Balakrishnan and Pang Star for U18 Canadians in Lopsided Losses

Affiliated player Magnus Balakrishnan scored on Saturday, goaltender Aidan Pang made 60 saves on Wednesday, and the rest of their teammates played hard in both games, but the U18 AAA Greater Vancouver Canadians were swept by the Valley West Giants in their home-and-home series (Oct. 18 and Oct. 22), leaving the club winless on the season.  

The U18 Canadians are 0-8-0 after eight games.

The home-and-home began on Saturday, with GVC losing 12-1 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Balakrishnan’s goal, the team’s second of the season, came with assists from Hayden Sahota Rai and Hunter Douglas Vye Weedon—three affiliated players called up to help fill a short-handed Canadians roster. Thrust into action under tough conditions, the trio found the scoresheet, even as the team endured a lopsided defeat.

Four days later, the Canadians fell 14-0 at the Langley Events Centre. Pang played the whole game on Wednesday and faced 31 shots alone in the third period as Valley West outshot GVC 74-12.

Despite being winless, the Canadians are just six points out of seventh place. Although they have not won a game, they remain, by far, the most disciplined team in the division, averaging only five penalty minutes per game.

The next games for the U18 Canadians take place on Oct. 25-26 at the Richmond Olympic Oval against the Cariboo Cougars (4-3-1), who are tied for third in the standings with the Giants. Puck drop is set for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.