Articles, Hockey

Giants sock it to the Hitmen

The Vancouver Giants came out swinging in the first period, then held on for a gritty 4-3 overtime win over Calgary Wednesday night. In the first period, Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger didn’t look much like the young man who stopped 38 of 39 shots to gift his team a 2-1 win over Kelowna on Tuesday night. He was beaten three times in the first period, including once on a spectacular dangle by rookie Alec Baer.

Forward Alec Baer scored a beauty midway through the first period en route to a 4-3 win for the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head
Forward Alec Baer scored a beauty midway through the first period en route to a 4-3 win for the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

He wouldn’t allow another puck past him until 2:04 of overtime, however, when Tim Traber swept home a rebound to seal just the third win of the season for the Giants.

More after the jump.

The game began with a nice tribute to the Squamish-based Thrower family. Eldest son Dalton, a 2012 Montreal Canadiens draft pick, happens to be the newly-minted captain of the Vancouver Giants. His brother Josh, eligible for next year’s NHL draft, plays defense for the Calgary Hitmen. What better way to honour this brotherly connection than to have their younger sister Danae sing O Canada before the game?

Vancouver Giants captain Dalton Thrower stands with his siblings, anthem singer Danae and Calgary Hitmen defenseman Josh, prior to WHL action at the Pacific Coliseum. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vancouver Giants captain Dalton Thrower stands with his siblings, anthem singer Danae and Calgary Hitmen defenseman Josh, prior to WHL action at the Pacific Coliseum. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Also scoring for the Giants were defenseman Blake Orban and forward Cain Franson, each with their first of the season. Baer finished with three points — doubling his point totals for the year — and received first star honours for his efforts. Calgary goals came from Calder Brooks, Elliott Peterson and Jake Virtanen, the last of whom already has his eighth.

Payton Lee collected his third win of the year with a 4-3 overtime decision over the Calgary Hitmen. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Payton Lee collected his third win of the year with a 4-3 overtime decision over the Calgary Hitmen. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

The next Giants home game is Friday, October 25 against the Everett Silvertips. Ladies night tickets include a t-shirt, a wine tasting sampler and a chocolate sampler. Afterwards, the Giants hop a bus for games in Seattle on Saturday and Kamloops on Sunday, followed by back-to-back games in Prince George on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.