It’s the final Friday Night Hockey game on the regular season schedule and it’s a B.C. Division match-up as the Vancouver Giants host the Kelowna Rockets.
Dan Lambert has done a masterful job in his first year as Kelowna’s head coach. The Rockets have once again surpassed the 50-win plateau and will go into the playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference. Kelowna has lost 5 of its last 8 games coming in and is still without Josh Morrissey and Justin Kirkland, two key pieces.
In goal, Jackson Whistle has returned from injury and has started seven of the last eight games. While he was out, Michael Herringer stated his case to be the back-up for the post-season.
Defensively, not having Josh Morrissey in the line-up has allowed for Devante Stephens and Lucas Johansen to see more ice. Both are future stars. Madison Bowey continues to produce, while Cole Martin has had a significant increase in his production. Joe Gatenby and Riley Stadel are both more than capable.
Up front, Nick Merkley has been durable and has produced consistently. He’s a surefire top 20 pick in June. Rourke Chartier and Tyson Baillie are pure snipers. Leon Draisaitl has definitely found his stride with 6 of his 16 goals counting as game-winners. Justin Kirkland rounds out the top 6 nicely, but he’s been out since mid-February.
Sunday’s 4-1 win over Victoria snapped a 9-game losing streak for Vancouver. A loss in this game will ensure the Giants will miss the playoffs for the second time in the last 3 seasons. Claude Noel replaced Troy Ward at the end of November, and the Giants are 17-22-1-2 under Noel’s leadership.
Payton Lee carried most of the early season load in goal for the Giants. Cody Porter has started the last three games, allowing 6 goals while getting just one goal of support.
Defensively, the Giants are a middle of the pack team. Colorado is more than impressed with how Mason Geertsen has developed under Noel, he’s one of two Giants in the black with a +3 rating. Arvin Atwal and Josh Thrower add toughness. Dmitry Osipov has not developed as expected, and Clayton Kirichenko has been good. Ryley McKinstry is on the rise.
Up front, Jackson Houck leads the club with 50 points. Goal scoring has plagued Vancouver. The Giants have been shutout 14 times this season, with 10 of those coming since the calendar turned 2015. Thomas Foster and Zane Jones have carried their fair share of the load, but injuries to Ty Ronning and David Brumm and now Dalton Sward have taken a lot of bite out of the Giants ability to score.
Alec Baer and Jakob Stukel have not produced to expected levels. Tyler Benson has been a bright spot up front, and he is the poster boy for the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects game to be played here in Vancouver next January.
Kelowna Rockets 51-13-5-1 (26-5-3-1 Road), 1 Loss (1st BC Division, 1st Western Conference), 2nd BMO Top 10
Individual Stats
In Goal
Team Stats
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Leon Draisaitl (EDM 3rd 2014)
Josh Morrissey (WPG 13th 2013)
Madison Bowey (WAS 53rd 2013)
Justin Kirkland (NAS 62nd 2014)
Tyrell Goulbourne (72nd 2013)
Mitchell Wheaton (DET 139th 2013)
Rourke Chartier (SJ 149th 2014)
NHL Central Scouting
Nick Merkley #13
Devante Stephens #108
Joe Gatenby #134
Under The Radar
Tyson Baillie is not fleet of foot, but has a great goal scorer’s touch around the net. He handles the puck well and shoots when goalies don’t expect it.
Vancouver Giants 27-40-1-2 (20-14-0-1 Home) W, 5th BC Division, 10th Western Conference
Individual Stats
In Goal
Team Stats
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Mason Geertsen (COL 93rd 2013)
Jackson Houck (EDM 94th 2013)
NHL Central Scouting
N/A
Under The Radar
Thomas Foster much like his brother TJ, he never really dazzles you until you look at the scoresheet and see he’s either helped score, or defended the opposition from doing so.