Giants vs Thunderbirds

October 3, 2008 - 7:30 pm start

Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver BC

Dave Sheldon - Vancouver Giants

The Vancouver Giants will open a five game home stand tonight against the Thunderbirds.  Vancouver (4-0-0-1), are currently first in the BC Division and first in the Western Conference with their nine points earned through five games.  Swift Current and Vancouver are the only two teams in the WHL who are yet to suffer a regulation loss.  The Giants are currently ranked #8 in the CHL rankings.  The CHL is comprised of the WHL, OHL and QMJHL and has over sixty teams.  The Swift Current Broncos (4th) and Spokane Chiefs (#6) are the other WHL teams currently ranked in the Top 10.

The Seattle Thunderbirds are currently polar opposite from the Giants.  The T-Birds are 0-4-0-0 on the season and are the only team in the WHL not to earn a point so far this season.  Seattle has allowed 19 goals through their first four games, which is 4.75 goals against per game, an average that is the worst in the WHL.

Seattle’s start can be attributed to a number of factors.  Bud Holloway and Greg Scott were the two leading point getters for the T-Birds last season.  Both players are now pursuing their pro careers, Holloway with Los Angeles and Scott with Toronto.  These two players and the departed Ian McKenzie represent 100 goals scored last year for Seattle.  In addition, Seattle’s best defender and best player from the past few seasons, Thomas Hickey, is still away at Los Angeles Kings camp as well.  Hickey, just 19, has a real chance to make the Kings and his loss would be catastrophic for Seattle.  Riku Helenius, the Thunderbirds starting goaltender from last season, has also departed to turn pro, leaving the net minding duties to Jacob DeSerres and rookie Calvin Pickard.  DeSerres was excellent last season, posting a 2.28 GAA and a .922 save percentage, which was #1 among save percentages last season.  This year, with a depleted line up in front of him, DeSerres has a goals against average nearly TRIPLE of last year at 6.19 and his save percentage is .820, which is dead last in the WHL.  What a difference a year makes...

Rob Sumner begins his 5th season behind the bench for Seattle.  His 157 regular season victories put him second on the T-Birds all time win list, behind only current Tri City Americans Head Coach Don Nachbaur, who posted 180 wins over his five year tenure with the club.  Sumner’s clubs have always been competitive, so it is only a matter of time before Seattle will turn their fortunes around.

This week Seattle picked up Chris Cloud off waivers from the Vancouver Giants.  Cloud, who will turn 20 later this month, spent last season with the Giants and racked up nine goals and 105 PIMs in 60+ games.  Cloud’s grit and ability to scrap made him one of the toughest players in the WHL.  But, with the Giants only being able to carry three 20 year old players, Cloud became the odd man out.  On the bright side for Cloud, Seattle, due to their slow start to begin the season, were the first team eligible to claim Cloud and did just that, recognizing his value.

The Giants success this year can be attributed to good all around team play.  The Giants currently lead the league in goals scored with 23 through five games.  Evander Kane leads the goal parade for the G-Men, lighting the lamp four times already this season.  In fact, through just five games, the Giants already have multiple points from 16 players on their roster.  On defence, Craig Schira and Neil Manning are off to fast starts, as Manning already has three goals and Schira has counted two.  With the recent additions from NHL camps of Brent Regner (Columbus) and Captain Jonathon Blum (Nashville), expect the defence to continue to jump in and contribute offensively.

Tyson Sexsmith is back from camp and back to his winning ways.  Sexsmith has posted wins in both of his starts this season and looks to be on pace for another stellar campaign.  Jamie Tucker has proven capable as a backup.  So far this young season, the rookie tender has posted two shutouts and a .958 save percentage to go along with his .97 goals against average.  Tucker has thus far proven to be a valuable 1-2 combination with Sexsmith. 

Game time will be at 7:30 p.m.. Fans can also listen to the game on Superhits 650 CISL and in the rink on 88.7 FM. Pregame show with Dave Sheldon and Steve Ewen will be at 7 p.m.