Giants Weekly Recap
March 19, 2006 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release
The Giants have completed their most successful regular season in franchise history as they prepare to open the 2006 Western Hockey League playoffs next weekend.
Last Friday, more than 10,400 fans were at the Pacific Coliseum for the final Giants home game of the year. Gilbert Brule scored a pair of power play goals to lead the Giants to a 3-2 win over the Kelowna Rockets. Mitch Bartley scored a short-handed goal while goaltender Dustin Slade made 22 saves for the victory. The win not only gave the Giants 100 points on the season but it also saw them clinch top spot in the B.C. Division and Western Conference.
On Saturday, the Giants dropped a 4-3 decision to the Everett Silvertips at the Events Center. Brule, Kyle Lamb, and Brett Parker scored for the Giants in a game which saw Vancouver out-shoot the Tips 42-32. It also turned out to be just the ninth regulation loss on the road for the Giants this year.
The Giants wrap up their 72-game schedule with a record of 47-19-0-6. At home the Giants were 24-10-0-2 while away from Vancouver they were 23-9-0-4. Ironically, the Giants scored the same amount of goals at home this year as they did on the road (126)!
Vancouver opens up their Western Conference Quarter Final playoff series against the Prince George Cougars. The Cats are in the playoffs for the first time in three seasons and will open the playoffs at the Pacific Coliseum Friday March 24.
Here is the first round playoff schedule for the Giants and Cougars:
Game 1 Friday March 24 @ Vancouver 7:30pm
Game 2 Saturday March 25 @ Vancouver 7:00pm
Game 3 Tuesday March 28 @ Prince George 7:30pm
Game 4 Wednesday March 29 @ Prince George 7:30pm
Game 5 Saturday April 1 @ Vancouver 7:00pm (If Necessary)
Game 6 Monday April 3 @ Prince George 7:30pm (If Necessary)
Game 7 Wednesday April 5 @ Vancouver 7:00pm (If Necessary)
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Western Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2006
- Everett Falls 4-2 to Seattle in Final Regular Season Game - Everett Silvertips
- Derlago caps great comeback season - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Giants Weekly Recap - Vancouver Giants
- Curtain comes down on season - Brandon Wheat Kings
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