The Giants’ playoff push, by the numbers
Kelowna Rockets and Victoria Royals the main rivals in B.C. Division chase
Here’s a look at the Vancouver Giants ’ playoff push by the numbers. The WHL regular season ends March 18.
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Games Vancouver has remaining against teams that would not qualify for the playoffs as of Wednesday morning, compared to nine for the Victoria Royals and 11 for the Kelowna Rockets. Vancouver (25-15-4-3) had 25 games left in the regular season going into a Wednesday matchup at the Langley Events Centre against the Spokane Chiefs, who held the second of two wild-card spots in the Western Conference. The top three teams from both the B.C. and U.S. divisions advance to the Western post-season, followed by the two next-best records regardless of division. Vancouver started Wednesday third in B.C., one point in back of the Royals (27-17-3-1) and four behind the front-running Rockets (29-14-2-1). Vancouver had a game in hand on Victoria to start the day while the Rockets had one in hand on the Giants.
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Games remaining between the Giants, Royals and Rockets. Vancouver plays Kelowna four more times and Victoria twice, while Victoria and Kelowna square off on three occasions. That, more than anything, will decide the division placings. The first-place team meets one of the wild cards in the first round, while second and third go head-tohead. Vancouver is 2-1-1-0 against Kelowna this season and 3-3-0-2 vs. Victoria.
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Vancouver’s standing in the league when it came to home-ice record as of Wednesday morning, thanks to a 13-8-1-1 mark. Victoria (15-5-1-0) was eighth and Kelowna was fifth (17-4-0-1). Vancouver (127-3-2) had the league’s fifth-best away record to start the day, while Victoria (12-12-2-1) was eighth and Kelowna (12-10-2-0) ninth.
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Vancouver’s league ranking on the penalty kill in away games (75.5 per cent, 26 goals against on 106 chances) to start the day. Its home penalty kill was sixth (80.2 per cent, 16-for-81). Overall, the penalty kill was 12th (77.5 per cent). The Giants’ power play was 10th (22.5 per cent), thanks to a 10th-place ranking at home (24.7 per cent, 21-for-85) and an 11th on the road (20.2 per cent, 17-for-84). Kelowna had the sixth-best power play (27.1 per cent) while Victoria was ninth (23.4 per cent). On the penalty kill, Kelowna was 14th (77.2 per cent) and Victoria was 21st (73 per cent).
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Playoff games experienced by the Giants roster, a result of Vancouver missing the post-season the past three springs and four of the last five campaigns. Ty Ronning (2) and Matt Barberis (1) are the only Giants to have played playoff games in Vancouver colours. Midseason trade pickup Jared Dmytriw leads Vancouver with 26 playoff starts, all coming during his time with the Royals. Bringing in Brennan Riddle (22) and Davis Koch (11) at the trade deadline enhanced Vancouver’s total despite trading out Brad Morrison (11). The Royals roster features a combined 336 playoff games, while Kelowna has 321. Rockets forward Dillon Dube has played in 54 WHL playoff games alone.