Vancouver's Giant Secret
In the last 10 of the Vancouver Giants’ playoff games, Craig Cunningham has 19 points, including 11 goals.
byLina Zarate
The Vancouver Giants have their work cut out for them against the Tri-City Americans, but they are up to the challenge, Craig Cunningham said.
Despite losing to Tri-City every time they faced off during the regular season, the Giants’ assistant captain and top scorder said his team will put up a good fight in tonight’s Wesern Hockey League semi-final matchup.
“We’re known as a hard-working, floor-checking, good defensive team. We expect the series to be tight,” said Craig Cunningham. “The deeper you get in the playoffs, the harder it becomes to score goals.”
The Tri-City Americans, who were first place in the Western Conference during the regular season with 47 wins in 72 games, will have home ice advantage for tonight’s game at the Toyota Centre in Kennewick,Wash.
“Tri-City has smaller players that are quick.
They’ve got three in lines of scoring so our biggest thing is staying above them and not giving them easy automatic rushes,” said Cunningham. “So if we can put backside pressure on their forwards, that can move the puck up the ice. Our forwards back checking in the ice — that is going to be key in the series.”
The Giants management made some key acquisition that strengthened the team and gave them confidence for the playoffs, according to Cunningham.
“This is the toughest time of the year, but also the most rewarding,” he said. “The guys are very focused and very excited about the opportunity and the challenge that lies ahead.”
Both WHL semi-final matches begins tonight with the winner of this best-of-seven series to play the Eastern Conference champions. If the Giants win, they will face either the Brandon Wheat Kings or Calgary Hitmen.
The WHL Chapions will get to compete for against Memorial Cup, junior hockey’s greatest prize. The last time the Giants won the Memorial Cup was in 2007, Cunningham’s rookie season.
Even though tickets have sold briskly for Giants playoff games, Langara students do not seem to follow the Giants. The NHL playoffs are on at the same time and the Canucks are getting most hockey fan’s attention.
The Giants will be back at the Pacific Coliseum for Game 3 on Tuesday.
Tickets are available for $19.50.