A heartbreaker of a loss in a shootout saw the Vancouver Giants lose 5-4 to the Everett Silvertips on Friday, followed Saturday by a 5-2 loss to the Spokane Chiefs.
Though Friday wasn’t a win for the Giants, the team never trailed, with four players notching goals for Vancouver. However, those chances wouldn’t have come without the work of goalie Ryan Kubic, who made 49 saves as Vancouver was outshot 53-21.
“Ryan had a good game,” said Giants head coach Jason McKee “He’s had to be exceptional at times.”
After a four-four tie when the clock ran out and no score in overtime, it was Dominic Zwerger of the Silvertips who managed to win the game for Everett.
Saturday’s home game against Spokane got off to a poor start when Taylor Ross of the Chiefs hammered one past Kubic. But the Giants found their footing for a time in the second period, tying the game at 2-2.
The game was marred by four fights, however.
“I think it’s just part of the game,” said McKee. “Two of them were just a direct result of players sticking up for their teammates, and I don’t have a problem with that.”
The physical game not only saw some scrapping between players, it saw a few members of the Giants leave the ice battered.
“We’re going to have to be prepared to be short here for a little bit,” McKee said of the injuries.
It’s uncertain exactly which players will be suiting up for coming games, but those injured include Johnny Wesley, who scored one of Langley’s two goals against Spokane, top goal-scorer Radovan Bondra, and Tyler Popowich.
This Friday’s game against Portland will be a chance for the team to help the community with its annual Teddy Bear Toss.
“I know the team is very excited about that,” said McKee.
