Giants better batten down the hatches
Be prepared, David Tendeck. Heads up, Todd Scott.
The Vancouver Giants’ goalie of choice against the Portland Winterhawks at the Langley Events Centre will be tested if this season to date is any indication.
The Winterhawks have lost just six times (20-5-0-1) and the opposing netminder has been first star three times, including Sunday when the Saskatoon Blades’ 16-year-old rookie backstop Nolan Maier made 48 stops in a 4-0 win for the visitors at the Moda Center in Portland.
Portland is second in the league in points, three behind the Moose Jaw Warriors (21-5-1-1), who have played two more games than the Winterhawks. Portland was the No. 2 team in the national rankings released last Wednesday behind
only the Ontario Hockey League’s Sarnia Sting. Moose Jaw was No. 4.
This is one of two trips to the LEC this season for the Winterhawks. The other comes Jan. 20.
Portland has been outshot in a game a mere four times this season (4-0-0-0). The Regina Pats (1-7-1-0) and Spokane Chiefs (25-1-0) are the only other clubs in the 22-team WHL with fewer than 10 games in that category.
The Giants (12-13-2-2) have been alternating between 18-year-old sophomore Tendeck and 17-yearold rookie Scott in goal all season. Tendeck (7-6-0-1, 3.44 goalsagainst average, .898 save percentage) and Scott (5-7-2-1, 4.10 GAA, .875 save percentage) have similar numbers so far. Scott got the call in Vancouver’s last game, a 6-2 loss in Prince George on Saturday.