Burnaby-based midget Giants move to within two points of lead

Burnaby's Adam Helewka helped propel the Northwest Giants into second place in the B.C. major midget hockey standings.

Helewka tallied the game-winning goal in the Giants' 3-1 victory over the Valley West Hawks at the Burnaby Winter Club on Sunday.

The 6-0 Burnaby forward also assisted on Taylor Tanti's second of the game and eventual game-winner on Saturday that ended up in a 2-0 win over the Hawks on Saturday night.

Braden Kropfoss got the shutout for the Giants. Liam Smith of Burnaby recorded the win in goal on Saturday.

Eric Margo and Trevor Stack, with his first goal of the season, also scored in the Giants' 3-1 win.

The back-to-back victories vaulted the Giants into sole possession of second place in the 11-team loop over the Greater Vancouvler Canadians and Northeast Chiefs, who split their weekend series.

The Thompson Blazers also failed to pick up valuable points, garnering just a draw with the Okanagan Rockets in their two-game set.

The outcome allowed the Kelowna club to move to within a point of a three-team logjam in fourth place between the Chiefs, Hawks and Blazers.

The Cariboo Cougars lead the league with 17 points, but have played two more games than the Giants.

"We wanted to get through this weekend. It was big for us," said second-year Giants head coach Todd Harkins.

But equally important is this weekend's head-to-head meeting with the Canadians at the winter club.

Last season, the Giants split the first meeting between the two clubs, before getting past Greater Vancouver in the playoff semifinals in three one-goal nailbiters.

But while this year's roster took longer to decide upon, its back-end-loaded strengths are more to Harkins' liking.

"It's very different from last year's team," Harkins said. "We have great goaltending and great defence, and a young new group trying to find their way up front."

Harkins assembled this season's Giants from just one returning forward and two defenceman from last year, including Burnaby's Joseph Carvalho.

"We might have some hiccups here and there but one intangible I preach is hard work, and they bring that every day into practice and to games," Harkins added.

Helewka is second overall on the squad in goals, with five, and total points, with 10.

Margo leads all Giant scorers with 13 points. Mitch Cristanti has a team-high six goals.

The Giants are at home for an important two-game stand against the third-place Canadians Saturday and Sunday at the winter club.

Game time Saturday is 7:45 p.m., while the Sunday morning contest faces off at 9:30 a.m.