Game 1 of the second-round series between Kamloops and Vancouver is Friday at the Sandman Centre (Image Credit: WHL)
BLAZERS-GIANTS PREVIEW

Blazers confident with Giants matchup, know Vancouver’s hot coming off big upset

May 5, 2022 | 3:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — As the Blazers concluded their sweep of the Spokane Chiefs last Friday, the expectation all along was the No. 1 seed Everett would finish off the Vancouver Giants and set up a Kamloops-Portland second round.

That, of course, did not happen. The Giants upset the Silvertips in six games to earn a date with the Blazers.

“Everyone expected Everett to beat Vancouver, just with the seeding [1 vs. 8], but at the end of the day it’s playoffs and anything can happen,” said Blazers forward Logan Stankoven, who is third in WHL Playoff scoring with 13 points but has the most points per game with more than three. “We played Vancouver all year and we know what they’re capable of. Obviously, they had a great series and they’re kind of the hot team right now.”

Head coach Shaun Clouston added, “Vancouver’s top line was outstanding. They were hard to handle, so that was part of it. Getting [goaltender Jesper] Vikman back and reasonably healthy enough to play I think helped their morale.”

The Giants are certainly on fire, especially their top line of captain Zack Ostapchuk, Fabian Lysell and Adam Hall, who combined for 41 points in round one. Ostapchuk leads the playoffs with 16 points and Lysell is right behind with 15 against Everett.

Vancouver defenseman Alex Cotton is tied with Stankoven with 13 points so far.

“Everybody in our lineup took that extra step. I don’t think it was just a couple guys,” said Ostapchuk, who is the WHL Player of the Week. “Our top six, bottom six, young guys, old guys, everybody took a step and we needed that.”

Giants head coach Michael Dyck added, “We’ve got guys that are really contributing on the offensive side of things, but we’ve got a lot of guys that are contributing in different ways. I think that’s been the key for us, whether it’s Colton Langkow and Kyle Bochek on the physical side of things, our defense blocking a lot of shots, Jaden Lipinski and Ethan Semeniuk giving us a lot of energy. Everybody’s doing their part to give us the success we’re having.”

The Blazers also have contend with Jesper Vikman, who didn’t have great stats in the first-round victory — a 3.69 goals-against average and .886 saves percentage in five games — but he was great when needed, including a 50-save shutout in a Game 5 win.

“We’ve been pretty inconsistent regular season here, but I feel like our game and our team finally got together here and the results speak for themselves,” said Vikman.

However, Kamloops won the season series 10-1-1 and are confident they can win a best-of-seven series against one of their B.C. Division foes.

“I think we’re happy we get the Vancouver Giants in this matchup, I think we’re confident about the series,” said Blazers forward Fraser Minten. “But at the same time we’re not taking them lightly. They’ve got some good players, especially a really good first line that’s hot right now. Good goalie, so I think it’ll be a good series.”

Game 1 of the second-round series is Friday (May 6) at the Sandman Centre. Game 2 goes Saturday (May 7).