dondo
12-12-2010, 08:35 PM
Broncos Stomp Giants
Vancouver 1 Swift Current 4
The Giants had a chance to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Spokane where their goalie seemed to be the only player to show up. Unfortunately they came out soft and stayed that way for the game. Despite out shooting the Broncos the Giants were behind the play most of the time giving the visitors a 4-goal bulge before breaking Mark Friesen’s shutout bid. Without Gallagher in their line-up, as he has gone to the Canadian World Juniors camp, the G’s were anaemic and toothless and instead of stepping it up and really bringing it they sat back and let the game happen to them. This team is simply not good enough to play that way. They did not get stellar net minding and were not working hard enough to even try for a win. The arena was not unlike a library as the hometown fans were sucked out of the game early. Segal was back between the pipes, but it appears as if he had shot his bolt the night before as he allowed 3 goals on 9 shots, lasting only one period before being replaced by Brendan Jensen who should probably have got the start in the second game of a back-to-back.
The visitors opened the scoring in the first on the PP off a shot by Brad Hoban. Kyle Verdino made it 2-0 a few minutes later and then Dillon Wagner made it 3-0 before the first period buzzer. That chased Segal from the net. Shots were even, but the chances were not. Jensen allowed a PP marker 45 seconds into the third, off of Taylor Vause. Henry scored one past the midway mark to deny the goose egg, but that is as close as the home squad would get. New Giants Brendan Rowinski and Mark Reners got the helpers.
Rookie Watch: Hart was a +1 with a couple of PIMs. Sward and Franson even and Bellerive was –1.
Fight Night: nada
Zebra Cage: meh – it was okay
The Giants out-shot the Broncos 27-21 and were 0 for 4 on the PP, while Swift Current went 2 for 6. Craig Cunningham was pointless and a –2, both of those being a great rarity for the top player. Despite scoring Henry was –1 in the game. The boys didn’t really show up in this one, got behind early and didn’t really fight to get back into the game when it was still possible. Friesen was not forced to be very good. The Giants lack of scoring and defensive depth might be showing some of their cracks. Add some significant injuries and they really have to battle every shift to stay in the hunt.
The Giants end their home stand with a less than preferred record. They are 3-4-0-3 in their last 10 and have not looked good in their losses. Their shootout is pathetic, which is no surprise considering that Don Hay doesn’t really believe in the shootout (and I’m on his side with that one – I hate the freaking thing) and as such doesn’t work it as much as he probably should. Now they have an uphill climb before the Christmas break with three tough contests on the road. Starting in Everett, for yet another tilt versus the Silvertips then continuing on to Tri-Cities and Spokane, who have been deadly at home. Without Gallagher in their line-up they are going to be in tough and will need to find scoring from their young prospects. Cunner has to rediscover his scoring touch and carry this team for a while. Its possible that should they get some luck and great goaltending on the road that they could forge a bit more chemistry, which they will need as the season progresses.
Three Stars
1. Taylor Vause
2. Kyle Verdino
3. Justin Dowling
Dondo’s Doghouse: the whole freaking team – its gonna get crowded in there if this keeps up. Segal has had yet another chance to really take reins and keep the starter’s job, but he still is too inconsistent to be the go-to guy and considering his age he really is not the future unless the last couple of games before this tilt becomes the norm and not the exception. Hayzer sent the wrong message by starting him in back-to-back games; Segal has to stay hungry to stay competitive.
Vancouver 1 Swift Current 4
The Giants had a chance to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Spokane where their goalie seemed to be the only player to show up. Unfortunately they came out soft and stayed that way for the game. Despite out shooting the Broncos the Giants were behind the play most of the time giving the visitors a 4-goal bulge before breaking Mark Friesen’s shutout bid. Without Gallagher in their line-up, as he has gone to the Canadian World Juniors camp, the G’s were anaemic and toothless and instead of stepping it up and really bringing it they sat back and let the game happen to them. This team is simply not good enough to play that way. They did not get stellar net minding and were not working hard enough to even try for a win. The arena was not unlike a library as the hometown fans were sucked out of the game early. Segal was back between the pipes, but it appears as if he had shot his bolt the night before as he allowed 3 goals on 9 shots, lasting only one period before being replaced by Brendan Jensen who should probably have got the start in the second game of a back-to-back.
The visitors opened the scoring in the first on the PP off a shot by Brad Hoban. Kyle Verdino made it 2-0 a few minutes later and then Dillon Wagner made it 3-0 before the first period buzzer. That chased Segal from the net. Shots were even, but the chances were not. Jensen allowed a PP marker 45 seconds into the third, off of Taylor Vause. Henry scored one past the midway mark to deny the goose egg, but that is as close as the home squad would get. New Giants Brendan Rowinski and Mark Reners got the helpers.
Rookie Watch: Hart was a +1 with a couple of PIMs. Sward and Franson even and Bellerive was –1.
Fight Night: nada
Zebra Cage: meh – it was okay
The Giants out-shot the Broncos 27-21 and were 0 for 4 on the PP, while Swift Current went 2 for 6. Craig Cunningham was pointless and a –2, both of those being a great rarity for the top player. Despite scoring Henry was –1 in the game. The boys didn’t really show up in this one, got behind early and didn’t really fight to get back into the game when it was still possible. Friesen was not forced to be very good. The Giants lack of scoring and defensive depth might be showing some of their cracks. Add some significant injuries and they really have to battle every shift to stay in the hunt.
The Giants end their home stand with a less than preferred record. They are 3-4-0-3 in their last 10 and have not looked good in their losses. Their shootout is pathetic, which is no surprise considering that Don Hay doesn’t really believe in the shootout (and I’m on his side with that one – I hate the freaking thing) and as such doesn’t work it as much as he probably should. Now they have an uphill climb before the Christmas break with three tough contests on the road. Starting in Everett, for yet another tilt versus the Silvertips then continuing on to Tri-Cities and Spokane, who have been deadly at home. Without Gallagher in their line-up they are going to be in tough and will need to find scoring from their young prospects. Cunner has to rediscover his scoring touch and carry this team for a while. Its possible that should they get some luck and great goaltending on the road that they could forge a bit more chemistry, which they will need as the season progresses.
Three Stars
1. Taylor Vause
2. Kyle Verdino
3. Justin Dowling
Dondo’s Doghouse: the whole freaking team – its gonna get crowded in there if this keeps up. Segal has had yet another chance to really take reins and keep the starter’s job, but he still is too inconsistent to be the go-to guy and considering his age he really is not the future unless the last couple of games before this tilt becomes the norm and not the exception. Hayzer sent the wrong message by starting him in back-to-back games; Segal has to stay hungry to stay competitive.