The G-Men currently sit in fourth in the BC Division and ninth in the Western Conference.

The Silvertips have also won back-to-back games after they beat the Kamloops Blazers 1-0 on Saturday before downing the Swift Current Broncos 4-1 on Sunday. Joshua Winquist, who led Everett in scoring last season, has picked up right where he left off, tallying eight goals and seven assists through 12 games. The 20-year-old also had the winning goal for the 'Tips when they defeated the Giants back in September.

Where: Pacific Coliseum

When: 7:30pm

Tickets: Visit vancouvergiants.com or call 604-4-GIANTS

Listen: Live coverage on teamradio.ca (The Pre-Game Show begins at 7:00pm.)

Goalie Coach Eli Wilson Joins Giants

The Giants made a change with their goaltending coach this past week as Eli Wilson has joined the club and will work with Vancouver's net minders going forward. Wilson brings a wealth of experience at the NHL level.

Here's the release from the Giants:

The Vancouver Giants have hired Eli Wilson as the team's new goaltending coach.

"Obviously I’m really excited to join this organization," said Wilson. "It's a top organization in the Western Hockey League, and being my hometown team, everything worked perfect for me to join the Giants and I'm looking forward to working with Scott Bonner, and Don Hay and his staff."

Wilson has coached many National Hockey League goaltenders including Carey Price, Tim Thomas, Cory Schneider, and Tuukka Rask.

"I've coached at every level, from minor hockey to the NHL, and I've developed goaltenders to move on and reach their goals," added Wilson. "I've had a lot of success in the WHL when I was in Medicine Hat and I know what it takes at this level for goalies to reach their full potential."

Wilson also founded the largest goaltending school in Western Canada and has worked with Hockey Canada, the Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks.

Vancouver Giants This Week: October 24, 2013

Traber Lifts Giants Over Hitmen

Tim Traber scored the winning goal at 2:04 of the overtime period to lift the Vancouver Giants to their second straight win as they downed the Calgary Hitmen 4-3. Vancouver also got goals from Blake Orban, Alec Baer and Cain Franson in the victory.

The Giants jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Orban opened the scoring for Vancouver inside the first five minutes when his long wrist shot from the right point got past Calgary goalie Chris Driedger. Baer made it 2-0 just a couple of minutes later with a highlight reel goal as he undressed a Hitmen defender in the slot before tucking the puck inside the left post. Franson rounded out the scoring for Vancouver in the first when he netted his first goal of the year, picking the top right corner from the right circle.

Anthony Ast nearly gave the G-Men a four goal lead in the early stages of the middle frame with a good wraparound chance at the left post, but Driedger kept the puck out, and the Hitmen found the scoreboard later in the period when Abbotsford native Jake Virtanen beat Payton Lee with a hard shot off the rush on the right wing. Joel Hamilton had a good opportunity late in the stanza when Baer found him in the slot, but Hamilton tipped the puck wide of the Hitmen goal.

Calgary turned up the pressure in the third period and found two goals to force overtime. Elliott Peterson buried his fourth of the season off the right wing to pull the Hitmen to within one before Calder Brooks tied the game late with a one-timer from the high slot.

The overtime period started with the two teams playing 3-on-3 hockey after a pair of coincidental penalties at the end of the third, and just as the penalties expired, Traber got the puck in the slot and shovelled it past Driedger to end the game.

The G-Men get right back at it on Friday night at the Coliseum against the Everett Silvertips. For tickets, call 604-4-GIANTS or visit vancouvergiants.com. You can hear the action on teamradio.ca.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Alec Baer - Vancouver
2. Blake Orban - Vancouver
3. Jake Virtanen - Calgary

Pre-Game Report: Giants vs. Hitmen

The Vancouver Giants (2-7-1-1) will look for their second straight win when they host the Calgary Hitmen (9-3-0-1) at the Pacific Coliseum on Wednesday evening. The Hitmen swept the season series with the Giants in 2012-2013, going 2-0 against Vancouver.

The G-Men begin a stretch of six games in eight days starting with tonight's match-up against Calgary. The Vancouver club is coming off its second win of the season last Friday against Kamloops, a victory that bumped an eight game losing skid. Defenseman Brett Kulak had a goal and two assists in the win and now leads the team in points with eight, followed closely by Dalton Thrower who has four goals and three assists in seven games.

The Hitmen sit atop the Eastern Conference heading into Wednesday's action and have picked up points in their last seven straight games. Abbotsford native Jake Virtanen has been a big part of Calgary's early season success, tallying 11 points in 13 games. The Hitmen also feature defenseman Josh Thrower, the younger brother of Giants captain Dalton. Calgary's power play is second best in the WHL as the Hitmen have scored on over 25 per cent of their opportunities with the man advantage.

Where: Pacific Coliseum

When: 7:00pm

Tickets: Visit vancouvergiants.com or call 604-4-GIANTS

Listen: TEAM 1410 or teamradio.ca (The Pre-Game Show begins at 6:30pm.)

Giants Bump Slump Against Blazers

The Vancouver Giants ended their eight game losing streak with a big 5-1 win over the Kamloops Blazers at the Pacific Coliseum on Friday night. Payton Lee made 23 saves to pick up the win while Vancouver got goals from Tim Traber, Dalton Thrower, Ty Ronning, Brett Kulak and Alec Baer.

Traber got Vancouver on the board 2:20 into the first period when he tipped a Brett Kulak pass into the Blazers' net off the rush to put the Giants ahead. There was a pause in the action a couple of minutes later when Kamloops goalie Bolton Pouliot went down on the ice after a teammate collided with him. Pouliot had to leave the game with what looked like a head injury, and he was replaced by Taran Kozun.

While the second period gave the Giants fits on their eastern road swing, the Vancouver club came out with a solid effort in the middle frame on home ice, and after killing off an early penalty, Thrower scored his fourth of the young season on a point shot on the power play to double Vancouver's advantage. Blake Orban had a great chance in the second as well when he wrung a wrister off the post from the right wing.

The G-Men extended the lead in the first minute of the third when Ronning scored his second of the year, knocking home a nice centring feed from Carter Popoff off the end boards. Vancouver went to the power play later in the frame after Andreas Eder was hit from behind by Ryan Rehill, and just as the penalty expired, Cain Franson found a pinching Kulak with a seeing eye pass from the left corner, and Kulak made no mistake, burying the one-timer at the right post to make it 4-0. Baer, who had a strong game throughout, added his name to the scoresheet just after the ten-minute mark when he ripped a wrist shot over Kozun's right shoulder right off the face-off. The Blazers spoiled Payton Lee's shutout bid a few minutes later when Aspen Sterzer shovelled a rebound into the Vancouver net.

The G-Men will be back in action at the Pacific Coliseum on Wednesday evening when they host the Calgary Hitmen. For ticket information, call 604-4-GIANTS or visit vancouvergiants.com.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Brett Kulak - Vancouver
2. Alec Baer - Vancouver
3. Dalton Thrower - Vancouver

Pre-Game Report: Giants vs. Blazers

The Vancouver Giants will host their divisional rivals the Kamloops Blazers for the first time this season on Friday evening. The G-Men are 1-7-1-1 and have lost their last eight straight games while the Blazers are 4-7-0-0. Kamloops won the season series between the two clubs last year, taking seven of eight games against Vancouver.

The Giants will be back in the friendly confines of the Pacific Coliseum after a long prairie road trip that saw them go 0-4-1-1 against the East Division. Vancouver will also be looking for its first win at home this year as the G-Men are 0-3 at the Coliseum. Forward Trent Lofthouse is expected to make his Giants debut while Friday's game marks the first opportunity for Giants fans to see Dalton Thrower. The 20-year-old blue liner leads the team in points with six.

The Blazers are coming off back-to-back wins after defeating Lethbridge and Seattle on Monday and Wednesday respectively. Kamloops sits in ninth in the Western Conference, four points ahead of Vancouver. Forward Cole Ully, a fifth round pick of the Dallas Stars, and defenseman Josh Connolly share the team lead in points for the Blazers with 11 each. Connolly is the brother of former Prince George Cougar and Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick Brett Connolly.

Where: Pacific Coliseum

When: 7:30pm

Tickets: Visit vancouvergiants.com or call 604-4-GIANTS

Listen: TEAM 1040 or teamradio.ca (Pre-Game Round Table begins at 6pm.)

Vancouver Giants This Week: October 17, 2013

G-Men Acquire Lofthouse from Victoria

The Vancouver Giants bolstered their banged up forward group on Wednesday by picking up winger Trent Lofthouse in a trade with the Victoria Royals. The G-Men gave up an 8th round pick in the 2014 Bantam Draft. Lofthouse, an 18-year-old Surrey native, is expected to make his Giants debut on Friday night against Kamloops at the Pacific Coliseum.

Here's the full release from the Giants:

The Vancouver Giants have acquired right-winger Trent Lofthouse from the Victoria Royals in exchange for an eighth-round pick in the 2014 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

The 6'3", 185lbs forward has one goal, one assist (2 points), and 4 penalty minutes in 11 games with the Royals so far this season.

"Our team has been struggling with three elements - size, scoring and depth, due to health," said Giants' Executive Vice President and General Manager, Scott Bonner. "We feel Trent has the potential to help us address all three needs."

The Surrey native is in his third season in the WHL and has played for the Everett Silvertips and Victoria Royals.

Lofthouse's Stats:

Giants Prospects Off to U16 Challenge Cup

Some of the top youngsters in the system for the Vancouver Giants will take part in the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup at the end of the month. Top pick Tyler Benson will play in the tournament along with four other Vancouver draft picks.

Here's the release from the Giants:

The Vancouver Giants would like to congratulate our top 5 picks in the 2013 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft – Tyler Benson, Matt Barberis, Ryely McKinstry, Gage Ramsay, and Ryan Kubic – on being named to represent their province in the 2013 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup.

Benson, the first overall draft pick of the 2013 Bantam Draft, and McKinstry, who was drafted 23rd overall, will represent Team Alberta in the challenge.

Barberis, the Giants' 20th overall selection, will represent Team BC.

Kubic, a second-round selection, will be one of two goalies to represent Team Manitoba.

And Ramsay, who was drafted in the third round by Vancouver, will represent Team Saskatchewan.

The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup will feature the highest rated players in the Under-16 age category and will take place from October 31 to November 3 at the Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary, Alberta.

To view the complete rosters, click HERE.

G-Men End Trip with Loss in Swift Current

The Vancouver Giants concluded their six game East Division road trip with a 5-2 loss to the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday night. Vancouver got goals from Andreas Eder and Joel Hamilton in a losing cause. The G-Men are now 1-7-1-1 on the season.

Vancouver opened the scoring near the end of the first period on the power play when Dalton Thrower got a shot through on net from the point, and Andreas Eder pounced on the rebound, scoring his second of the year. Before the period was out, Joel Hamilton extended the Giants' lead on a very similar goal as Thrower once again forced Swift Current net minder Eetu Laurikainen into a save with a long shot on goal, and Hamilton buried the rebound, giving Vancouver a 2-0 lead after one period.

The Broncos responded well in the second. Julius Honka put Swift Current on the board in the first four minutes of the stanza with a power play marker, and Broncos captain Colby Cave tied the game just a couple of minutes later. Hamilton nearly gave Vancouver a 3-2 lead late in the frame when he walked into the slot after a nice drag move off the left wing, but Laurikainen kept the puck out.

Swift Current sealed their victory early in the third as Zac Mackay put the Broncos ahead 1:20 into the final frame. The Broncos went on to add goals from Glenn Gawdin and Bobby Zinkan while holding the Giants to seven shots on goal in the third.

The Giants now return home and will be back in action at the Pacific Coliseum on Friday evening against the Kamloops Blazers. Hear the call of the game on TEAM 1040. The Pre-Game Round-Table gets underway at 6:00pm, followed by the puck drop at 7:30.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Julius Honka - Swift Current
2. Dalton Thrower - Vancouver
3. Zac Mackay - Swift Current

Pre-Game Report: Giants at Broncos

The Vancouver Giants will complete their six game visit to the prairies on Saturday night when they take on the Swift Current Broncos at the Credit Union i-plex. In their last meeting, the Broncos defeated the Giants 3-1 at the Pacific Coliseum on December 7, 2012.

Vancouver came from behind in the third period in Regina on Friday evening but had to settle for a single point after losing in overtime to the Pats. The G-Men have only earned two points through five games on the road trip and have now lost their last seven in a row. Captain Dalton Thrower scored his third goal of the year in Regina, moving him into a tie with Anthony Ast for most goals scored by a Giant this season. Ast, Carter Popoff and Brett Kulak sit tied for the team lead in points with five each.

The Broncos enter tonight's action having lost their last two games after dropping a 5-4 decision to the Calgary Hitmen on Wednesday night before losing to the Saskatoon Blades by a score of 2-1 on Friday night. The Broncos are 5-3-0-1 on the year, leaving them in fourth in the Eastern Conference. Defenseman Julius Honka has had a great start to the year for Swift Current. The 17-year-old rookie has two goals and 10 assists in nine games this season.

Where: Credit Union i-plex; Swift Current, Saskatchewan

When: 6:00pm PDT (The Pre-Game Show starts at 5:30pm.)

Listen: TEAM 1410 or teamradio.ca.

G-Men Fall to Pats in OT

Despite a valiant third period comeback, the Vancouver Giants dropped their seventh game in a row, losing 5-4 to the Regina Pats in overtime. Vancouver got goals from Brett Kulak, Dalton Thrower, Alec Baer and Joel Hamilton while Boston Leier led the way for the Pats, netting a hat-trick including the OT winner.

The Giants got out to a strong start when Kulak scored less than a minute into the first period, beating Regina goalie Dawson MacAuley with a hard wrister for his first of the season. Dalton Thrower put Vancouver ahead 2-0 later in the frame, scoring off a point shot on the power play. But the Pats countered with a goal of their own before the intermission when Dyson Stevenson tallied his third of the year to cut into the Giants' lead.

Despite only firing four shots on Payton Lee in the second period, the Pats scored three goals and had a 4-2 lead by the end of the stanza. Leier picked up his first of the evening on the power play just before the halfway mark and then scored again at 16:36 to put Regina ahead. Stevenson bagged his second goal of the game in the dying seconds of the period, knocking home a rebound off the rush as time expired.

Vancouver's third period comeback was started just 1:17 into the frame when Baer netted his first of the year after a nice pass from Jackson Houck off the right wing boards. The Giants continued to pressure but couldn't find the equalizer until the final four minutes of regulation as Hamilton walked in on goal and scored on his own rebound, beating MacAuley with a backhander and forcing OT.

The Pats were given a power play early in the extra period when Hamilton was called for tripping, and Leier completed his hat-trick on the man advantage to give Regina the victory.

The Giants will conclude their six game road trip on Saturday night in Swift Current against the Broncos. Hear the game on TEAM 1410 or teamradio.ca. Pre-Game starts at 5:30pm followed by the face-off at 6pm.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Boston Leier - Regina
2. Kyle Burroughs - Regina
3. Joel Hamilton - Vancouver

Pre-Game Report: Giants at Pats

The Vancouver Giants will play their fifth game of a six game road trip on Friday night when they visit the Brandt Centre to take on the Regina Pats. In the only meeting between the teams last season, Vancouver prevailed with a 4-3 shootout victory.

The G-Men will want to respond with a good effort after a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Saskatoon Blades on Wednesday. Vancouver was in the game when Dalton Thrower tied it at 1-1 early in the third, but the Giants went on to concede five goals the rest of the way. The G-Men will be without defenseman Blake Orban for tonight's contest after he was handed a one game suspension for instigating a fight late in the game in Saskatoon.

Regina sits in 11th in the Eastern Conference heading into tonight's game with a record of 2-5-0-0. The Pats haven't played since Sunday when they outlasted the Saskatoon Blades 5-4 in a shootout. Offensively, the Regina club is led by talented forward Morgan Klimchuk. The Calgary Flames prospect has three goals and six assists through seven games this year.

Where: Brandt Centre; Regina, Saskatchewan

When: 6:00pm PDT (The Pre-Game Show starts at 5:30pm.)

Listen: TEAM 1410 or teamradio.ca.

Blades Defeat Giants 6-1

The Vancouver Giants conceded five goals in the third period, losing 6-1 to the Saskatoon Blades at Credit Union Centre on Wednesday evening. Former Blade Dalton Thrower had the lone marker for the G-Men who fell to 1-6-0-1 on the season.

The Blades opened the scoring just over five minutes into the game after some early pressure in the Vancouver end. David Nemecek picked up a loose puck at the left circle and beat Payton Lee on the blocker side to give the Saskatoon club the early lead. The Blades continued to pressure the Giants throughout the opening frame, and although Vancouver out shot Saskatoon in the first, the home team took the lead to the intermission.

Neither side was able to score in the middle frame, but both teams had good chances. Lee had to make a couple of big stops including an impressive lateral save on Nikita Scherbak to keep it a one goal game. Andreas Eder nearly tied the game for the G-Men late in the period when he got the puck in the slot and hammered a shot off the post from in close.

Vancouver got its tying goal early in the third period when Thrower rushed the puck up the ice and made a couple of beautiful dekes to get in on goal and beat Saskatoon goalie Alex Moodie. But the response from the Blades came quickly as they retook the lead 2:01 later on a goal by Nick Zajac. The Saskatoon team then went on to score three more goals in the space of seven minutes as Ryan Graham and Nelson Nogier found the net while Zajac added another to make it 5-1. Graham Millar picked up a power play marker in the final minute to complete the scoring for the Blades.

The Giants will continue their road trip on Friday night in Regina against the Pats. Listen to the action on TEAM 1410 and teamradio.ca. Pre-Game begins at 5:30pm followed by the face-off at 6:00pm.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Nick Zajac - Saskatoon
2. Alex Moodie - Saskatoon
3. Nelson Nogier - Saskatoon

Pre-Game Report: Giants at Blades

The Vancouver Giants continue their six game road swing tonight in Saskatoon where they'll face the Blades. The two teams sit at the bottom of their respective conferences with matching 1-5-0-1 records. In their only meeting last season, Saskatoon skated away from the Pacific Coliseum with a 5-2 win.

The G-Men are coming off another hard fought loss in Prince Albert on Tuesday night. Vancouver led 3-0 after one period, but the Giants got into some penalty trouble in the second period, allowing the Raiders to come back and eventually tie the game before winning in a shootout. This evening's game in Saskatoon marks a homecoming of sorts for Vancouver captain Dalton Thrower. The 20-year-old played four seasons for the Blades before being dealt to the Giants in the off-season.

Saskatoon lost its first five games of the season, but the Blades have been rounding into better form of late, picking up a victory and an overtime loss in their last two. Former Giant Nathan Burns had a big game in Sunday's 5-4 shootout loss to Regina. The Edmonton native scored all four of his team's goals and added a shootout goal as well. Burns now sits tied for the team lead in points alongside 17-year-old Russian forward Nikita Scherbak.

Where: Credit Union Centre; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

When: 6:00pm PDT

Listen: TEAM 1040 or teamradio.ca.

Raiders Come Back to Beat Giants in Shootout

The Vancouver Giants jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one period, but had to settle for a single point as they went on to lose 4-3 to the Prince Albert Raiders in a shootout on Tuesday evening at the Art Hauser Centre. Jackson Houck, Tim Traber and Ty Ronning had the goals for the G-Men.

The Giants started the game very well and carried the play throughout the opening 20 minutes. Houck scored the first goal of the game when he knocked the puck across the goal line off the rebound of an Arvin Atwal shot to put Vancouver on the board less than five minutes into the action. Traber added to the lead when he batted his own rebound past Raiders goalie Cole Cheveldave after a nice play by Alec Baer. Ronning netted his first WHL goal after Carter Popoff drove the net from off the left wing, leaving the rebound at the left post for Ronning to tuck into the goal.

Vancouver got into some penalty trouble in the second, and it ended up costing them. The Giants took five minor penalties in the period, and the Raiders found the net when Leon Draisaitl hammed a one-timer past Jared Rathjen in the Vancouver net. Later in the period, the Giants were given a power play when MacKenzie Johnston was penalized for slashing, but the Raiders capitalized on a neutral zone turnover and Reid Gardiner scored shorthanded to pull the home team to within one goal.

The Raiders continued to pressure in the third, looking for a tying goal, and they got their equalizer when Lance Yaremchuk pounced on a loose puck in the slot and buried his opportunity to make it 3-3. Both teams had chances to take the lead in the third, but neither side could find a go-ahead goal, and for the first time this season, the G-Men went to overtime.

Prince Albert had the best chance of the overtime period when Draisaitl hit the post from the deep slot, beating Rathjen but not the iron. The Giants mustered a couple of opportunities as well, but in the end the shootout would be necessary. Draisaitl and Gardiner scored for PA while Popoff and Thrower were both denied by Cheveldave to give the Raiders the victory.

The Giants will get right back at it on Wednesday night with a visit to Saskatoon to take on the Blades. Hear the game on TEAM 1040 and teamradio.ca beginning with coverage at 6:00pm.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Leon Draisaitl - Prince Albert
2. Lance Yaremchuk - Prince Albert
3. Jackson Houck - Vancouver

Pre-Game Report: Giants at Raiders

The Vancouver Giants will reach the halfway mark of their six game road trip on Tuesday night when they visit the Prince Albert Raiders for their only meeting of the season. The last time the teams faced off, the G-Men skated away with a 5-1 victory in Vancouver on January 30, 2013.

The Giants have played two solid road games on the prairies but have no points to show for it after dropping a pair of one goal contests in Brandon and Moose Jaw. German rookie forward Andreas Eder netted his first WHL goal on Saturday night in the 2-1 loss to the Warriors. Vancouver's penalty kill has remained strong as the G-Men have killed off over 84 per cent of their shorthanded situations, leaving them fourth in the league on the PK.

The Raiders had a strong start to the season, winning their first five games in a row, but Prince Albert has lost its last two, including a 9-1 drubbing at the hands of the Edmonton Oil Kings, and will be looking to get back in the win column on Tuesday night. Second year forward Leon Draisaitl has led the way offensively for the Raiders, tallying four goals and six assists in seven games. Prince Albert's power play has been strong as the Raiders have scored nine times on 31 opportunities.

Where: Art Hauser Centre; Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

When: 6:00pm PDT (The Pre-Game Show starts at 5:30pm.)

Listen: TEAM 1410 or teamradio.ca.

Giants Fall to Warriors

Despite a good road effort in Moose Jaw on Saturday night, the Vancouver Giants lost their fourth in a row, falling by a score of 2-1 to the Warriors at Mosaic Place. Rookie net minder Zachary Sawchenko picked up the victory in his first WHL start while Payton Lee stopped 24 of 26 shots for Vancouver.

For the second night in a row, the Giants came out with a jump in their collective step. Vancouver controlled most of the first period and had a couple of good opportunities to open the scoring, but it was the Warriors who found the net against the run of play when Tyler Bell chipped his own rebound up and over a sprawling Lee to put the home team ahead.

Sam Fioretti made it 2-0 for Moose Jaw less than four minutes into the second when he capitalized on a neutral zone turnover, streaking down the right wing and firing a shot inside the left post. Todd Fiddler came close to giving the Warriors a three goal lead with a one-timer from the right circle, but Lee went from right to left to make a fantastic save. The Giants made it a one goal game in the second half of the period when Thomas Foster made a nice pass off the end boards to find Andreas Eder alone in the high slot, and the big German hammered a snap shot into the top shelf, picking up his first WHL goal. Lee was called into action again later in the period when Fiddler was awarded a penalty shot after getting tangled up with Brett Kulak on a rush up the ice, but Lee made a big stop to keep Vancouver within one goal.

The Giants threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Warriors in the third. Vancouver out shot Moose Jaw 11-5 and had numerous good scoring chances, including a goal mouth scramble late in the game that saw the puck trickle just inches wide of the right post. The Giants had a pair of power plays in the final frame as well, but in the end the Warriors held on for the win.

The Vancouver club will get back at it on Tuesday night in Prince Albert against the Raiders. Catch the call on TEAM 1410 and teamradio.ca. Pre-Game gets underway at 5:30pm followed by the puck drop at 6:00.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Sam Fioretti - Moose Jaw
2. Zachary Sawchenko - Moose Jaw
3. Payton Lee - Vancouver

Pre-Game Report: Giants at Warriors

The Vancouver Giants will look for their second win of the season when they continue their prairie road trip with a match-up against the Moose Jaw Warriors at Mosaic Place on Saturday. In their only meeting last year, the Warriors won 2-1 at the Pacific Coliseum.

Vancouver is coming off a hard fought 4-3 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday evening. While the Giants are 1-4-0-0 on the season, there were a lot of positives to build from after Friday's game. New captain Dalton Thrower chipped in offensively with a goal and an assist while Jackson Houck tallied his first goal on the year and Anthony Ast picked up his third of the young season. The G-Men are hoping to have Tim Traber back in the line-up on Saturday as well. He's missed the last two games due to illness.

The Warriors sit with a record of 3-3-0-0 thus far this year. Moose Jaw also played on Friday evening, defeating the Red Deer Rebels 6-4 on home ice. Todd Fiddler and Travis Brown led the way for the Warriors -- each picking up four points. Moose Jaw's power play has been strong early in the campaign, particularly on home ice where the Warriors have scored six times on 14 opportunities with the man advantage.

Where: Mosaic Place; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

When: 6:00pm PDT (The Pre-Game Show starts at 5:30pm.)

Listen: TEAM 1410 or teamradio.ca

Wheat Kings Outlast G-Men in Brandon

Richard Nejezchleb and John Quenneville each scored twice as the Brandon Wheat Kings edged the Vancouver Giants 4-3 at Westman Place in Brandon on Friday night. Jackson Houck, Dalton Thrower and Anthony Ast found the back of the net for the G-Men in the losing cause as Vancouver fell to 1-4-0-0 on the season.

The game started out well for Vancouver. The Giants had a lot of the early pressure and out shot Brandon 12-6 in the opening period. The G-Men found the net first as well when Houck deflected Thrower's point shot past Wheat Kings goalie Jordan Papirny for his first of the season in the late stages of the stanza.

The home team seemed to find their groove in the second though as Nejezchleb pulled the Wheat Kings onto level terms just two minutes into the second, scoring off the rush. He added to his tally just past the midway mark of the game to put Brandon ahead, and Quenneville netted his third of the year, knocking the puck past Payton Lee from in close on the power play, to give the Manitoba club a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

The Giants rallied twice in the third to make it interesting in the late going. First, Thrower beat Papirny with a screened wrister from the point on the man advantage to pull Vancouver back to within one. But Quenneville responded for the Wheat Kings when he finished off a nice play by Ryan Pulock to make it 4-2. Ast scored his third of the year with just over six minutes remaining, but it wasn't enough as Vancouver couldn't find the needed equalizer.

The G-Men will continue their eastern road trip on Saturday evening in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan against the Warriors. Hear all the action on TEAM 1410 and teamradio.ca. Pre-Game gets underway at 5:30pm followed by the puck drop at 6:00.

Game Summary

3 Stars:
1. Richard Nejezchleb - Brandon
2. Dalton Thrower - Vancouver
3. John Quenneville - Brandon

Pre-Game Report: Giants at Wheat Kings

The Vancouver Giants will start a six game East Division road-trip on Friday night when they visit the Brandon Wheat Kings for their only meeting of the season. The last time the two teams faced each other, the Wheat Kings picked up a 3-2 win at the Pacific Coliseum on October 24, 2012.

The Giants will look to begin the month of October with a fresh outlook after a slow start to the season and a number of injuries. New captain Dalton Thrower will make his Giants debut while Mason Geertsen is expected to return to the line-up as well. The 18-year-old hasn't played since being injured in the season opener against Victoria. Vancouver enters Friday's action with the top penalty kill in the WHL. The G-Men have only allowed one power play goal on 15 opportunities.

The Wheat Kings are 3-2-0-0 through their first five games. Most recently, Brandon defeated the Edmonton Oil Kings 4-3 on Wednesday night. The Wheat Kings were boosted by the return of defenseman Ryan Pulock from New York Islanders camp. The native of Grandview, Manitoba had two goals and two assists in his first WHL game of the season. Brandon has been good at home as the Wheat Kings are 2-0 at Westman Place to start the young season.

Where: Westman Place; Brandon, Manitoba

When: 5:30pm PDT (The Pre-Game Show starts at 5pm.)

Listen: TEAM 1410 or http://teamradio.ca

Vancouver Giants This Week: October 3, 2013