Hunt24
10-06-2006, 11:13 AM
Vancouver Giants look to extend unbeaten streak against Cougars
Prince George could have Setoguchi in the lineup
The Vancouver Giants showed the mettle of a championship team Wednesday night, coming back from a 4-1 deficit in the final five minutes to defeat the Prince George Cougars 5-4 in a shootout.
The Giants will wrap up a three game mini-series with the Cougars tonight in Prince George and Canadian Press is reporting Devon Setoguchi, acquired Wednesday from Saskatoon, will be in the lineup.
Down by three late in the third period the Giants (6-0-0-0) scored three powerplay goals to tie the game. After a scoreless overtime J.D. Watt scored the shootout winner to give the Giants their sixth win of the season. The Giants have now won 25 straight against WHL competition.
The Cougars (2-2-0-1) are getting healthier as Nic Drazenovic played his first game of the season Wednesday and chipped in with two assists. Defenseman Ty Wishart is still a game-time decision as he shows symptoms of a concussion suffered last weekend. The possible inclusion of Setoguchi in the lineup tonight gives the Cougars to solid lines to attack with.
Last season the Cougars lost both ends of a two-game set only once and were able to earn a split both times they had a day off between games. The difference tonight is Prince George was victorious in the first game of those sets.
The Giants continue to score by committee as four different players, Tim Kraus, Jason Reese, J.D. Watt and Kyle Lamb, have four goals each this season. Cody Franson continues to lead the team in scoring with two goals, 10 assists and 12 points.
The Giants will need a better start to tonight’s contest and knowing how Don Hay prepares his team and makes adjustments as necessary a more focused first period is expected. The Giants remain the league’s highest scoring team, averaging over 5 goals per game while allowing only 1.6.
Overage netminder Dustin Slade (3-0-0, 0.67) will get the start in goal for the Giants. The Cougars could go with Real Cyr (2-1-0-1, 3.19) who made 50 saves on Wednesday night or backup Jordan White (0-1-0, 4.00) who made his WHL debut last Sunday against the Giants.
Top Scorers
Vancouver Giants GP G A PTS
Cody Franson 6 2 10 12
Jonathon Blum 6 1 7 8
Tim Kraus 6 4 3 7
Prince George Cougars GP G A PTS
Brett Robertson 5 4 6 10
Jared Walker 5 3 3 6
Dana Tyrell 5 1 4 5
Prediction: Vancouver Giants 4 Prince George Cougars 3
Prince George could have Setoguchi in the lineup
The Vancouver Giants showed the mettle of a championship team Wednesday night, coming back from a 4-1 deficit in the final five minutes to defeat the Prince George Cougars 5-4 in a shootout.
The Giants will wrap up a three game mini-series with the Cougars tonight in Prince George and Canadian Press is reporting Devon Setoguchi, acquired Wednesday from Saskatoon, will be in the lineup.
Down by three late in the third period the Giants (6-0-0-0) scored three powerplay goals to tie the game. After a scoreless overtime J.D. Watt scored the shootout winner to give the Giants their sixth win of the season. The Giants have now won 25 straight against WHL competition.
The Cougars (2-2-0-1) are getting healthier as Nic Drazenovic played his first game of the season Wednesday and chipped in with two assists. Defenseman Ty Wishart is still a game-time decision as he shows symptoms of a concussion suffered last weekend. The possible inclusion of Setoguchi in the lineup tonight gives the Cougars to solid lines to attack with.
Last season the Cougars lost both ends of a two-game set only once and were able to earn a split both times they had a day off between games. The difference tonight is Prince George was victorious in the first game of those sets.
The Giants continue to score by committee as four different players, Tim Kraus, Jason Reese, J.D. Watt and Kyle Lamb, have four goals each this season. Cody Franson continues to lead the team in scoring with two goals, 10 assists and 12 points.
The Giants will need a better start to tonight’s contest and knowing how Don Hay prepares his team and makes adjustments as necessary a more focused first period is expected. The Giants remain the league’s highest scoring team, averaging over 5 goals per game while allowing only 1.6.
Overage netminder Dustin Slade (3-0-0, 0.67) will get the start in goal for the Giants. The Cougars could go with Real Cyr (2-1-0-1, 3.19) who made 50 saves on Wednesday night or backup Jordan White (0-1-0, 4.00) who made his WHL debut last Sunday against the Giants.
Top Scorers
Vancouver Giants GP G A PTS
Cody Franson 6 2 10 12
Jonathon Blum 6 1 7 8
Tim Kraus 6 4 3 7
Prince George Cougars GP G A PTS
Brett Robertson 5 4 6 10
Jared Walker 5 3 3 6
Dana Tyrell 5 1 4 5
Prediction: Vancouver Giants 4 Prince George Cougars 3