The Giants did not start out well in this one, but they finished very well. The G’s took a penalty in the first 30 seconds of the game and the Ams capitalised. The goal came off the Americans first shot of the game. The G’s bounced back eventually after their goalie weathered a tough first period. The Giants seemed surprised by the Ams speed, but late in the period the visitors began to use the body a bit better. It didn’t help matters that the refs were on crack tonight calling ticky-tack garbage and missing other things completely. The Giants tied it up late in the period only to give up another PP marker with time ticking down. The Giants rebounded in the second though, scoring two goals in the first five minutes. They controlled the play in the middle frame and despite taking poor penalties, or would that be given poor penalties, they managed to not allow another PP goal for the rest of the game. The Giants added an insurance marker mid-third, finally getting their PP to connect. They got some great goaltending from their ‘tender and despite being badly out shot by the home squad, got the win. The Giants have now not lost a road playoff game this season, notching their 6th road playoff win tonight.

The Giants came out a bit flat, taking a poor penalty with not even 30 ticks off the clock. Tyler Schmidt scored a PP marker on the ensuing man-advantage. James Henry, increasing his point streak to 11 straight games, bulged the twine tying it up late in the first. Neil Manning and Nolan Toigo got the helpers. Schmidt scored another PP goal in the final minute of the period, putting his team back up by one and heading into the dressing room with momentum, or so they thought. I’m not sure what Hay said in the break, but whatever it was did the job as the Giants came out with no fear in the second and ready to take this game. Brendan Gallagher scored one at 1:45 of the second, a goal originally thought to be Toigo’s but Gally got a piece. Milan Kytnar got the other assist. Greg Lamoureux the speedy 17 yr old got his first goal of the playoffs in his fifth game in the line-up. A very nice tally assisted by Lance Bouma and Toigo. Tomas Vincour got his 6th of the campaign in the third, finally getting the Giants PP going. Craig Cunningham and Kevin Connauton got the helpers.

The Americans out shot the Giants 44-23. They went 2 for 9 on the PP, while the Giants managed just 1 for 7. Nolan Toigo had a three-point night assisting on all of the Giants even-strength markers. Tomas Vincour paid the price tonight, had some good chances all over the ice and was unlucky not to get more points. Henry was very good as usual and rock solid. Cunningham, just recently named the WHL Western Conference Player of the Year, had his nose in there as well. Mark Segal turned away 42 of 44, was only beat on the PP and both of those goals were good ones, even though the first marker came on the first shot he faced. It’s good to see this young ‘tender seeming to find a bit more of his playoff game and settling down better. His consistency is still a bit of a concern, but his last two outings have been solid. Segal should have got a star nod tonight. Milan Kytnar quietly put up a +3 tonight and is a very reliable two-way player in the crunch. The two teams tangle again Saturday in Kennewick for Game 2. The Giants are very eager to make it two, but the Americans are probably just as eager to make it 1-1. Should be a good one. Puck drops at 7:35 in Kennewick.

Three Stars

1. Tomas Vincour
2. Nolan Toigo
3. Tyler Schmidt