Consistency was again a problem for the Vancouver Giants after a strong start against the Regina Pats ended in an 8-3 loss Sunday at the Langley Events Centre.
Head coach Jason McKee said that the Giants were strong initially, but couldn’t find the net. By the end of the period, Vancouver goalie Ryan Kubic had been relieved after allowing in three goals on six shots. The visiting Pats had a 4-0 lead going into the second.
Johnny Wesley put the Giants on the board early in the second period, and Dmitry Osipov and Tyler Popowich added two more goals in the third, but Regina continued to add to their lead.
Vancouver was outshot 27-25 and went 0-5 on the power play, something they still need to work on, said McKee.
The Giants need to start having a “shoot-first mentality” when they’re on the power play, McKee said.
Kubic will be going back into the net for the Giants in their upcoming three-game road series.
“Everyone has an off night,” McKee said.
The coach added that overall Kubic has been one of the team’s most consistent players.
The Giants also went down to defeat 5-3 at Prospera Place by the Kelowna Rockets on Nov. 18.
Kelowna grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first period before Dawson Holt scored on the rebound for the Giants.
The Giants made better use of the power play in this game, going 2-for-6, but still couldn’t climb back into the lead.
Thomas Foster bagged his fifth goal of the year to bring the Giants within one in the third period, but Kelowna’s Cole Lind scored less than a minute later.
McKee said the team is generally strong.
“We just need to sharpen up on some details,” he concluded.
