nivek_wahs
04-24-2007, 03:21 AM
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=f2964e04-0400-46ce-a191-79b110d8caac
Bring on the rowdy crowd
Giants aren't afraid of hostile Prince George environment
Steve Ewen, The Province
Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2007
PRINCE GEORGE -- Craig Bonner is often more mellow than a monk.
So when you consider that the usually even-keeled Vancouver Giants assistant coach/assistant general manager got into a war of words with a heckler here at the CN Centre after a playoff win last year, the Giants are in hostile territory looking to stretch their 2-0 lead in the WHL Western Conference against the Prince George Cougars tonight.
The Cougars' impressive playoff run has won over Prince George once again, as the team that averaged crowds of 2,967 in the regular season is expecting another sellout in excess of 5,900 tonight. And the Cougar faithful are known for being far from shy.
"The fans pretty much hate everyone that comes in here to play us," said Cougars coach Drew Schoneck. "They're loud and they're hanging over the glass. The players are never in danger, but they are right on top of you, and as you're coming out [on the ice] they're right there, giving it to you.
"If you're not used to it, it can rattle you."
The Giants insist they're used to it, and they have evidence on their side. Vancouver goes into tonight with 12 straight WHL playoff road wins dating back to the first round last year, and included in that are a pair of victories in Prince George, along with twin victories before two more of the league's tougher crowds in Everett and Moose Jaw.
Giants captain Brett Festerling takes it a step further, saying that the team would much rather play before the type of anti-Giant crowd they're going to see tonight than the near empty building they got when they visited the under-supported Seattle Thunderbirds last round.
"This is a tough building? We say it's a fun game to play," said Festerling, a defenceman. "We'd much rather be in a barn like this with a lot of atmosphere.
"Cities like this, who are getting behind their teams, make it a fun place to play. It's a good place to get the excitement up and that energy up."
Road wins are part of the Giants' collective personality. They were 18-12-3-3 away from the Pacific Coliseum in league play this season, and went a remarkable 23-9-0-4 in the visitors' role in 2005-06.
"We take pride in our checking and the road is more about checking," said Festerling. "The road is more about structure.
"That's how we measure how we are playing -- how we're playing on the road."
Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith added: "There's no better feeling than scoring a goal on the road and the only cheers that you hear are coming from your bench."
- - -
Rabbit player of week
Giants centre Wacey Rabbit is the WHL player of the week.
In the opening game of the Western Conference finals against the Prince George Cougars, Rabbit collected five points.
Friday, Rabbit had an assist in a 3-2 Game 1 victory. The next night, he had a four-goal effort in a 6-2 win over the Cougars. The output tied a Vancouver record for goals in a game, and set the mark for goals in a playoff game.
© The Vancouver Province 2007
Bring on the rowdy crowd
Giants aren't afraid of hostile Prince George environment
Steve Ewen, The Province
Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2007
PRINCE GEORGE -- Craig Bonner is often more mellow than a monk.
So when you consider that the usually even-keeled Vancouver Giants assistant coach/assistant general manager got into a war of words with a heckler here at the CN Centre after a playoff win last year, the Giants are in hostile territory looking to stretch their 2-0 lead in the WHL Western Conference against the Prince George Cougars tonight.
The Cougars' impressive playoff run has won over Prince George once again, as the team that averaged crowds of 2,967 in the regular season is expecting another sellout in excess of 5,900 tonight. And the Cougar faithful are known for being far from shy.
"The fans pretty much hate everyone that comes in here to play us," said Cougars coach Drew Schoneck. "They're loud and they're hanging over the glass. The players are never in danger, but they are right on top of you, and as you're coming out [on the ice] they're right there, giving it to you.
"If you're not used to it, it can rattle you."
The Giants insist they're used to it, and they have evidence on their side. Vancouver goes into tonight with 12 straight WHL playoff road wins dating back to the first round last year, and included in that are a pair of victories in Prince George, along with twin victories before two more of the league's tougher crowds in Everett and Moose Jaw.
Giants captain Brett Festerling takes it a step further, saying that the team would much rather play before the type of anti-Giant crowd they're going to see tonight than the near empty building they got when they visited the under-supported Seattle Thunderbirds last round.
"This is a tough building? We say it's a fun game to play," said Festerling, a defenceman. "We'd much rather be in a barn like this with a lot of atmosphere.
"Cities like this, who are getting behind their teams, make it a fun place to play. It's a good place to get the excitement up and that energy up."
Road wins are part of the Giants' collective personality. They were 18-12-3-3 away from the Pacific Coliseum in league play this season, and went a remarkable 23-9-0-4 in the visitors' role in 2005-06.
"We take pride in our checking and the road is more about checking," said Festerling. "The road is more about structure.
"That's how we measure how we are playing -- how we're playing on the road."
Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith added: "There's no better feeling than scoring a goal on the road and the only cheers that you hear are coming from your bench."
- - -
Rabbit player of week
Giants centre Wacey Rabbit is the WHL player of the week.
In the opening game of the Western Conference finals against the Prince George Cougars, Rabbit collected five points.
Friday, Rabbit had an assist in a 3-2 Game 1 victory. The next night, he had a four-goal effort in a 6-2 win over the Cougars. The output tied a Vancouver record for goals in a game, and set the mark for goals in a playoff game.
© The Vancouver Province 2007