Game 7

[dondo]

:(

Jeez that was a tough recap to write. After all that to come away empty handed just sucks. The fact that it was a fantastic game softens that blow only slightly.

here it is...


Tigers Win Championship
Vancouver 2 Medicine Hat 3 - 2OT

Tigers Win Championship 3 - 2 - 2OT - May 14th (http://www.vancouvergiantshq.com/May_14th_TigersbkWinbkChampionship_127.html)

Well as much as I hate the final result that was a game for the ages. The Tigers and Giants fought tooth and nail all night and left everything on the ice. The way the game started I was concerned the refs wouldn’t let the teams play, but when they finally put the whistles away the teams seemed to recognize that they could ride that fine edge, but if they fell off they would be tagged. It was nice to see both teams able to play hard, gritty, hungry hockey without resorting to the cheap stuff. The game had everything including stellar chances at both ends, phenomenal goaltending, and fog delays during the first over-time period.

The Tigers opened the scoring in the first period. The Giants came out a bit out of step and played catch-up for most of the first with no thanks to the refs who seemed to only see dark early in the game, calling the G-Men for four straight penalties for some very minor acts. The Tigers were doing the same thing on the other side of the puck, but I suppose the Giants looked like they were chasing more and got tagged for the infractions as the Tigers players dropped with nary a touch on them. Tyler Ennis got the loose puck in the slot after Tyson Sexsmith made four solid pad stops, but was unable to corral the rebounds. Mario Bliznak skated by his check and Ennis found the back of the net. The Giants got that one back on their only PP opportunity of the game. Michal Repik was trying to make a cross-ice pass to a pinching Jonny Blum, but the puck got hung up and Wacey Rabbit gathered the loose biscuit and lifted it over Keetley from close in. The Vancouver squad padded that lead with a minute and half to go in the second period. Rabbit worked the puck to Milan Lucic behind the net. Lucic swung out and threw a back-handed wrap-around pass to Repik on the far side of the net. Repik went high and the Giants were up by one. The Tigers tied the game 12:10 into the third period off of some solid fore-checking. Chris Stevens threw the puck across the crease to Daine Todd who eluded Tim Kraus and put the puck over Sexsmith who had no chance. The goal came after the Giants had extended pressure in the Tigers zone and failed to capitalise on numerous good chances. Matt Keetley was keeping his team in the game single-handedly.

The teams then traded chances with both ‘tenders standing on their heads and loose pucks barely eluding sticks. It was literally a nail biting game as the momentum swung as hard as a 70’s porn star. The teams were laying it all out there striving to get the game winner. Remarkably they were doing it in a hard yet clean manner, neither team seemed to be willing to make a real mistake as they skated the narrow line between hard-play and infraction. It helped that the refs were letting them play, but I felt that neither team took advantage of that except in small ways and that’s how a game seven should be allowed to be played. Even Snappy put the dentures away and kept his stick down for the most part, and was a better and more effective player because of it.

The first OT was a bizarre one as the heat and humidity in the old building caused the ice to form a very hazy layer of fog. The officials remedied this problem by having the boys skate a round a bit every once in a while to dissipate the fog bank, and that’s how they got through the first over-time. The only penalties called in OT were coincidental penalties which had the teams skating four on four for a time. The Giants seemed to gain a bit of momentum from being four on four and got some good chances to end the game, but failed to do so. JD Watt had the best chances in overtime, but could not get the puck to stay on his stick. Neither team were really hitting, but they were checking fairly well and creating rushes one way or the other. The Tigers got the best chances late in the first OT with seconds ticking down they stormed the net and got some pucks on Sexsmith who had to be great to finally quell the onslaught.

The teams came out in the second OT playing about as hard as they did in the first OT with both teams trading momentum and chances to end the game. The final goal came when a few Giants were caught and hauled down in the offensive zone, and were not able to get back up the ice. Brennan Bosch was the double overtime hero cutting into the slot and throwing a wrister back against the flow. The shot beat Sexsmith low stick side. It was a pretty weak goal to end such a great back and forth game, but it cemented the WHL Title for the home-town Tigers, forcing the Giants in the back-door to the Memorial Cup – a way they most definitely did not want enter the tourney. The Giants will return to Vancouver, pick up the pieces and get ready for the Memorial Cup -- which they open on Friday May 18th at 6 pm PDT at the Pacific Coliseum. The Giants have nothing to be ashamed of and although they will be highly disappointed I’m sure they will eventually realise how far they came this year. Nothing will really heal the hurt, but maybe they can refocus and get some revenge by winning the Memorial Cup trophy at home. It’s a shame that either team had to lose as they are both top squads and will prove a challenge to the two American squads coming out of the East.

The Giants went 1 for 1 on the PP, while the Tigers went 1 for 5, including being stoned on a long 5 on 3 early in the first. The G-Men barely out shot the Tigers 39-37. Matt Keetley won playoff MVP honours and was the main reason that the Tigers were still in the series to play a game seven, as he made some spectacular stops to keep his team in the game throughout the series. Tyson Sexsmith a 17yr old goalie (by WHL reckoning, although he is eligible for this year’s NHL draft) has probably been steadily climbing the scouts lists with his playoff performance. He played beyond his young years and he has a chance to elevate his game and pad his resume with a Memorial Cup victory, something which was denied the Giants last year.

As I said before a game for the ages sure to be a classic. Obviously I wanted the game to swing the other way, but it was a fine example of excellent hockey players giving their all vying to win the big prize. No hockey fan can deny that that wasn’t some of the best hockey they have ever seen, and for the Tigers fans in the building it must have been a once in a lifetime experience.

Three Stars

1 – Matt Keetley
2 – Brennan Bosch
3 – Tyson Sexsmith

[Soundy]

A couple stats of note that were mentioned during the game (at least if you had the TV sound down and Joey's PBP turned up): that's the first time in franchise history that the Giants have played a second OT, and the first time in WHL history that a game 7 in finals has gone into the extra frames.

Definitely one for the books all around!

[dondo]

don't tell me the timing for the game is the same for the TV and the radio (usually there's a delay for one or the other) .. you mean I listened to Russell and Wilms for nothing? Boogaard'd

Russell brings out the worst in Wilms I'm thinking and the PBP was painful.. at one time Russell had Keetley in both nets, and Kraus became Watt too many times tonight for my liking according to Danny.

[Knuckles Muldoon]

When the Tigers scored to tie it at 2-2, I had a sinking feeling that the Giants had blown their chance. You just don't get many chances to seal the deal, and the Giants couldn't manage. Both the Ennis and Daine goals were scored by little guys hanging around the front of the net in a scramble. Nobody tied either up or knocked them down. Really disappointed in Kraus' effort on both goals. He actually scrambled to get in behind Sexy and play goalie on the Ennis goal. And he stood there doing nothing while Daine poked the puck in on the second goal. This is hardly what Hay meant when he said that every player would have to be at their best to win. Big games are things you EARN. They're not something that is given. And although most of the boys left it all out there and battled to the end, there were a few who didn't compete hard enough, and in the end, that's what cost them. Maybe it's wrong to point out the inadequacies after a game like this, but losing is losing. And when it comes down to a few select mistakes, it's all the more frustrating. You come so far, you get so close, but in the end coming up just short is as bad as getting blown out, IMO. I have to admit I don't take much solace that the boys were involved in a classic. To me, it's just a loss, a blown opportunity. I'm not feeling bitter or angry, just disappointed that they couldn't see fit to try and take the action more to MedHat in OT, because it seemed that we were just hanging on, waiting for the inevitable final bullet between the eyes. They played hard, but didn't seize the moment.
Right now, I'm not even interested in the MemCup. Unless that changes, I might just forgo the whole thing. I'm just too letdown. :(

[Soundy]

don't tell me the timing for the game is the same for the TV and the radio (usually there's a delay for one or the other) .. you mean I listened to Russell and Wilms for nothing? Boogaard'd

Russell brings out the worst in Wilms I'm thinking and the PBP was painful.. at one time Russell had Keetley in both nets, and Kraus became Watt too many times tonight for my liking according to Danny.

Yup, far as I could tell, the sync between radio and TV was bang-on.

"But Chief, I asked you not to tell me that!"

[Rsthelen]

4 words "Hell of a game"


As bad as I would love to say backdoor Giants, I just can't. Sure they lost game 7 in DBL overtime but they have proven that they belong in the big show. In a series where both clubs/teams could have easily said “let’s take it easy since were all ready in the Memorial Cup” they came out fighting, every shift, in every game. It was extremely fun to watch. Now, I am known on here as a trouble maker and such …. That’s cool, so maybe this is a softer side of me, but congrats on a great series!

[Giantsfan]

I am crushed beyond words but I am so proud of the guys. I can't imagine how bad they must have felt after working so hard to not win it.

All I wanna say is ONCE AGAIN, terrible REFFING GAVE the Tigers every opportunity to win this game. 1 bloody pp is all we get, AFTER, & ONLY AFTER the Tigers got a 3 pps,& a goal on the 1st penalty for Regner throwing a body check in the corner! The Giants got shafted in EVERY GAME except games 1 & 4. Why was a ref FROM MED HAT reffing game 2? That is when the Giants got EIGHT penalties to the Tigers THREE, including 2 TWO 5 on 3 advantages. What do the refs have against the Giants? The amount of favoritism shown the Tigers was unbearable! Time after time the Gmen got the short end of the reffing, sometimes it was so awful I was ready to *** *** ***!!!!! I know the Giant's coaching staff never used that as an excuse, but my GOD this was the most biased reffering I've ever seen. I know Bonnner complained after the game 2 loss, but other than that, I only heard Hay talking about being smarter & accountable. That's taking the high road, because in all but 2 games, the officiating could've been reffed better by a blind man.

[langdak]

I am crushed beyond words but I am so proud of the guys. I can't imagine how bad they must have felt after working so hard to not win it.

All I wanna say is ONCE AGAIN, terrible REFFING GAVE the Tigers every opportunity to win this game. 1 bloody pp is all we get, AFTER, & ONLY AFTER the Tigers got a 3 pps,& a goal on the 1st penalty for Regner throwing a body check in the corner! The Giants got shafted in EVERY GAME except games 1 & 4. Why was a ref FROM MED HAT reffing game 2? That is when the Giants got EIGHT penalties to the Tigers THREE, including 2 TWO 5 on 3 advantages. What do the refs have against the Giants? The amount of favoritism shown the Tigers was unbearable! Time after time the Gmen got the short end of the reffing, sometimes it was so awful I was ready to *** *** ***!!!!! I know the Giant's coaching staff never used that as an excuse, but my GOD this was the most biased reffering I've ever seen. I know Bonnner complained after the game 2 loss, but other than that, I only heard Hay talking about being smarter & accountable. That's taking the high road, because in all but 2 games, the officiating could've been reffed better by a blind man.
So to wrap it up, the officiating did their job so let's give a round of applause as they helped the Tigers win the WHL Championship. applause applause applause applause applause applause


As much as i didnt agree with some of the officiating its really getting old to hear people constantly complain about it.

Dont be a sore loser, congratulate the Tigers on their win and move on, Keetley is the reason we didnt win tonight, plain and simple.

Any "normal" peformance by a goalie and we could have taken the 3rd period off.

A whole new world starts in 3 days, and i betcha the boys are coming back for revenge.

[bandwagonboy]

What do the refs have against the giants? They're undisciplined and take stupid penalties at stupid times. Both of those 3 on 5's were warrented. The Giants were amoung the highest in penalty minutes through the regular season, and the tigers were amoung the lowest. And you could see why last night. There was no power play after the 2nd the refs just let the boys decide the game. And the giants got away with alot of cheese in the third and in the OT periods. A couple of elbows and several holds.

Why don't you give the better team a little bit of credit for a change? The G-men were the better team through 60 minutes, but the tigers hung in there through pure heart. And then as the game wore on, the Tiger's superior conditioning and heart was the difference. The tigers were winning nearly every battle through ot and clearly out hustled the giants at every turn. There's a reason marathon runners don't weigh 230lbs.

[Giantsfan]

Hey, Keetley was unreal, maybe the reason we lost, but at the same time, it doesn't take a genius to see how bias & poorly officiated this series was.

What's your view on the officiating? Did you think it was adequate? Did you think it was good?

Also, I'm sure if Franson was in, we would be the team that won. Take away Russell & the Tigers would be going in through the side door. Ya, that's a would've could've should've...but that's how I feel.

[Swando]

Anyone notice the early whistles at the Hat end vs Giants end. We had a disallowed goal due to an early whistle. Maybe it's sour grapes but JMO

[bandwagonboy]

The officiating last night was a total non entity. There were no power plays all from the 3rd period on. This game was completely and totally decided by the boys on the ice. As I said, I spotted numerous holds and elbows by vancouver during the OT and 3rd period, but the refs just said play on. I'm sure that the tigs got away with some cheese as well that I couldn't spot through the homer glasses. Bliznak's, Watt's, and Mahachek's penalties were all totally and completely flagrent.

Both tenders on both ends of the ice were very outstanding. Keetley a little more so, although sexsmith was tested alot more during OT. I posted this on the white board, and I'll say it again here. The difference between these two teams is conditioning and heart, or maybe conditioning and home ice advantage. The way I have it scored:

talent: even
speed: even
size: Clear advantage giants
goaltending: Slight advantage Tigers
conditioning: Clear advantage tigers
heart: Slight advantage tigers

The tigers held on for dear life through regulation, but as OT wore on the tigers started to out hit, out skate, and out work the giants. As I said before, there is a reason why you don't see any 230 lbs marathon runners. While through 60 minutes the giants superior size and strengh is a clear advantage, through 70, 80, and 90+ minutes all that bulk becomes a liablity. Not often does the shot count tell the whole tale, but with these teams in this series pretty nearly every shot is a quality chance. The shot total tells all. The G-men gave the tigers everything they could handle through regulation. The only thing that held them in there was Keetley and several big boosts from the crowd. through OT the giants were on their heels nearly the whole time. It was Sexsmith that held them in there.

[Tiger9]

What was the camera shot like on when the Vancouver player covered the puck in the crease, I think it was the first OT. I'm not trying to argue your point Swando, just want to know if they showed any replays of it or not?

[Soundy]

It was hard to tell which glove was whose, but it looked to me like the skater just pushed the puck back to Sexy's glove, and he covered it up. You could at least tell that he reeled it in finally, but it was hard to see exactly how it got there.

[langdak]

What was the camera shot like on when the Vancouver player covered the puck in the crease, I think it was the first OT. I'm not trying to argue your point Swando, just want to know if they showed any replays of it or not?


The puck was never covered by Bliznak's glove in the crease. He pushed it back to Sexsmith.

That is 100% truth, not being a homer at all, just calling that one like i saw it from the camera angle above the net.

[Soundy]

4 words "Hell of a game"

I'll drink to that! http://www.revscene.net/forums/images/smilies/more/5shots.gifhttp://forum.bloodredmetalheads.com/images/smiles/icon_alc.gifhttp://forum.bloodredmetalheads.com/images/smiles/icon_beerbang.gif

[Tiger9]

The puck was never covered by Bliznak's glove in the crease. He pushed it back to Sexsmith.

That is 100% truth, not being a homer at all, just calling that one like i saw it from the camera angle above the net.


Thanks, from my view it looked like he had covered it in the crease. I never saw Sexsmith touch it at all. Damn I wish we had a jumbotron with replays!! pfff how about a rink that is up-to-date period!!

[langdak]

Thanks, from my view it looked like he had covered it in the crease. I never saw Sexsmith touch it at all. Damn I wish we had a jumbotron with replays!! pfff how about a rink that is up-to-date period!!


But you guys have the "fog" option in the hat.............something a lot of buildings dont have :)

[Kassian]

What do the refs have against the giants? They're undisciplined and take stupid penalties at stupid times.

No they do not. Anybody that watched this team all year long wouldn't agree with that statement at all.

There were many times in this series where the Giants would get called for a very borderline penalty. You'd see a Tiger player do something very similiar and there was no call. A perfect example would be Russell. If any Giants player gave an opposing player a gloved punch two or three times in front of the net it's most likely a penalty. Russell got away with it two or three times a game.

I'm not blaming the officiating for last night's game. And I agree with most people the game was ultimately decided by the players for the third period and both overtimes. That's the way I like it and that's the way hockey should be played, IMO.

[rinkrat]

:dead: :( :confused:

That describes my day.

[C.F]

talent: even
speed: even
size: Clear advantage giants
goaltending: Slight advantage Tigers
conditioning: Clear advantage tigers
heart: Slight advantage tigers

The Tigers definitely have the speed advantage, and I don't buy the Tigers having more heart for a second.

Congrats to the Tigers, they deserved it with the way they played in OT. It's funny though, I still like the Giants chances more than the Tigers in the Memorial Cup. The Tigers have shown they're an inferior team in the road.

[Sauriol]

Hey, Keetley was unreal, maybe the reason we lost, but at the same time, it doesn't take a genius to see how bias & poorly officiated this series was.

What's your view on the officiating? Did you think it was adequate? Did you think it was good?

Also, I'm sure if Franson was in, we would be the team that won. Take away Russell & the Tigers would be going in through the side door. Ya, that's a would've could've should've...but that's how I feel.


haha stop talking

[bandwagonboy]

No they do not. Anybody that watched this team all year long wouldn't agree with that statement at all.

There were many times in this series where the Giants would get called for a very borderline penalty. You'd see a Tiger player do something very similiar and there was no call. A perfect example would be Russell. If any Giants player gave an opposing player a gloved punch two or three times in front of the net it's most likely a penalty. Russell got away with it two or three times a game.



I'm not sure why I'm continuing this arguement but yeah, actually they do take selfish penalties. The numbers don't lie. The giants were a highly penalized team.

As for Russell, he was constantly the victim of late hits, sticks in the face and every other boarderline physical play to put him off his game.

I'm sorry but there's no logical reason for the league and the refs to favour medicine Hat. Fact is the league prefers the large markets to the small, hence the extra TV coverage that markets like Calgary and Vancouver always get no matter how good or bad their teams are. If they were to tell the refs to call it one way or the other, it would be in Vancouver's favour.

And Medicine Hat has the clear albeit minor advantage in the cardiac department. The tigs were down by two games against a physically superior team that knows how to win, and in both games they came from behind to win. One game being double OT under terrible conditions, I don't know if they ever announced the tempeture in the arena but in spots it was probably 30+ degrees in there. I can well imagine the condition of the ice; which would only make life harder on a team that lives and dies by it's speed. Through most parts of the first 60 in every game however the giants were more than able to keep up to the tiger's pace, and there's nary a team in this league that can say that, there's certainly no team in this league of the giant's size that can come close to saying that.

[Kassian]

I'm not sure why I'm continuing this arguement but yeah, actually they do take selfish penalties. The numbers don't lie. The giants were a highly penalized team.

So after watching one seven game series you are all of a sudden a Giants expert? Please.

Numbers and stats can be misleading. Keep in mind the Giants had more fighting majors than the Tigers. That alone will make their penalty minute totals higher. And that doesn't mean the Giants are an undisciplined team. Taking another player off the ice for five minutes still keeps the man power even.


As for Russell, he was constantly the victim of late hits, sticks in the face and every other boarderline physical play to put him off his game.

So that warrants him to get away with gloved punches after every whistle? Sorry but it does not. There is no excuses for that. The fact is Russell got away with a lot that most other players would not have gotten away with.


I'm sorry but there's no logical reason for the league and the refs to favour medicine Hat. Fact is the league prefers the large markets to the small, hence the extra TV coverage that markets like Calgary and Vancouver always get no matter how good or bad their teams are. If they were to tell the refs to call it one way or the other, it would be in Vancouver's favour.

When did I say the league or the officials favored Medicine Hat? I didn't. Nor do I feel as though there is some conspiracy. I'm just simply stating that I found it strange how the Tigers ended up with four or five more PP's in a few of the games when in reality it wasn't a case of the Giants being undisciplined. I know you'll disagree with that but to each his own. All I know is I saw Medicine Hat get away with many more late punches and cross checks than the Giants.

I'm fine with the officials not calling anything during a scrum in front of the net. In fact I prefer the officials letting all of that go and only calling the infractions that potentially deny a legit scoring opportunity. But in this series the Tigers got away with a lot more in front of their net than the Giants did.

Once again I'm not trying to make any excuses and if you've read some of my other posts I've given Medicine Hat all the credit in the world. My only complaint is the fact that the Tigers got many more PP opportunities and ultimately that played a factor. Maybe not in game 7 but it did throughout the entire series.

[Giantsfan]

To say the Tiger's had more heart is ridiculous. Once again, take away Russell for the 6th game & the series would've been over. Hell, if we had Hunt, the series probably would be over in 5, because of his tenacity, & recklessness & he intimidates defenseman who panic & move the puck because they don't wanna get hit.
Also, I saw so many times Anus, duck away from hits, & a few others as well. Obviously, they didn't wanna take a hit to make a play, showing they have no heart.

[Knuckles Muldoon]

:dead: :( :confused:

That describes my day.
Mine started with :dead: and just hasn't gotten any better. I hoped I'd feel a little better this morning than I did last night, but it didn't happen. My enthusiasm is through the floor about the MemCup. I don't know if I can even bring myself to go to any of the games. I'm expecting that I'll pick myself up and make it out to the game Friday, but after that, I just don't know.

[Giantsfan]

Nobody answered my question...why is a ref from Medicine Hat reffing a game involving Medicine Hat.

Don't forget, Rehman was the "ref" who shafted us in the Memorial Cup when he didn't call Bourdon spearing Brule when he was standing 10 feet away looking directly at it. Just another example of bias officiating.

[old_time_hockey]

Mine started with :dead: and just hasn't gotten any better. I hoped I'd feel a little better this morning than I did last night, but it didn't happen. My enthusiasm is through the floor about the MemCup. I don't know if I can even bring myself to go to any of the games. I'm expecting that I'll pick myself up and make it out to the game Friday, but after that, I just don't know.

Come on dude....I'll buy you a beverage at the game and then we can rock out to 54-40

[Knuckles Muldoon]

Nobody answered my question...why is a ref from Medicine Hat reffing a game involving Medicine Hat.

Don't forget, Rehman was the "ref" who shafted us in the Memorial Cup when he didn't call Bourdon spearing Brule when he was standing 10 feet away looking directly at it. Just another example of bias officiating.
Show's over, man. Forget about it.

[Knuckles Muldoon]

Come on dude....I'll buy you a beverage at the game and then we can rock out to 54-40
Sorry K, not happening. :(

[bandwagonboy]

So after watching one seven game series you are all of a sudden a Giants expert? Please.

How about one seven game series, several games versus chiliwack, and several games versus PG, and several regular season games. The giants were televised more than the tigers were, remember? Again, the league favours big markets, that's well documented.






So that warrants him to get away with gloved punches after every whistle? Sorry but it does not. There is no excuses for that. The fact is Russell got away with a lot that most other players would not have gotten away with.

Any more than that warrents all the crap that guys like Festerling, Watt, Mcardle and others got away with on him? 3/4 of the time those guys threw a hit on russell is was either late, stick high, couple extra steps or elbows up. But everytime Russell threw a gloved shot to the shoulder a half a dozen giants fans would come here and start whining and moaning about how Russell should be the only one in the box.




When did I say the league or the officials favored Medicine Hat?

A good number of you guys are doing nothing but ref blaming. Giving no credt whatsoever. A good number of you are giving less credit to the tigers than tiger fans, tiger fans with extremely bad reps who are known as poor sportsman have been giving to the giants. Example: http://www.whlfans.ca/showthread.php?t=12237

All that is missing from that thread is an offer from Oliver Stone to buy the movie rights.


I didn't. Nor do I feel as though there is some conspiracy. I'm just simply stating that I found it strange how the Tigers ended up with four or five more PP's in a few of the games when in reality it wasn't a case of the Giants being undisciplined. I know you'll disagree with that but to each his own. All I know is I saw Medicine Hat get away with many more late punches and cross checks than the Giants.

The tigers aren't as physical as the giants. If your game plan is to knock your oppenent through the boards you're going to take penalties. That's all there is to it. The tiger game plan is to try to out skate and out work you. Obviously if they are on (like they were last night) they probably won't get whistled as much. In game seven every one of Vancouver's first 4 penalties were blatant and obvious. And Regner's DOG penalty speaks for itself, unless you want to claim that willy used the force to lift the puck over the boards.


To say the Tiger's had more heart is ridiculous. Once again, take away Russell for the 6th game & the series would've been over. Hell, if we had Hunt, the series probably would be over in 5, because of his tenacity, & recklessness & he intimidates defenseman who panic & move the puck because they don't wanna get hit.
Also, I saw so many times Anus, duck away from hits, & a few others as well. Obviously, they didn't wanna take a hit to make a play, showing they have no heart.

The tigers beat a physically superior team two games in a row, both times coming from behind. That automatically equals more heart.

Yeah right. Defensemen like Russell and Schlemko, they're always panicing with the puck. Get a freaking clue.

Neither Franson or Hunt mean as much to the the giants as Russell does to the tigers. Franson hasn't been franson all this calender year. He's been a bust since the world juniors. 7 points in 19 playoff games means he was nearly invisible.

As for forwards like 'Ennis', Bosch, and whoever else you think is cowardly, 9 times out of ten when they avoided the hit they still managed to make the play. Unlike Watt who stood there and took it and coughed up the puck when they got hit. Three small forwards who you think are cowards were the one's who put the nail in the giants coffin on monday. While guys like Watt, Lucic, Mahachek, Mcardle and Rabbit were floating around looking as though they needed a heart transplant during OT 'cowards' like Ennis, Bosch, and Todd were flying around those guys creating scoring chance after scoring chance.


Willy knows how to beat the giants, and the players know exactly what it takes to get it done. I look forward to seeing the tigers spoil the party.

[C.F]

The tigers beat a physically superior team two games in a row, both times coming from behind. That automatically equals more heart.


That's a ridiculous statement. The Tigers may be smaller, but they are also quicker, and like you(or another Tiger fan) said, are much better suited for a long OT. Suggesting the Tigers have more heart is silly. You're reasoning is even worse. I'll give the Tigers all the credit in the world for a deserving victory, but you couldn't be more wrong about questioning the Giants heart.


Willy knows how to beat the giants, and the players know exactly what it takes to get it done. I look forward to seeing the tigers spoil the party. [/quote]Do you really expect anyone to take you seriously when you come into opposing territory with that smug attitude. Props to admitting you lack of class though, I suppose.

Unfortunately for MH, the Tigers won't have their home barn to fall back on like they have in the playoffs. I won't doubt the Tigers chances, but it should at least be a matter of concern for you Tiger fans.

[ynot]

The complaining about the reffing sure gets monotonous; and I mean this in general....not just about this series. When a play and a call are made during a game, we all see it differently through our rose colored glasses. Everyone should know by now that it is a part of the game! It goes both ways and the team you cheer for, will depend on which team got the hardship! Just spend some time reading all the posts in here to prove my point!

People go on so much about the reffing when they could just as easily comment about if a player had given just that extra burst of speed, or if he shot just a little lower he wouldn't have hit the crossbar, or if he had just covered his man better!

Quit complaining and thank both teams for 7 entertaining games of hockey! Like I posted previously, neither one of these teams deserved to come up on the short end. Bite your lip and wish them both good luck and hopefully the cup is out West for the next year!

[Soundy]

Alright ladies, retract claws...

http://www.pusscats.com/Cat_Fight.jpg


Say, did anyone else notice that ALL the teams the Giants have played in the playoffs have been big furry animals?

Bruins, Silvertips, Cougars and Tigers, oh my!

[Soundy]

Quit complaining and thank both teams for 7 entertaining games of hockey! Like I posted previously, neither one of these teams deserved to come up on the short end. Bite your lip and wish them both good luck and hopefully the cup is out West for the next year!

Amen, brother!

I remember in game 7 of the Canucks/Stars series, Harry Neale actually had one really intelligent and salient comment: the worst thing about the end of the series was that one of two REALLY GREAT goaltenders wasn't going to move on to the next round...

Same goes (sort of) for this series: two REALLY GREAT teams treated us to some REALLY GREAT hockey, and it's just a shame that it had to end with one of them losing (although both get to "go on" to the next round, as it were).

Let's enjoy it for what it is, shall we?

[C.F]

Alright ladies, retract claws...

Say, did anyone else notice that ALL the teams the Giants have played in the playoffs have been big furry animals?

Bruins, Silvertips, Cougars and Tigers, oh my!

Silvertips? haha

[Soundy]

Silvertips? haha

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly_bear

[Kassian]

How about one seven game series, several games versus chiliwack, and several games versus PG, and several regular season games. The giants were televised more than the tigers were, remember? Again, the league favours big markets, that's well documented.

Still there were several games you didn't see. Once again I disagree with the point you are trying to make. And that's fine if you have a different opinion. I'm not trying to say your opinion is wrong.


Any more than that warrents all the crap that guys like Festerling, Watt, Mcardle and others got away with on him? 3/4 of the time those guys threw a hit on russell is was either late, stick high, couple extra steps or elbows up.

Hardly. Festerling didn't even hit Russell much at all and McArdle didn't do anything that was worse than late punches Russell threw at nearly every Giants forward. Of course he didn't seem as interested when a Giants player took offense to that. I'll agree that Watt does get his hands up high (sometimes his elbow as well) when he throws hits. But Watt will back up his actions. Russell does not.


But everytime Russell threw a gloved shot to the shoulder a half a dozen giants fans would come here and start whining and moaning about how Russell should be the only one in the box.

Nobody is saying Russell is the only player that should be in the box. But the fact is Russell got away with much more than most Giants players. If Blum or Festerling threw two or three gloved punches after a whistle they'd be in the box 9 out of 10 times. Russell got away with it about a dozen times during this series. Either call it both ways or don't call it at all. That's all I'm asking for.


The tigers aren't as physical as the giants. If your game plan is to knock your oppenent through the boards you're going to take penalties.

At times, yes. Especially this day and age when physical play is being called more often than in the past. But this has nothing to do with what I'm talking about. A lot of the penalties the Giants got called for were weak tripping calls or the Lucic "roughing" penalty when Dorsett bumped into him when the puck wasn't even around either player. Not to mention the slashing penalty he got when he barely tapped a Tiger player in the back of the leg in game two. The Tigers never got called for any of that kind of crap. And if you think it's because it didn't happen you are really being a homer.

Once again I am not blaming the officiating for the Giants losing the series. As far as I'm concerned the Giants had the series in their hands heading into game 6. They weren't able to finish it off and in the end it certainly cost them.

[bandwagonboy]

That's a ridiculous statement. The Tigers may be smaller, but they are also quicker, and like you(or another Tiger fan) said, are much better suited for a long OT. Suggesting the Tigers have more heart is silly. You're reasoning is even worse. I'll give the Tigers all the credit in the world for a deserving victory, but you couldn't be more wrong about questioning the Giants heart.

I give the giants all the credit in the world for having alot of heart. There would have been no 2 long OT's had they didn't. But the tigers have just a little bit more heart, obviously. They came out on top on a game like that says volumes.



Do you really expect anyone to take you seriously when you come into opposing territory with that smug attitude. Props to admitting you lack of class though, I suppose.

Unfortunately for MH, the Tigers won't have their home barn to fall back on like they have in the playoffs. I won't doubt the Tigers chances, but it should at least be a matter of concern for you Tiger fans.

I really don't care if you take me seriously or not. Refering to a player as 'Anus' when he hasn't thrown a single cheap shot all series long and who's only crime is having the nerve of being quicker and more skilled shows no class whatsover.

My attitude isn't smug, I respect the hell out of the giants. They are one hell of a team and yeah, the fact that we aren't playing in the arena does concern me. But the tigers players and coaches have seen what it takes and will get it done. I just don't carry much respect for alot of the fans. Blaming the ref constantly is stupid and childish. Saying that Savage is from Medicine Hat and will natuarally side with the tigers shows just how little knowledge someone actually has of the situation. Savage can't stand the Medicine Hat faithful, and goes out of his way to prove that he doesn't favour them. He has pondered leaving reffing behind because of the constant harassement that he and his family recieves off the ice in Medicine hat. Every team that plays a game that savage refs gets screwed by his incompitence. Not just the giants. And he certainly doesn't favour the tigers.

[Kassian]

I give the giants all the credit in the world for having alot of heart. There would have been no 2 long OT's had they didn't. But the tigers have just a little bit more heart, obviously. They came out on top on a game like that says volumes.

The Tigers coming out on out top has nothing to do with them having more heart than the Giants. That's just a ridiculous comment no matter which way you look at it. You wouldn't see many Giants fans saying the Giants have more heart if they won the game. It just comes across as being very arrogant. There are many more factors that come into play that likely made the difference in game seven before you can even try and claim one team has more heart than the other. The fact that Medicine Hat has more speed, and the fact they were playing at home were much bigger factors than the heart of either team. Not to mention the Tigers had a fairly healthy line up and were playing with six defensemen. Whether you agree or not, not having Cody Franson in the line up for the final two and a half games does play a factor. It isn't like we're talking about a fifth or sixth defenseman here. Franson can be an impact player and he certainly could've made the difference for the Giants.

[bandwagonboy]

At times, yes. Especially this day and age when physical play is being called more often than in the past. But this has nothing to do with what I'm talking about. A lot of the penalties the Giants got called for were weak tripping calls or the Lucic "roughing" penalty when Dorsett bumped into him when the puck wasn't even around either player. Not to mention the slashing penalty he got when he barely tapped a Tiger player in the back of the leg in game two. The Tigers never got called for any of that kind of crap. And if you think it's because it didn't happen you are really being a homer.

Once again I am not blaming the officiating for the Giants losing the series. As far as I'm concerned the Giants had the series in their hands heading into game 6. They weren't able to finish it off and in the end it certainly cost them.

There's alot to reply to here and alot we should just agree to disagree with here. I agree that some of the calls, especially some of the stuff you are mentioning from earlier in the series was baffling. The tigs got alot of the calls in game 2 which was herman and savage. Someone is going to get pooched when those two are on the ice and the tigs got lucky that it was vancouver. Still, champs play through bad calls. I personally think it all came out in the wash however, any penalties the tigers were able to draw and benifit from probably cancel out some other stuff that should have been called, like late hits on russell, the Watt hit that should have been a 5 minute match penalty and such.

[Kassian]

There's alot to reply to here and alot we should just agree to disagree with here. I agree that some of the calls, especially some of the stuff you are mentioning from earlier in the series was baffling. The tigs got alot of the calls in game 2 which was herman and savage. Someone is going to get pooched when those two are on the ice and the tigs got lucky that it was vancouver. Still, champs play through bad calls. I personally think it all came out in the wash however, any penalties the tigers were able to draw and benifit from probably cancel out some other stuff that should have been called, like late hits on russell, the Watt hit that should have been a 5 minute match penalty and such.

That's fine. I have no problem agreeing to disagree. I'm not here trying to point the finger and make excuses as to why the Giants lost. The series is over, as a Giants fan I can't say I'm disappointed in the team I thought they played their hearts out and unfortunately they lost in the end. Medicine Hat deserves all the credit in the world and I'm happy for them and their fans.

The only thing I can complain about is that I thought Medicine Hat got more chances on the PP. I don't expect every single game to have the same amount of PP's for each team. But I think one team having 7 or 8 chances and the other team only having 2 or 3 chances is a little ridiculous. And I don't think that simply comes down to discipline (or lack there of).

Either way what's done is done. It was still an entertaining series in my books.

[bandwagonboy]

The Tigers coming out on out top has nothing to do with them having more heart than the Giants. That's just a ridiculous comment no matter which way you look at it. You wouldn't see many Giants fans saying the Giants have more heart if they won the game. It just comes across as being very arrogant. There are many more factors that come into play that likely made the difference in game seven before you can even try and claim one team has more heart than the other. The fact that Medicine Hat has more speed, and the fact they were playing at home were much bigger factors than the heart of either team. Not to mention the Tigers had a fairly healthy line up and were playing with six defensemen. Whether you agree or not, not having Cody Franson in the line up for the final two and a half games does play a factor. It isn't like we're talking about a fifth or sixth defenseman here. Franson can be an impact player and he certainly could've made the difference for the Giants.

But franson hasn't been an impact player, for the most parts. He's shown signs of being franson from time to time but for the most part he's been invisible.

I've said from the start this one would come down to heart, and it has. If the g-men took it to the tigers all through the two OT's and then came up with the winner I would be saying the same thing, only I'd be saying it's the G-men with more heart.

Both these teams are almost completely equal. If we were to play another 7 game series after both teams had time to lick their wounds we'd probably see another game seven and another lenghty OT to decide it. Both teams have a ton of heart, only the fact that the tigers were outmatched through regulation and held on shows that they have a little bit more.

[rinkrat]

I just don't carry much respect for alot of the fans.
Are you basing your opinion of Giants fans on the 5 or 10 posters on here?
Please be a little more objective. ;)



BTW was that you posting about moving here? (I saw something that got edited)
I was going to say "Can't beat em,you gotta join em", but that doesn't fly anymore. LOL
Congrats, boy I had a rough day. Boogaard'd

[C.F]

I give the giants all the credit in the world for having alot of heart. There would have been no 2 long OT's had they didn't. But the tigers have just a little bit more heart, obviously. They came out on top on a game like that says volumes.Winning the series doesn't mean you have more heart. Like you pointed out, the game went to double OT. So if the Giant's post shot goes in in OT, do the Giants have more heart? Not at all. Both teams displayed an equal desire to win the WHL championship, heart wasn't the difference-maker.


I really don't care if you take me seriously or not. Refering to a player as 'Anus' when he hasn't thrown a single cheap shot all series long and who's only crime is having the nerve of being quicker and more skilled shows no class whatsover.

My attitude isn't smug, I respect the hell out of the giants. They are one hell of a team and yeah, the fact that we aren't playing in the arena does concern me. But the tigers players and coaches have seen what it takes and will get it done. I just don't carry much respect for alot of the fans. Blaming the ref constantly is stupid and childish. Saying that Savage is from Medicine Hat and will natuarally side with the tigers shows just how little knowledge someone actually has of the situation. Savage can't stand the Medicine Hat faithful, and goes out of his way to prove that he doesn't favour them. He has pondered leaving reffing behind because of the constant harassement that he and his family recieves off the ice in Medicine hat. Every team that plays a game that savage refs gets screwed by his incompitence. Not just the giants. And he certainly doesn't favour the tigers.That was one poster that referred to a player as "Anus", and I can guarantee the vast majority of Giants fans don't blame the series loss on officiating. You're making some very rash generizations, and considering it's on opposing territory, is quite childish if you ask me. Making fun of Lucic's back problem and McArdle's speaking deficiency is quite classless as well, but I'll be mature enough to realize that those fans are a minority that every team has.

I'm done bickering, I'm far too excited for the Memorial Cup to be arguing!

[bandwagonboy]

Are you basing your opinion of Giants fans on the 5 or 10 posters on here?
Please be a little more objective. ;)



BTW was that you posting about moving here? (I saw something that got edited)
I was going to say "Can't beat em,you gotta join em", but that doesn't fly anymore. LOL
Congrats, boy I had a rough day. Boogaard'd

Yup, they keep talking about moving me out to 'couver as they need the manpower, but who knows, they certainly don't. Originally I was supposed to fly out to 'couver on the sunday morning of the final memorial cup game, now I'm supposed to be in Edmonton. Who knows what it will be tomorrow.

And I'm sorry you're having a tough one. Neither fans from either team should feel disapointed. Both these teams could have mailed it in but they left it all on the ice. And the difference between these teams are miniscule at best.

If the tigers can do what the did in game 7, weather the storm phyiscally and have keetley stand on his head and get the game into extra frames again, we'll take it. But, that's easier said than done.

[Kassian]

But franson hasn't been an impact player, for the most parts. He's shown signs of being franson from time to time but for the most part he's been invisible.

I agree for the most part. Franson didn't have the best season but he's still a threat. He's the QB on the PP, he can sneak into the play as well as any defenseman and he has a hell of a shot. Not to mention he has experience winning a championship before. But the fact is he's still one of the Giants best defensemen and he would've logged more minutes and possibly put less strain on some of the younger rookies that had to play in tough situations. Not that they didn't perform well but having that extra guy like Franson would have made a difference. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not saying they definitely would have won if Franson was playing. I didn't think Russell played overly great in this series either but I'd be a fool to claim the Tigers shots of winning would be better without him in the line up. The same should be said for Franson, IMO.


I've said from the start this one would come down to heart, and it has. If the g-men took it to the tigers all through the two OT's and then came up with the winner I would be saying the same thing, only I'd be saying it's the G-men with more heart.

Well I completely disagree. Like I said there were many factors that played a bigger part in the outcome of the game other than the heart of either team as I mentioned earlier.

[bandwagonboy]

That was one poster that referred to a player as "Anus", and I can guarantee the vast majority of Giants fans don't blame the series loss on officiating. You're making some very rash generizations, and considering it's on opposing territory, is quite childish if you ask me. Making fun of Lucic's back problem and McArdle's speaking deficiency is quite classless as well, but I'll be mature enough to realize that those fans are a minority that every team has.

I'm done bickering, I'm far too excited for the Memorial Cup to be arguing!

Actually there's just far too many posters from Medicine Hat saying crap like that and they deserve to be taken to the woodshed too. I'm just too tired of exposing their ignorance to do it anymore. I gave up that fight months ago.

I don't see why this is considered 'opposing territory'. If the point to this message board is to discuss then all of the forums should be open for all sorts of varying opinions.

We will have to agree to disagree on the heart issue. I think that being second best to the tigers in any catagory isn't something to be ashamed of. Had the tigers came out second best to the giants I certainly wouldn't be ashamed to say it.

[C.F]

Actually there's just far too many posters from Medicine Hat saying crap like that and they deserve to be taken to the woodshed too. I'm just too tired of exposing their ignorance to do it anymore. I gave up that fight months ago.

I don't see why this is considered 'opposing territory'. If the point to this message board is to discuss then all of the forums should be open for all sorts of varying opinions.

We will have to agree to disagree on the heart issue. I think that being second best to the tigers in any catagory isn't something to be ashamed of. Had the tigers came out second best to the giants I certainly wouldn't be ashamed to say it.Don't me wrong, the more variety of fans and opinions the better, that wasn't the point I was trying to make. It's trolling that I have an issue with.

Agree to disagree then.

[rinkrat]

C'mon its over. I thought the boys got screwed by the refs too. But its over.
Congratulations Tigers. Our boys gave it every ounce of energy they had. They laid it on the line for themselves and for us,when you hear enemy fans commending your team for a great game and series that means something.
They came up just short,but the boys are #1 in my eyes.
Its been a heck of a season so far and now we get the gravy.
I hope the boys play nice and relaxed,there is no pressure and I hope they win!
GO GIANTS GO

[dondo]

correction they were screwed over int he first and then it got better. The G-Men weathered the storm and the goals on the PP were even. I almost think that the Giants need to thank their PK for energizing them to play harder in period two.

By the end of the game the reffing was really a non-factor -- both teams took liberties, but neither crossed the line and the refs let them play.

A bounce one way or the other, a shot a bit lower on either side and its done -- game 7 is a crap shoot.. if both teams play with heart and commitment its down to fortunes and being able to capitalise. the Tigers got an opportunity and made it work, it could have happened to either team anytime in the OTs.

It sucks but that's the way it is -- after the first -- reffing was a non-issue.