The Greater Vancouver Canadians at least didn't have to wait long to avenge one of their most lopsided home ice losses in franchise history.
Following an 8-1 thrashing by the Okanagan Rockets on Saturday at the Ladner Leisure Centre, the Canadians regrouped for a 3-1 triumph 24 hours later to salvage a split of the weekend series and pull into a tie for third spot in the B.C.Major Midget Hockey League standings.
The Kelowna-based visitors stunned Greater Vancouver by scoring three unanswered goals in the second period to chase starting goaltender Chris Tai, then added three more in the final period to complete the game one rout. The Canadians were in penalty trouble for much of the contest and their shorthanded unit was burned for five power play goals. The Rockets set the tone by scoring twice before the game was even 90 seconds old.
The rematch proved to be a match different story as the hosts tightened up and nursed Alec Dawydiak's first period goal into the final 20 minutes when Andrew Klukas doubled the lead. The Rockets pulled within one with eight minutes remaining but Matthew Ho's empty net goal sealed the victory.
The Canadians head to Nanaimo this weekend to face the North Island Silvertips in their final regular season action of 2011. They then prepare to head across the Rockies to participate in the prestigous Macs Midget Tournament in Calgary where they will open play on Boxing Day.
Icing....
Vancouver Giants star Brendan Gallagher becomes the third ever Canadians alumni to be named to Team Canada for the World Junior Hockey Championships. The 19-year-old Montreal Canadiens draft pick joins Evander Kane (2009) and Brandon McMillan (2010).
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