Ronning gave Vancouver the early lead 5:03 into the game when Brett Kulak drove the net, and the 16-year-old was there to chip the rebound past Tigers goalie Daniel Wapple for his third of the season. Vancouver was given a five-on-three power play later in the period after Ty Stanton and Cole Sanford took penalties for Medicine Hat, and Houck converted on the man advantage to double the Giants' lead. The G-Men added another goal before the end of the first when Sward willed the puck over the goal line on a wraparound.
The second period was much quieter than the first. Neither side generated many scoring chances until the Tigers found their first of the game when Tommy Vannelli wired a slap shot past Rathjen from the left circle on the power play. Houck was robbed by Wapple in the late going as the Medicine Hat goaltender made a nice right pad save to keep the puck out.
Rathjen came up big for the Giants in the third, making a couple of huge stops as the Tigers turned up the pressure, trying to fight back into the game. Miles Koules did find the net with his eighth of the season, but Rathjen stood strong the rest of the period, making a couple of phenomenal stops in the final minute when the Tigers had their goalie pulled. Emotions boiled over at the end of the game with a large scrum around the Vancouver net. Dalton Thrower and Hunter Shinkaruk dropped the gloves with Thrower picking up a decisive victory.
The Giants will be right back at it at the Coliseum on Saturday for White Spot Legends night. The G-Men will wear special jerseys, Gordie Howe will be on hand for the ceremonial face-off and first overall bantam pick Tyler Benson will make his WHL debut. For tickets, call 604-4-GIANTS or visit vancouvergiants.com.
Game Summary
Highlights
3 Stars:
1. Jared Rathjen - Vancouver
2. Dalton Sward - Vancouver
3. Tommy Vannelli - Medicine Hat
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