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View Full Version : Another 3 for 3 Weekend in Pre-season.



Beaner
09-11-2005, 07:44 PM
from, www.vancouvergiants.com


GIANTS PERFECT PRE-SEASON CONTINUES WITH
WIN OVER SPOKANE
By Matt Barkoff


The Vancouver Giants extended their spotless record on Sunday by edging the Spokane Chiefs 3-2 to wrap up a pre-season tournament in Tri-City. 6-0 and off to the best exhibition start in franchise history, the G-Men used timely goals from Mitch Czibere, Kyle Lamb and David Rutherford to continue their team-wide roll.

Czibere struck at 3:57 of the opening period when he beat Spokane goalie Jim Watt along the ice from a bad angle on the left side of the net before Lamb capitalized on a strange bounce into the slot area where the energized winger made no mistake at 15:32. Rutherford scored the eventual game-winner just 15 seconds into the middle frame while the teams skated 4-on-4 when he stripped a Chiefs defenseman down low and came out in front to bury the puck.

Tommy Tartaglione, still undefeated as a Western Hockey League rookie goaltender, made 24 saves on 26 Spokane shots. Chad Klassen scored on a powerplay at 10:49 of the first period to cap off a nice passing play around the Giants zone, then later spotted Jeff Lynch from behind the net at 4:16 of the second for the Chiefs only goals.

Vancouver generated 43 shots at Watt, carrying the edge in play for much of the contest. The Giants finished 0/9 on the powerplay and Spokane scored once with the man advantage in six opportunities.

Scrappy Garet Hunt fought Matt McCue in the first period, but the only bout of the game was largely uneventful.

Regardless of the score at the end of regulation in these tournament games, the teams have been staging a shootout, put in place to settle tied matches during the regular season. For good measure on Sunday, blueliner Paul Albers and forward Jovan Matic scored on the Giants trio of chances and Tartaglione stopped all three Spokane shooters to take the glorified penalty shot display 2-0.

Heading home for a week of practice and a pair of weekend games versus defending WHL champion Kelowna next weekend, the Giants are nursing two injuries and still have 9 players attending National Hockey League training camps. Jason Reese, who left Friday's game against Tri-City, hurt his MCL, while rookie hopeful Kenton Dulle has shoulder woes at the moment. Both forwards will be examined by the Giants medical staff on Monday.

Wish I could add something, but all the games have been on the road for the preseason. But from what I can gather from various Radio reports and reading online, the big standout for the pre-season has been the rookie Goalie, Tommy Tartaglione. He may just be playing well enough to get the backup job behind Slade. More than likely he will be sent back, and Sexsmith will get the job, but he is making a very good case for why he should be here now. Definatley cashing in on his oppurtunity considering Slade is at NJ camp and Sexsmith is injured.

Still only pre-season games, so take the wins for what they are worth, but an excellent start to the pre-season for the Giants Rookies, and Prospects. Well done lads. :clap: