Two very different games showed two sides of the Vancouver Giants over the past week.
On Jan. 24, the Giants hosted the Spokane Chiefs at the Langley Events Centre and were walloped 5-0.
“From minute to minute, we weren’t very good,” was Giants head coach Jason McKee’s blunt assessment of the evening.
But after a tough game, the Giants bounced back, if not to a win, at least to an additional point for an overtime loss.
Two days later, the team picked itself up and put in a valiant effort against the Victoria Royals, second in the B.C. division.
“In this league, the teams are so good,” said McKee. And despite not quite getting the win, he was pleased with the way the Giants played on Jan. 26.
“I thought our guys bounced back well on Friday,” McKee said. “Our effort was definitely there,” he noted.
McKee believes that after the 5-0 loss, the general feeling among the Giants was embarassment.
“They knew their shortcomings on the Wednesday,” he said. Work ethic was the issue.
“When you’re not prepared, it’s tough to execute,” McKee said.
The rivalry with Victoria has become intense, as the teams are very evenly matched.
“The last few games, we’ve gone to extra time,” said McKee.
The previous tilt with Victoria went to a shootout.
Also on McKee’s mind is the injury list, which is currently occupied by one of the Giants key players – Milos Roman.
“He’s definitely a guy we rely on heavily,” said McKee. Roman just returned recently from playing for Slovakia in the World Juniors. Fortunatley, he’s the only player currently nursing a serious injury.