A season high 45 saves from David Tendeck and some late game heroics from Tristen Nielsen helped lead the Giants within four points of third in the B.C. Division. Friday night in Kamloops, the Vancouver Giants (17-16-2-1) fell 2-1 in overtime to the B.C. Division leading Kamloops Blazers (23-11-2-1). Tristen Nielsen tied the game for Vancouver with 26.4 seconds remaining in the third period, securing the single point for the Giants. Goaltender David Tendeck was stellar for the visitors making 45 total saves, 23 of which came in the third period to help keep his team within striking distance. Blazers captain Zane Franklin struck at 3:20 of overtime to give the Blazers the victory.
1st Period:
No Scoring
Shots: 9-8 Kamloops
2nd Period:
KAM – Logan Stankoven (13) put Kamloops up 1-0 at 2:05 of the middle frame. Stankoven wired a shot from the top of the left-wing circle after the Giants had failed to clear their zone. Matthew Seminoff had the lone assist.
Shots: 11-7 Kamloops
3rd Period:
VAN – With the Giants net empty and time winding down, Tristen Nielsen (17) took matters into his own hands. He skated the puck from his own blueline down the right-wing and into the Blazers zone. From there he moved to the middle, beat the Blazers defender wide and wired a shot past Dylan Garand to tie the score. Seth Bafaro earned an assist.
Shots: 23-4 Kamloops
Overtime:
KAM – Zane Franklin (21) ended the game at 3:20 of overtime when his shot from the high-slot deflected off a Giant skater and past David Tendeck. Josh Pillar and Montana Onyebuchi both assisted.
Shots: 4-1 Kamloops
NOTES:
- Friday night’s game marked the fourth time in 37 games that the Giants did not receive a single power play in a game. It also marked the second time this season that the Giants did not surrender a power play against.
- David Tendeck’s 45 saves marked the third most saves he’s ever made in a single WHL game. During the 2017-18 season Tendeck made 49 saves on February 9th, 2018 against Seattle and then 47 saves on February 14th against Portland.
- With a goal tonight, Tristen Nielsen has now set a new single season high for points in a season with 36.