Giants Drop A Hard-Fought Game 4 To Kamloops Thursday at Home

Thursday night at the Langley Events Centre in front of a spirited crowd of over 4100-strong, the Vancouver Giants dropped a nail-biting 4-2 score to the Kamloops Blazers. Logan Stankoven scored twice in the third period, including the game-winning goal on a power play with under three minutes to go in regulation time. Both Giants goals came from captain Zack Ostapchuk (2G) and both goals were set up by Fabian Lysell (2A). Jesper Vikman stopped 39 of 42 for the Giants while Dylan Garand turned away 18 of 20 for Kamloops. The Kamloops Blazers now hold a 3-1 stranglehold on the best-of-seven series with Game 5 looming tomorrow night.

GIANTS RETURN TO ACTION TOMORROW IN KAMLOOPS

BOX SCORE

 1^st Period:

KAM – 13:54 into the first period, the Blazers got on the board when Luke Toporowski finished off a three-way passing play with Ethan Brandwood and Drew Englot. The play started at the Giants blue-line when Ethan Brandwood sent a pass to the slot to Drew Englot. Englot then redirected it to Luke Toporowski (6) on the left-wing who did the rest.

VAN – 4:22 later the Giants responded when Fabian Lysell sent a breakaway pass down center ice to an open Zack Ostapchuk (4). The Giants captain outraced two defenders, skated in close and went back-hand, fore-hand before snapping a shot past Dylan Garand.

Shots: 8-8

2^nd Period:

KAM – Caedan Bankier (4) opened the scoring in the second frame for Kamloops at 12:59 when he converted off a Daylan Kuefler rebound.

Shots: 19-8 Kamloops

3^rd Period:

VAN – At the 13:39 mark in the third period, Zack Ostapchuk (5) tied the game off a deflection that came off a pass from Fabian Lysell from the right-wing. Adam Hall notched the second assist.

KAM – With 2:37 remaining in the final frame, Logan Stankoven (8) regained the lead for Kamloops on the power play as he found himself open in the left-wing circle and ripped a one-timer past a diving Jesper Vikman. The assists came from Quinn Schiemann and Luke Toporwski.

KAM – With seven seconds remaining the in the third Logan Stankoven (9) scored his second goal of the night on a power play empty-netter. The lone assist came from Quinn Schmiemann.

Shots: 11-4 Kamloops

GAME SUMMARY

Final Score: Vancouver 2 – Kamloops 4

(Blazers lead series 3-1)

Final Shots: Kamloops 38 – Vancouver 20

Jesper Vikman: 39/42 saves for Vancouver

Dylan Garand: 18/20 saves for Kamloops

3 Stars:

1) Zack Ostapchuk (VAN – 2G)

2) Logan Stankoven (KAM – 2G)

3) Jesper Vikman (VAN – 39 Saves)

Next Game: The Giants and Blazers meet again for game five tomorrow night in Kamloops. Puck drop goes at 7:00 p.m.

NOTES:

• All five of Zack Ostapchuk’s playoff goals have been scored on home ice.
• Jesper Vikman leads the 2022 WHL playoffs in saves with 291.
• Giants Cole Shepard returned to the lineup Thursday for Vancouver after missing 22 games (13 regular season games, and nine playoffs games)
• Tonight’s loss ended the Giants three-game home ice win streak in the 2022 WHL playoffs.
• This marks the first time in a span of 10 playoff games so far that the Vancouver Giants have faced elimination.