Benson’s back as Giants trend upward

GAME DAY: VANCOUVER AT VICTORIA 7 p.m. at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre TV: None / Radio: The Zone 91.3 FM

There will be a rare Tyler Benson sighting tonight on Blanshard Street. The Edmonton Oilers-signed prospect, the first overall pick in the 2013 Western Hockey League bantam draft, has suffered through long stretches of injury in his WHL career with the Vancouver Giants.

The latest, which led to off-season sports-hernia surgery, has had Benson on the shelf since Jan. 2. But the 19-year-old Vancouver captain, a likely selection for the Canadian team for the world junior championship in December, finally returned to action Friday night at the Langley Events Centre and scored a goal as his Giants fell 2-1 to the Prince George Cougars.

The Giants, who appear slowly on the rise after dropping the first two games of the season to Victoria, meet the Royals again tonight and Sunday at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in a two-game set that could prove telling.

Vancouver did better on its recent seven-game road trip, going 3-2-2, than Victoria did on its at 3-4. The Giants are giving indications they could break the drought in which they have missed the playoffs the past three seasons and four of the past five.

“Vancouver has improved all season. We knew it was going to be a competitive team, so no one is surprised by that,” said Victoria head coach Dan Price.

The Giants now also have the added dimension Benson brings to the lineup.

“He is a very good player on both sides of the puck,” Price added.

Vancouver could have the best line in the league if Benson is teamed with 20-year-olds Ty Ronning and Brad Morrison.

“No matter where they put him, Tyler Benson is going to create opportunities,” said Price.

The Giants are 5-6-2 after their loss to Prince George on Friday night.

Despite Victoria’s slight slide on its draining, two-week road swing through Washington state and four provinces, the Royals are 10-4-1 and remain the most potent offensive unit in the WHL.

“We love our building and the players are looking forward to playing in front of their own fans again,” said Price, who added his squad will be more than ready for the Giants.

“Our trainers have done a great job in making sure our guys are rested and recovered.”