Hunt24
10-09-2006, 11:20 AM
Western Hockey League Streaks collide today in Chilliwack
Vancouver eight straight wins; Chilliwack six straight losses
The Vancouver Giants travel to Chilliwack today for an afternoon tilt against their newest geographic rivals, the Chilliwack Bruins.
The Giants (8-0-0) are now the top ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League and spent the past week beating up on B.C. Division rivals the Prince George Cougars. The Bruins (1-6-0) on the other hand have not scored a goal in 151 minutes of play after being shutout by Kamloops and Swift Current this past weekend.
The last time these two teams met Garet Hunt was a force to be reckoned scoring once, adding an assist and fighting twice – all in the first period. Hunt played Junior A hockey with the Chiefs and could be the most cheered, or hated, member of the Giants squad today.
Vancouver will be without both Spencer Machacek and Chad Scharff who our nursing injuries. Machacek could be back in action next weekend. Scharff’s playing future is up in the air as the Giants have 24 hours to make a decision about which extra overager to cut or trade.
The Bruins don’t have a ton of offensive talent but Mark Santorelli leads the team with four points. Oscar Moller, the cornerstone of the franchise, has three points through five games so far.
The Giants are currently the WHL’s top scoring team and are lead by J.D. Watt’s seven goals. His previous career high was eight goals (2005-06). Cody Franson sits second in the league scoring race with 13 points. Jason Reese has lived up to the hype of a first round Bantam pick this year with five goals and seven assists for 11 points.
As far as the fisticuffs go, look for Hunt to engage in at least one fight. Myles Stoesz is the Bruins’ leader in PIM with 28 and Vancouver’s Milan Lucic may be looking to trade blows with the Chilliwack enforcer.
The Giants will go with Dustin Slade (4-0-0, 0.50) in goal tonight. The 20-year old goaltender is coming off of another shutout in his last game against Prince George. Alex Archibald (1-4, 3.09) will get the call for the Bruins.
Top Scorers
Vancouver Giants GP G A PTS
Cody Franson 8 2 11 13
J.D. Watt 8 7 5 12
Jason Reese 8 5 6 11
Chilliwack Bruins GP G A PTS
Mark Santorelli 7 2 2 4
Oscar Moller 5 1 2 3
Stephane Lenoski 7 1 2 3
Our Prediction: Vancouver Giants 7 Chilliwack Bruins 1
Vancouver eight straight wins; Chilliwack six straight losses
The Vancouver Giants travel to Chilliwack today for an afternoon tilt against their newest geographic rivals, the Chilliwack Bruins.
The Giants (8-0-0) are now the top ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League and spent the past week beating up on B.C. Division rivals the Prince George Cougars. The Bruins (1-6-0) on the other hand have not scored a goal in 151 minutes of play after being shutout by Kamloops and Swift Current this past weekend.
The last time these two teams met Garet Hunt was a force to be reckoned scoring once, adding an assist and fighting twice – all in the first period. Hunt played Junior A hockey with the Chiefs and could be the most cheered, or hated, member of the Giants squad today.
Vancouver will be without both Spencer Machacek and Chad Scharff who our nursing injuries. Machacek could be back in action next weekend. Scharff’s playing future is up in the air as the Giants have 24 hours to make a decision about which extra overager to cut or trade.
The Bruins don’t have a ton of offensive talent but Mark Santorelli leads the team with four points. Oscar Moller, the cornerstone of the franchise, has three points through five games so far.
The Giants are currently the WHL’s top scoring team and are lead by J.D. Watt’s seven goals. His previous career high was eight goals (2005-06). Cody Franson sits second in the league scoring race with 13 points. Jason Reese has lived up to the hype of a first round Bantam pick this year with five goals and seven assists for 11 points.
As far as the fisticuffs go, look for Hunt to engage in at least one fight. Myles Stoesz is the Bruins’ leader in PIM with 28 and Vancouver’s Milan Lucic may be looking to trade blows with the Chilliwack enforcer.
The Giants will go with Dustin Slade (4-0-0, 0.50) in goal tonight. The 20-year old goaltender is coming off of another shutout in his last game against Prince George. Alex Archibald (1-4, 3.09) will get the call for the Bruins.
Top Scorers
Vancouver Giants GP G A PTS
Cody Franson 8 2 11 13
J.D. Watt 8 7 5 12
Jason Reese 8 5 6 11
Chilliwack Bruins GP G A PTS
Mark Santorelli 7 2 2 4
Oscar Moller 5 1 2 3
Stephane Lenoski 7 1 2 3
Our Prediction: Vancouver Giants 7 Chilliwack Bruins 1