Providing the four-time defending B.C. Major Midget Hockey League champions their toughest challenge in the playoffs yet again is little consolation for the Greater Vancouver Canadians.
The Vancouver Northwest Giants rolled to another title in B.C. Hockey's showcase league for elite 15-to-17-year-old players after sweeping aside the Cariboo Cougars. It was the previous weekend they had their hands full against a Canadians team that was less than two minutes away from pulling off a major upset.
After dropping a 4-1 decision to open the best-of-three semi-final series, the Canadians rebounded with a 2-1 victory to force a deciding game.
A late second period goal by Portland Winterhawks prospect Tyler Sandhu gave the visitors a 2-1 lead and they nursed that cushion into the dying minutes of regulation time.
That's when the Canadians ran into penalty trouble as Spencer Schoen was sent off for interference with 4: 10 remaining and Trevor Lima followed him 22 seconds later for hooking.
The Giants cashed in with the extended two man advantage as Adam Helewka tied the game with 1: 55 left. The comeback was complete when Brandon Del Grosso beat goaltender Chris Tai at the 6: 55 mark of overtime.
The result marks the fourth straight year the Canadians have bowed out to the Giants in the playoffs, each time being in heartbreaking fashion. The past two seasons have also been semi-final series that went the distance.
"We really couldn't have done anything much better than we did," said head coach Leland Mack of the latest series. "They went six for 18 on the power play and we were two for 12. That was basically the difference between the two teams. Of our seven penalties in game three I would say five or six were the right calls. It was just the timing of them that really hurt."
The Canadians record against the Giants since head coach Leland Mack's arrival is 9-10-2, easily the best in the league over a three season span.
