1 One giant advantage for host team
by Hosea C
Monday, April 2, 2007
Playoff fever has come early for the city of Vancouver.
The Vancouver Giants are currently in the Western Hockey League playoffs, and are hoping to draw a big buzz around the city especially with the Memorial Cup taking place here in late May.
With 2007 being one of the most important years in Giants’ history, this WHL team plans to build a dynasty that will be talked about for years. After winning the 2006 WHL Championship last season, the Giants went on to the Memorial Cup where they were defeated in the semifinals.
The taste of defeat still lingers in the mouth of this season’s team but the hunger for victory is growing.
The Giants dominated the WHL playoffs last year as they lost only two games during the entire post-season to claim the President’s Cup Trophy.
This year, Vancouver hopes to repeat their success by winning back-to-back championships in just their fifth season in the league.
Guaranteed a spot in the Memorial Cup as the 2007 hosts of the event, the Giants will then set their sights on the four-team tournament to crown the Canadian Hockey League’s champion.
The Giants will have an extra incentive to win as the Memorial Cup shifts to Vancouver, and you can bet that they’re looking to please the home crowd.
Being led by WHL First Team All-Star defenceman Cody Franson and Boston Bruins prospect Milan Lucic, the Giants appear hard to beat on paper.
However, coach Don Hay intends to stick to the game plan that made them successful last year: hard work and teamwork.
The Giants showed signs of inconsistency in their work effort this season but still managed to uphold their elite status, placing fourth in the league and first in their division.
Although some might consider last year’s unit to be more talented, this season’s squad provides a decent mix of toughness, tenacity, skill and experience.
Having eight NHL draftees and a strong contingent of depth players, the Giants are expected to go deep into the WHL playoffs.
However, Vancouver’s post-season hopes will rest between the pipes with rookie goaltender Tyson Sexsmith carrying the load.
With the support of hometown fans and the high level of energy they provide, the Giants will have an ace up their sleeve throughout the Memorial Cup series.
They hope to build enough momentum through the WHL playoffs in order to capture their first ever CHL championship.
This contagious hockey fever will continue to spread until the cure of victory or defeat is attained.
In Vancouver’s case, the Giants are playing for the former rather then the latter.
