The Vancouver Giants notched another win in a hard-fought game at home against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Dec. 2.
The thrilling contest, which ended in a 2-1 overtime victory, was the result of a whole-team effort, said Giants’ head coach Jason McKee.
“It was an intense, physical game, and obviously it’s nice to come out on the right side,” McKee said.
Everyone worked hard and managed to create chances for scoring, which began paying off in the first period when Matt Barberis gave the Giants a 1-0 lead. Goalie Ryan Kubic came through, stopping 25 of 26 shots and only allowing in one from James Shearer on a Wheat Kings power play.
Dylan Plouffe scored the game winner in overtime, only his second goal of the season.
“Ryan’s been good, the last week here,” said McKee of his goalie.
“We were emotionally invested in the outcome of the game,” McKee said, noting that ultimately, the victory came down to a whole-team effort.
On a Dec. 3 road trip to Kamloops, the Giants didn’t fare as well. They lost 5-2 to the Blazers.
“We didn’t have the jump we had the night before,” said McKee. “We didn’t give enough.”
Kubic again put in a valiant effort as the Blazers outshot the Giants 33-17. Ondrej Vala of Kamloops opened the scoring in the first period, but the Giants fought back, evening the score less than three minutes later on a shot from James Malm.
But Kamloops quickly took the lead again, and they took a 4-2 lead into the final frame, scoring on an empty net in the final two minutes of play.
When the Giants are good, it’s because they’re winning on all the small things, the little battles along the way, McKee said.
“It’s not just goals and assists,” he said.
