The Vancouver Giants roar back from a 4-2 deficit to beat the Kamloops Blazers 5-4 in overtime, with Ty Halaburda sealing the deal in dramatic fashion.
Giants Pull Off Stunning Overtime Win
What a night it was in Kamloops! The Vancouver Giants turned what looked like a sure loss into an unforgettable 5-4 overtime victory against the Blazers on Saturday. Ty Halaburda became the hero of the night, burying the game-winner just 3:45 into overtime and sending the Giants bench into a frenzy.
A Hot Start, a Rough Middle, and a Roaring Comeback
The Giants wasted no time taking control. Cameron Schmidt struck early on a power play, blasting a shot past Kamloops goalie Ivans Kufterins. Moments later, Brett Olson made it 2-0 after a slick cross-ice feed from rookie Luca Pura—who celebrated his first-ever WHL point.
But momentum can be a fickle thing. Kamloops answered with four straight goals, including a natural hat-trick from Keller and a power-play strike from Eveschesen. Suddenly, Vancouver found themselves down 4-2 and searching for answers.
Resilience Becomes the Game Plan
Instead of folding, the Giants dug in. Schmidt—who’s been red hot lately—cut the deficit on a 5-on-3 power play, sniping from his favorite spot in the right circle. Moments later, Leonardo Domenichelli, in just his debut scoring appearance, tied the game 4-4 with a wrist shot that found the blocker side.
Assistant Coach Gaelan Patterson couldn’t have been prouder:
“We’ve preached resilience from day one. They scored four straight, and we just stayed brave, stuck to our game, and found a way to fight back.”
That fighting spirit was on full display in the third. Goalie Brett Pyne came up clutch with several highlight-reel saves, including a lightning-fast post-to-post sequence that kept the game tied.
Halaburda’s Heroics Seal the Night
When overtime rolled around, the Giants looked calm and confident. Schmidt—who already had two goals and an assist—threaded a perfect pass to Ty Halaburda. With ice in his veins, Halaburda ripped home his ninth goal of the season, capping off one of the team’s gutsiest performances yet.
What’s Next
The Giants now turn their attention to a quick turnaround, hosting the Blazers once again on Sunday at the Langley Events Centre. If Saturday’s drama was any preview, fans are in for another electric showdown.
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