Miner, Vancouver Giants hand Kamloops Blazers first loss of WHL season

Vancouver Giants’ goaltender Trent Miner was not going to be beat on anything less than great on Monday at Sandman Centre.

He posted a shutout in a 4-0 victory over the Kamloops Blazers, who did not come close to great in their first defeat of the truncated WHL campaign.

Miner has not allowed a goal in three games this season.

Vancouver (4-1) seemed to manufacture more energy than Kamloops (4-1) in the first period in the empty building and was rewarded at 10:14, when Zack Ostapchuk got in alone on Blazers’ netminder Dylan Garand and went five-hole to make it 1-0.

Justin Sourdif outwaited Garand and shifted the puck to his backhand to slide it home at 11:34 of the second period, giving the Giants a two-goal cushion.

Justin Lies put Vancouver up 3-0 less than two minutes before the second intermission.

Kamloops had its chance to get back into the contest early in the third period on a five-minute power play, but looked dismal with the extra attacker.

Logan Stankoven had the best chance to score on the man advantage, but his one-timer was foiled by the left pad of Miner.

The Blazers’ power play was 0-for-4 on the night. Vancouver was 0-for-3 on the power play.

Adam Hall iced the game for the Giants at 17:14 of the third period.

Garand allowed four goals on 28 shots in his first defeat of the season.

Kamloops will next be in action on Friday, when the Victoria Royals (0-3-1-0) come to town. Game time is 7 p.m. at Sandman Centre.