GAME 45 - FIREBIRDS @ WHALERS




Rivalries are never more fierce than when they're local, and the one shared by the Vancouver Whalers and Prince George Firebirds is exactly that. Besides sharing a province, both teams share a goal to be the best team in their Western Conference, and as always it was a tough game for both sides as they faced off against each other.





1. Highlight Reel

First period, 13:01

"Thor Pederson receives the pass from Lars Dahlstrom in his own zone and will skate with it! He has the opportunity to pass but decides to skate ahead, and it's fired from just inside the blueline! Dafoe tries to stop it high glove side but it's beaten him, Vancouver takes the lead!"



Second period, 0:36

"Theodore Graham makes the breakout pass out of the Whalers zone and it will be received by Jon Ross. Ross skates it in, he has Sanders to his left, Ross passes it to Sanders who shoots and scores! The Whalers double their lead!"



Second Period, 11:52

"Kubrak possesses the puck for the Whalers, it's slid to Biznette. Biznette passes it down the ice to Carl Farris, Farris shoots from the point and it goes past Dafoe and into the net. Three goal lead for the Whalers!"






2. You and me got a whole lotta history...

Being local rivals means there's some bitter history between the Prince George Firebirds and the Vancouver Whalers, and this was really on show in their S28 playoff series. In the Western Semis, Vancouver were expected to do the business on Prince George who had traded away some players and were mostly looking to retool for the next season. However, fans of both teams were left stunned when the series lasted just 5 games, as the Firebirds delivered an emphatic 4-1 series win over the Whalers. Every game these teams play feels like it could erupt, but but game 5 of the series took this to an extreme. Penalties were constantly being called as the Firebirds took a convincing 3-1 win in the Whalers own Pacific Colosseum. A true rivalry between two teams that have a lot to play for again this season.

3. I have to praise you like I should...
The Game's Unsung Heroes.

Now comes the time when we pick a player for each team who stood out for something a bit less obvious than the usual statistics we consider. For the Vancouver Whalers, we have Triforce Link. Being a goalie isn't ever a easy job; so much expectation is placed on the shoulders of one player that they can crack even in games when they aren't called on too often. Triforce Link however delivered a good performance for the Whalers, saving 14 out of the 15 shots he faced to give a 0.933 save percentage, and most importantly, win his team the game. When it comes to the Firebirds, their unsung hero would have to be defenseman Tapper Kottbulle. A big bodied defender ho player big minutes, Tapper Kottbulle was on the ice for nearly half the game, managed to avoid being a minus unlike the majority of players on his team and delivered a point in the form of an assist. His hard working performance when his team wasn't firing around him earns him his place as the game's unsung hero on the Firebirds.

In conclusion

A fierce rivalry that did not disappoint, the Whalers played a comprehensive and impressive game that hints strongly at a chance at postseason success.

Final Score:

Prince George Firebirds - 1
Vancouver Whalers - 3