Giants Too Much For Cougars

By Kelly Sharp

      Cougars #10 Sammy Muchalla tries to find the loose puck against the Giants at Kin One

Two second period power play goals and a stifling defense sparked the Vancouver Northwest Giants to a 4-1 victory over the Cariboo Cougars and a sweep of the best-of-three BC Hockey Major Midget playoff final before a capacity crowd at the Kin One Centre in Prince George. A solo effort by Ryan Howse on the power play late in the opening period pulled the major midget Cougars into a 1-1 tie after the opening 20 minutes. The Vancouver power play went to work in the middle frame connecting on two of three opportunities for a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. The Giants defense, led by anchors Tyler Mah and Stefan Elliott, kept the smaller Cariboo Cougar forwards from posing any serious offensive threats in the third period.

“Defense has been first for us all year,” first year Giants defenseman Kevin Smith said.

“We’ve worked hard on defending all year, you have to have the puck before you can score, so you have to work awfully hard,” Vancouver Northwest Giants head coach Grant Kerr said. Timely scoring and staunch defense was the combination that proved too much for the Prince George based Cariboo Cougars.

“It wasn’t for a lack of effort,” Cariboo Cougars head coach Grant Williams said. “They capitalized on their power plays obvious special teams were the difference.”

“We didn’t create enough offense,” Cougars forward Drew Nelson said. “We played are hearts out though.”

For long-time junior and minor hockey coach Grant Williams, the loss ended his first season behind the bench in ten years.

“I am extremely grateful to Brent (Williams) and Dave (Keough) for asking me to help them out. This group of parents and this group of boys have made it an extremely enjoyable year. I don’t know if I ever had a more enjoyable hockey season.”

The Giants advance to the Pacific Cup Alberta/BC major midget final. If Red Deer captures the Alberta title, the Giants will receive an automatic berth into the Telus Cup national midget championship tournament next month in Red Deer.

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