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Beaner
02-09-2005, 10:42 AM
from http://www.vancouvergiants.com/

By Matt Barkoff

The Vancouver Giants took a 1-0 edge into the third period in Medicine Hat on Tuesday, but came out on the short end of a 2-1 loss. Performing masterfully on the road in the opening 20 minutes, the G-Men let up ever so slightly over the final two periods and allowed the game slip away to fall to 1-2-1-1 on their current Central Division road swing.

Mitch Bartley continued his hot streak, netting a poweplay marker to open the contest's scoring detail at 12:23 of the first period. Having just turned 20-years-old on February 1 st , Bartley now has nine goals in his last seven games after converting on a one-timer when Gilbert Brule spotted him wide open.

In a battle of the backup goalies, the Tigers' Matt Keetley came out on top, stopping 26 of the Giants' 27 shots. Adam Jennings simply sparkled through two periods, kicking out all 18 shots he faced, but surrendered costly markers to Steve Marr and Jarret Lukin in the final stanza.

Vancouver led the shot parade 11-6 and had numerous quality scoring chances in the first period. They carried a 9-8 shots advantage in the third, but couldn't seal the deal in a tough road battle.

“If you're a mediator in the game, if you're the Medicine Hat Tigers, you're probably not happy with your first period – as the Giants, we were happy and vice versa in the second,” Giants' Assistant Coach Craig Bonner explained. “In the third we were better than we were in the second, that's for sure.”

Following thrilling comebacks over the weekend in Swift Current and Lethbridge , the G-Men mimicked the Broncos and Hurricanes on Tuesday.

“In Swift Current we took strides in a positive way where we went into the third period tied and came out on top,” Bonner said. “And then Lethbridge was another good result where it was a tight game and we ended up getting a point. Tonight was an example of (not) having that extra commitment or discipline to stick to the program and do the little things. We made the smart plays the other night, we got the puck out and we have to learn to do that every night.”

Vancouver 's goals have been going in off the stick of Bartley lately, with a few sprinklings of Brule and Adam Courchaine here and there. That's not cutting it with the club's coaches, who would prefer that their more non-descript types wake up soon. 14-goal scorer Tim Kraus played well in the Hat following a recent two-game banishment to the press box, but Kyle Lamb (7 goals) has been a healthy scratch for every other game. Top-line winger Matt Robinson only has 6 goals in 32 games and needs to pitch in more down the stretch drive to the playoffs.

“When you go on the road and you give up 26 shots – they get two goals – those numbers should give you a chance to win,” Bonner affirmed. “You need to score more than a goal because it's very rare you're going to shut out a team on the road. We need some secondary scoring – we can't just rely on (the top) guys all the time. We need some other guys to chip in as well because all those little goals help.”

On the plus side, gritty team captain Triston Grant is on the verge of his first 20-goal campaign, while Cam Cunning has 15 goals splitting his year between the Giants and Kamloops Blazers.

Next stop Calgary, as Vancouver plays the Hitmen on Wednesday before wrapping up their lengthy 12-day road trip in Spokane on Saturday.

3 Stars:

1. M.H - 5 Steve Marr
2. M.H - 11 Jarret Lukin
3. VAN - 19 Mitch Bartley

grumphy
02-09-2005, 12:04 PM
This summary pretty well does it. I can't add to much more. Very entrtaining game as the score would indicate. Some very questionable reffing but what's new. All in all a great game from both team, I have to agree Bartly seemed to be the only stand out other than your goalie.