Giants take first one

 

Michail Boncea (HV)

 

Tyson Sexsmith the WHL league regular season Goalie leader with a 1.79 goals against average finished the game with a 5.900 GAA and 0.430 save percentage. By the time Don Hay replaced Sexsmith in the 2nd period with Blaine Neufeld he allowed 4 goals while facing only 7 shots.

Chilliwack Bruins played a trap style game almost to perfection. Though Vancouver Giants with their explosive offence potential did their best to try to score and at the end of the game the final shots count was 44 for Vancouver to 10 for Chilliwack.

 

While Tyson Sexmith less then stellar performance was a key weak part in the first playoff game between Vancouver and Chilliwack in the Western Conference Quarter Final the same can’t be said about Chilliwack Goalie Alex Archibald. Alex Archibald the backup for Matt Esposito who was not able to play for Chilliwack because of a leg injury was solid the entire game in the net. If it was not for his stellar performance the score would certainly have been more favorable for Vancouver.

 

The game went to overtime before Jonathon Blum scored the winning goal for Vancouver Giants to win the game 5 to 4.

 

What looked like a Playoff Series sweep for Vancouver Giants before the start of tonight’s game against Chilliwack Bruins suddenly it’s a wide open Playoff Series. Chilliwack is playing with heart, with a solid team work style and with their players not afraid to drop in front of the net to stop Vancouver shots. As well their backup goalie Alex Archibald stellar performance put to rest any questions about their goalie capability. In order for Vancouver Giants to win this playoff series they need to find a way to move around Chilliwack trap style defence system, have more discipline and have their number one goalie Tyson Sexsmith play way better then he did the first game like he is capable of doing.

 

Chilliwack Bruins Cody Smuk scored the first goal in first period at 1:04 unassisted. Vancouver Giants Spencer Machacek scored the second goal of the game in the first period at 3:48 the assists went to Mikkelson and Bliznak. Chilliwack Bruins Josh Aspenlind scored the third goal of the game in the first period at 5:27 the assists went to Moller and Santorelli. Vancouver Giants Wacey Rabbit scored the fourth goal of the game in the second period at 8:49 the assists went to Repik and Lucic. Chilliwack Bruins Ken Petkau scored the fifth goal of the game in the second period at 9:08 the assists went to Asperlind and Santorelli. Chilliwack Bruins Mark Santorelli scored the sixth goal of the game in the second period at 18:56 and the assists went to Moller and Petkau. Vancouver Giants Spencer Machacek scored the seventh goal of the game in the third period at 3:12 unassisted. Vancouver Giants Mario Bliznak scored the eight goal of the game in the third period at 15:02 in a penalty shoot. Vancouver Giants Jonathan Blum scored the last goal of the game in the first overtime period at 5:41 the assists went to McArdle and Franson.

 

 

Photo: Giants celebrate third goal. © Michail Boncea (HV)