Official 2008-09 Vancouver Giants Season Thread

[Robbie]

With the pre-season having started, this is the Vancouver Giants season thread. They won their first pre-season game over Everett 4-0.

Three seasons ago, the Giants won the WHL championship and two seasons ago, they won the Memorial Cup. But last season, they had to settle for only a BC Division championship as they were eliminated in the second round. Let's see how well the team does this year.

September 26 – Home Opener / BC Division Banner Night

The Giants kick-off their regular season home schedule by raising another banner to the Coliseum rafters in a pre-game ceremony. The first 8,000 fans through the doors will receive a mini-replica 2007-2008 BC Division Championship Banner! Plus, use your ticket to gain FREE ADMISSION TO PLAYLAND on Saturday, September 27 after 2:00pm!

[Bobbyp]

Are these idiots still scheduling games at the same time the Lions are?

[Soundy]

Yeah, you just know they're sitting down in the league office and paying special attention to ensuring the Giants' schedule clashes with the Lions', JUST to p!$$ you off. You know, in between making sure none of the other 21 teams in the WHL have any conflicts with any other sports...

*ahem* meanwhile... looks like a pretty significant roster turnover this year, even moreso than last year, especially when it comes to long-term "star" players. Fortunately they'll still have Sexy between the pipes this year, so there's some hope!

[Toppy Vann]

Yeah, you just know they're sitting down in the league office and paying special attention to ensuring the Giants' schedule clashes with the Lions', JUST to p!$$ you off. You know, in between making sure none of the other 21 teams in the WHL have any conflicts with any other sports...

*ahem* meanwhile... looks like a pretty significant roster turnover this year, even moreso than last year, especially when it comes to long-term "star" players. Fortunately they'll still have Sexy between the pipes this year, so there's some hope!

I think the Giants are truly a class organization but *ahem* Soundy, yes the WHL schedulers should avoid head to head with the CFL.

Why can't you concede without derision that these guys raising this issue have at least of modicum of correctness in raising this issue?

I know a number of Lion and Giant fans.

[Soundy]

My derision is aimed at the (rather snooty) implication that the Giants organization themselves have specifically gone out of their way to schedule games opposite the Lions' schedule, which is patently ridiculous if for no other fact than that NO pro or semi-pro league team does its own scheduling.

And to insist that the league should avoid clashing with other sports' schedules is equally ridiculous. Between all the other pro sports that go in this town alone, it would leave about 3 days a year free. And remember, it's the BC Lions - should the schedule of every other BC team in the WHL also bend to the Lions? Imagine what a time they'd have scheduling Alberta WHL teams if they worried about other pro schedules, with TWO CFL and NHL teams in the province!

There may be a "modicum of correctness in raising this issue" but calling the team themselves "idiots" and insinuating that they schedule that way INTENTIONALLY is more than a modicum of silliness.

[Toppy Vann]

Well Soundy, that shows how little you know about either sports scheduling or scheduling major events in a major metropolitan area like Vancouver.

There are many, many organizations who respect their members and in some cases, fans, and don't double book events. Events I've been involved with have looked at the major sports teams like the BC Lions and the Canucks to avoid conflicts. I know that Brian Burke used to try and avoid Lion game nights as he was a seasons ticket holder and a good community guy. He couldn't always deliver but he would let the NHL know his preference. There are many minor leagues who do the same to avoid conflicts.

Your exaggeration of the number of dates without clashes is a bit much but then again so is your take on this. You just can't see another point of view which is fine. Narrow minds all think alike.

[Soundy]

Well Soundy, that shows how little you know about either sports scheduling or scheduling major events in a major metropolitan area like Vancouver.

There are many, many organizations who respect their members and in some cases, fans, and don't double book events.

Respect is one thing... reality is another. It's simply not possible to entirely avoid conflicts.

Your exaggeration of the number of dates without clashes is a bit much but then again so is your take on this. You just can't see another point of view which is fine. Narrow minds all think alike.

You mean narrow minds that say things like "Are these idiots still scheduling games at the same time the Lions are"?

[Robbie]

Congratulations to forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel for being named as the WHL Player of the Week.

http://www.vancouvergiants.com/news/0809/1007.htm

[Robbie]

While there is still inconsistency with the Canucks, there's certainly no inconsistency with Vancouver's other hockey team. As of January 5, 2009 the Giants only have three regulation losses with a 32-3-3 record and is well leading the B.C. Division and has a great chance of finishing first and getting home ice advantage in the Western Conference as well. Overall in the WHL, the Giants are trailing only the Calgary Hitmen but also have played five fewer games. Led by forwards Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Evander Kane along with a solid defence led by Jonathon Blum and goaltender Tyson Sexsmith, the Giants are in good shape to reclaim the WHL championship.

[Soundy]

Evander Kane had a pretty good showing at the World Juniors the last couple weeks, too, after just missing the cut in tryouts and then getting recalled because another player was injured.

Alas, I've made it to only one game this year: Saturday's loss to the Kamloops Blazers. It was the Giants first regulation loss of the season at home, too. Pretty amazing to be halfway through the season and only have one regulation and two shootout losses on home ice!

[Robbie]

Congrats to the Giants for clinching first in both the BC Division and the Western Conference. While of course the main goal is to win the WHL championship and then ultimately the Memorial Cup, there is still a trophy that the Giants have never won in their trophy case in their relatively young existence.

The Giants have never won the Scotty Munro Memorial trophy for finishing first overall in the WHL regular season standings. It would be a good first challenge before the playoffs to see if the Giants can overtake the Calgary Hitmen before the season is over.

[Dan_Payne_fan!!]

Just a heads up, if you cant make it to the game tonight it will be on sportsnet, im not sure if its in HD or not, but the game will be on sportsnet

[Robbie]

Well, the Giants couldn't win this trophy in the end. But good luck in the playoffs.

[Robbie]

Congrats to the Giants for going to the second round after a sweep of PG.

I was surprised to hear about the city of Spokane did. It goes to show how much they love their NCAA basketball team that other teams take a back stage. Game 5 of Seattle at Spokane originally scheduled on Friday has been postponed to Saturday, so that everyone in Spokane can watch Gonzaga take on North Carolina in the South Regional Semifinal in Memphis Tennessee.

[bclions16]

Congrats to the Giants for going to the second round after a sweep of PG.

I was surprised to hear about the city of Spokane did. It goes to show how much they love their NCAA basketball team that other teams take a back stage. Game 5 of Seattle at Spokane originally scheduled on Friday has been postponed to Saturday, so that everyone in Spokane can watch Gonzaga take on North Carolina in the South Regional Semifinal in Memphis Tennessee.

Surprised? It's a completely predictable and reasonable move.