The Vancouver Giants have forced a game seven tonight for the Western Hockey League Championship.
The Giants have climbed back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Prince Albert Raiders with two straight wins, including a 4-2 triumph on Sunday night in Saskatchewan.
Jared Dmytriw’s early third period goal snapped a 2-2 deadlock. Davis Koch added an empty net insurance goal while netminder David Tendeck was terrific, making 36 saves. The Raiders outshot Vancouver 38-27.
The teams were deadlocked at 2-2 after 20 minutes with Owen Hardy and Koch erasing a 1-0 Prince Albert lead. A scoreless second period set the stage for Dmytriw’s game winner when he pounced on a rebound and backhanded it over the right pad of Ian Scott — silencing the capacity crowd of 3,289.
Dmytriw has now recorded seven points through six games in this series, which is tied for the team lead with Bowen Byram. He also leads the team with a +3 rating.
Never at any point during the 2018-19 regular season or playoffs have the Raiders lost three in a row. The visiting Giants will look to become the first team to accomplish that feat tonight (6 p.m.). The winner advances to the Memorial Cup in Halifax, starting on Friday.
The game can be heard on Sportsnet 650 with Dan O’Connor and Bill Wilms.
The Giants are also hosting a Watch Party at the Langley Events Centre. $15 admission includes dinner.
