Hitmen rally for point in Vancouver but fall in OT

Tim Traber scored at 2:04 of overtime lifting the Vancouver Giants to a 4-3 win over the Calgary Hitmen Wednesday night at Pacific Coliseum.

The Giants used a strong first period to build a 3-0 lead on goals from Blake Orban, Alec Baer and Cain Franson.

Jake Virtanen got the Hitmen on the board in the second period scoring his eighth of the season and fifth goal in four games.

In the third period, Calgary completed the regulation comeback on goals from Elliott Peterson and Calder Brooks.  The tying goal from Brooks came with 5:31 remaining.

Calgary outshot Vancouver 35-33 with both teams going 0-4 on the powerplay.

Despite the overtime loss the Hitmen have now picked up a point in eight straight games going 6-0-1-1 in that span.

Overall Calgary leads the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference with 20 points holding a record of 9-3-1-1.  They also move into a tie for first overall with the Spokane Chiefs.

After a day off tomorrow, Calgary plays game three of their four game British Columbia road trip Friday in Prince George.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan begins at 8 p.m.

Next Hitmen home game is Sunday, November 3rd against the Edmonton Oil Kings.  Game time is 4:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. 

                                                       Photo Credit:  CJ Relke

Calgary Hitmen 3 at Vancouver Giants 4 (OT)
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC

Calgary 0 1 2 0 - 3
Vancouver 3 0 0 1 - 4

1st Period
1, Vancouver, Orban 1 (McEvoy, Baer), 4:18.
2, Vancouver, Baer 3 (Morrison), 6:39.
3, Vancouver, Franson 1 (Baer), 19:21.
Penalties-Brassart Cal (cross checking), 1:31; Thomas Cal (holding), 14:31; Atwal Van (holding opp. stick), 16:48; Zgraggen Cal (hooking), 19:40.

2nd Period
4, Calgary, Virtanen 8 8:35.
Penalties-Zgraggen Cal (hooking), 10:25; Popoff Van (hooking), 14:16.

3rd Period
5, Calgary, Peterson 4 (Brooks), 4:57.
6, Calgary, Brooks 2 (Padakin, Zgraggen), 15:29.
Penalties-McEvoy Van (high sticking), 11:02; McEvoy Van (high sticking), 13:22.

OT Period
7, Vancouver, Traber 3 (Popoff, Atwal), 2:04.
Penalties-Brassart Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 0:00; Thrower Van (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 0:00; Thrower Van (10-minute misconduct), 2:00.

Shots on Goal
Calgary 6-12-16-1-35. Vancouver 12-12-7-2-33.
Power Play Opportunities
Calgary 0 / 4; Vancouver 0 / 4.
Goalies
Calgary, Driedger 4-3-1-2 (33 shots-29 saves). Vancouver, Lee 3-7-1-0 (35 shots-32 saves).
A-4,108
Referees-Ryan Benbow (62), Steve Papp (17).
Linesmen-Michael Bean (148), Tim Digby (75).