U18 Canadians Eliminated in Two Close Games in Playoffs’ First Round

The U18 AAA Greater Vancouver Canadians were swept in two close games in their best-of-three opening playoff series over the weekend against the Valley West Giants, losing 4-3 in OT on Friday and then 5-3 on Saturday.

Friday’s game took place at Langley’s Canlan Ice Sports Twin Rinks, and Saturday’s contest was held at Delta’s Planet Ice. 

On Friday, Kaden Meyer scored in the first period to tie the game 1-1 before the Giants scored twice in the second to go ahead 3-1. A.J. Abell scored with 1:14 left in the period and then Luca Martyniuk made it 3-3 just 1:21 into the third. The Giants, though, won the game with five seconds left in the 10-minute overtime period. In the loss, Alan Peregrym came up with 39 big saves. All three GVC goals came with the man advantage. 

On Saturday, Aidan Mark opened the scoring with 26 seconds left in the first, and Kaden Meyer’s power-play tally five minutes into the second gave GVC a 2-1 lead. A.J. Abell then scored with 4:21 left in the period to tie the game 3-3, but the Giants scored the series winner with 41 seconds remaining in the same frame and got an empty-netter with 35 seconds left in regulation. In goal, Alan Peregrym faced another 45 shots and finished the series with a .909 save percentage and respectable 3.74 goals-against average.

In the two playoff games, A.J. Abell and Kaden Meyer both had two goals to lead the GVC attack, with Meyer and Luca Martyniuk finishing tied for the team lead with four points. 

Although the team fell short of its championship goal, there were still some memorable moments during the season, including a 6-2-2 run early in the campaign and strong performances from many players on the club. 

Also, a special shout-out to the U18 club’s graduation players: Nick Drapack, Cohen Smith, A.J. Abell, and Aidan Mark, whom we wish nothing but success as they move on to the next phases of their life journeys. Thank you for all you have done!