Welcome to the daily WHL playoff recap focusing on the Western Conference. Here is a look back at the day that was:
Vancouver Giants (3) vs Kamloops Blazers (2)
The Vancouver Giants handed the Kamloops Blazers’ their first loss of the 2022 playoffs in a 3-2 victory in Game 3. Kamloops was 6-0 coming into the game having already won both Games 1 and 2 at home. Jesper Vikman made 34 saves in the victory while Dylan Garand stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced.
The Giants opened the scoring thanks to Justin Lies midway through the first period. The score would stay 1-0 until Fraser Minten tied the game midway through the second. The Giants regained the lead before Ty Thorpe scored on the power play late in the second to take a 2-1 lead. Kamloops tied the game on the power play thanks to Drew Englot in the third but Alex Cotton’s power play goal with less than five minutes remaining stood as the winner as the Giants claimed victory 3-2.
Power plays were a huge factor in this game. The Giants went two for two while Kamloops went one for six. With under four seconds left, Kamloops thought they had tied the game but after a lengthy review, it was determined the puck never crossed the line thanks to some heroics for Vikman and Giants defender Conner Horning. These two teams meet again in Game 4 on Thursday night in Langley.