dondo
12-04-2011, 01:42 AM
Giants Ride Broncos
Vancouver 3 Swift Current 2
The Giants finished their road trip with four wins, only one regulation loss and one extra time loss in six games, getting 9 out of a possible 12 points. They came out fairly strong early in tonight’s tilt, but faltered down the stretch managing to eke out the win in regulation under a bit of an onslaught by the end. Cain Franson had two goals and Martinook added another in the game. They badly squandered multiple PP chances as the Broncos were frequently undisciplined and the refs quick to make calls. Jackson Houck had a good game, creating chances with a hard forecheck and solid hits. Adam Morrison had to be good in the third to keep his team ahead.
Jordan Martinook opened the scoring in the first off Anthony Ast and David Musil. Swift Current tied it up a few minutes later. The Giants regained the lead as Houck laid the body in the Broncos end, springing the puck loose. Franson picked up the loose puck and beat Jon Groenheyde. Franson added a marker playing on the second PP unit. Houck and Ast got the helpers. The Broncos had all of the pressure in the third and managed to get one back, but could not tie the game, due primarily to some solid netminding by Morrison.
Rookie Watch: Houck (16) had a good game, one assist, created another with a good check. played some PP minutes. Ast (16) two assist and looked dangerous a lot of the time. Sward (17) moments, but nothing big. Bellerive (17) had some good shifts. Orban (17) okay on the back-end, trouble clearing his zone at times. Kulak (17) +2, on the ice for most of the goals very solid on the back-end playing lots of minutes. Bews (17) okay. Vetterl (17) minimal minutes.
Fight Night: Fenske v Muth okay fight, Fenske with the take-down. Orban v Dale, Makin v Derko (both combatants were given game misconducts for being the second fight)
Zebra Cage: Chris Crich and Trent Knorr. Seemed pretty quick with the whistle tonight, called some soft stuff and few invisibles. Probably could have let some of that go by the wayside. Seemed consistent though.
The Giants out shot the Broncos 32-21, went 1 for 8 on the PP and held the Broncos to 0 for 6. The G’s got into that dumb over-passing rut on their PP against the worst PK in the league. They gave themselves a tough time setting up in the offensive zone, were frequently sloppy with the puck and often made some very low-percentage plays along the blue-line. The pressure was usually from the outside and the top unit rarely made it to the net with any pressure. In my mind they really let the Broncos off of the hook for some of the infractions they had taken and gave them hope in the third, when they really just should have been working on burying them early. The G’s played 6 games in 9 nights and it felt as if they had run out of steam by the final frame and hung on by their very fingernails.
Houck had a complete game, with a few gaffes. Ast seems to finding more of his stride and is being rewarded for his efforts with ice time and opportunities on special teams. Franson continues to be a threat with 27 points in 31 games, after getting minimal points last season as a 17 yr old. It’s nice to see he has found his game and is willing to play hard at both ends and use his scoring touch to help the team, get clutch chances and contribute. Gallagher had some chances tonight, but the top line suffered from a bit of missed chemistry, often failing to finish that pass or get that goal. Martinook continues to consistently put up points and seemed a threat most every shift tonight. I am happy that he is really growing into the Machacek-like power-forward we all know he can become.
The Giants have a 17 hr bus ride back home, but will get a few days off for rest and practice before returning to the ice at the Coliseum on Friday Dec 9th for their teddy bear toss night versus the Portland Winterhawks. Wes Vannieuwenhuizen will not return until the game on the 10th as he is still serving a very bogus 3 game suspension for fighting at the end of a game. Note: the game is not at its usual Friday time, but will start at 7pm PST (not 7:30), remember that new time and don’t forget to bring your teddy bear for charity, to launch onto the ice after the Giants first goal.
Three Stars
1. Cain Franson
2. Graham Black
3. Anthony Ast
Dondo’s Hardhat: goes to .. Franson, two goals, and great effort all over the ice. Honourable Mention: Houck .. some good checks and created chances with his physical game.
Vancouver 3 Swift Current 2
The Giants finished their road trip with four wins, only one regulation loss and one extra time loss in six games, getting 9 out of a possible 12 points. They came out fairly strong early in tonight’s tilt, but faltered down the stretch managing to eke out the win in regulation under a bit of an onslaught by the end. Cain Franson had two goals and Martinook added another in the game. They badly squandered multiple PP chances as the Broncos were frequently undisciplined and the refs quick to make calls. Jackson Houck had a good game, creating chances with a hard forecheck and solid hits. Adam Morrison had to be good in the third to keep his team ahead.
Jordan Martinook opened the scoring in the first off Anthony Ast and David Musil. Swift Current tied it up a few minutes later. The Giants regained the lead as Houck laid the body in the Broncos end, springing the puck loose. Franson picked up the loose puck and beat Jon Groenheyde. Franson added a marker playing on the second PP unit. Houck and Ast got the helpers. The Broncos had all of the pressure in the third and managed to get one back, but could not tie the game, due primarily to some solid netminding by Morrison.
Rookie Watch: Houck (16) had a good game, one assist, created another with a good check. played some PP minutes. Ast (16) two assist and looked dangerous a lot of the time. Sward (17) moments, but nothing big. Bellerive (17) had some good shifts. Orban (17) okay on the back-end, trouble clearing his zone at times. Kulak (17) +2, on the ice for most of the goals very solid on the back-end playing lots of minutes. Bews (17) okay. Vetterl (17) minimal minutes.
Fight Night: Fenske v Muth okay fight, Fenske with the take-down. Orban v Dale, Makin v Derko (both combatants were given game misconducts for being the second fight)
Zebra Cage: Chris Crich and Trent Knorr. Seemed pretty quick with the whistle tonight, called some soft stuff and few invisibles. Probably could have let some of that go by the wayside. Seemed consistent though.
The Giants out shot the Broncos 32-21, went 1 for 8 on the PP and held the Broncos to 0 for 6. The G’s got into that dumb over-passing rut on their PP against the worst PK in the league. They gave themselves a tough time setting up in the offensive zone, were frequently sloppy with the puck and often made some very low-percentage plays along the blue-line. The pressure was usually from the outside and the top unit rarely made it to the net with any pressure. In my mind they really let the Broncos off of the hook for some of the infractions they had taken and gave them hope in the third, when they really just should have been working on burying them early. The G’s played 6 games in 9 nights and it felt as if they had run out of steam by the final frame and hung on by their very fingernails.
Houck had a complete game, with a few gaffes. Ast seems to finding more of his stride and is being rewarded for his efforts with ice time and opportunities on special teams. Franson continues to be a threat with 27 points in 31 games, after getting minimal points last season as a 17 yr old. It’s nice to see he has found his game and is willing to play hard at both ends and use his scoring touch to help the team, get clutch chances and contribute. Gallagher had some chances tonight, but the top line suffered from a bit of missed chemistry, often failing to finish that pass or get that goal. Martinook continues to consistently put up points and seemed a threat most every shift tonight. I am happy that he is really growing into the Machacek-like power-forward we all know he can become.
The Giants have a 17 hr bus ride back home, but will get a few days off for rest and practice before returning to the ice at the Coliseum on Friday Dec 9th for their teddy bear toss night versus the Portland Winterhawks. Wes Vannieuwenhuizen will not return until the game on the 10th as he is still serving a very bogus 3 game suspension for fighting at the end of a game. Note: the game is not at its usual Friday time, but will start at 7pm PST (not 7:30), remember that new time and don’t forget to bring your teddy bear for charity, to launch onto the ice after the Giants first goal.
Three Stars
1. Cain Franson
2. Graham Black
3. Anthony Ast
Dondo’s Hardhat: goes to .. Franson, two goals, and great effort all over the ice. Honourable Mention: Houck .. some good checks and created chances with his physical game.