The Northwest Giants will meet a familiar foe in the semifinals of the B.C. major midget hockey league playoffs.
The Giants will host the Greater Vancouver Canadians in a best-of-three semifinal series at the Burnaby Winter Club, beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Giants took its first round quarter-final series in two straight, downing the South Island Royals 6-4 and 5-0 at home last weekend.
Burnaby’s Keyvan Mokhtari scored what proved to be the series-winner midway through the first period in Saturday’s matchup at the winter club.Trevor Whithers recorded the shutout for the Giants.
Quinn Thompson, Desmond Bradford-Burgart and Mokhtari all had a goals and an assist for the Giants.
In the opener, Justin Szeto of Burnaby led the regular season champs with a goal and two helpers.
Ryland Chernomaz, Dante Fabbro and Thompson chipped in with two-point outings. Tavin Grant recorded the win in goal.
The Giants have met the Canadians in the semifinals for the past four seasons, winning all of them by a 2-1 scoreline.
The two teams also met in the playoff final in 2009, with the Giants taking that one by a similar 2-1 advantage.
“It wouldn’t be the BCMML without a game against the Giants,” said head coach Clint Thornton. “Due to the history (between the two teams) they always bring their best game against the Giants and I expect it’s going to be a battle.”
Game 2 of the semifinal series will be played at the winter club on Saturday at 7:45 p.m.
If necessary, a Game 3 is back at BWC on Sunday. Puck is scheduled to drop at 11:30 a.m.
