Kevin Connauton scored twice as the Vancouver Giants rallied from a three goal deficit to post a 5-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League action Friday night.
Neil Manning and Craig Cunningham both had a goal and two assists for Vancouver (21-11-3), while James Henry also scored.
Mark Segal got the start for the Giants in net but his night lasted just over ten minutes after he gave up three goals on eight shots.
Bronson Maschmeyer, Jimmy Bubnick and Shane Wiebe all scored for Kamloops (13-16-4) to force the switch in Vancouvers net.
Maschmeyer's goal came just over a minute into the game. His weak shot from neutral ice eluded Segal and obviously rattled the goalie. The latter two goals for Kamloops came on the power play and Segal was replaced by Jamie Tucker.
Vancouver finally got off the mark halfway through the second period. With the Giants on the power play, Connauton let a shot go from the point that got through the traffic in front for his 14th. Up to that point, Vancouver had dominated possession but Jon Groenheyde had been stellar in the Blazers net.
Vancouver inched closer two and a half minutes later. JT Barnett chipped a perfect pass onto Cunningham's stick and he sprawled to add his 18th.
Connauton's second of the night was a carbon copy of his first. With the Giants on another power play, Connauton fired from the point to bring the game level heading into the third.
Manning completed the comeback for the Giants at the half way mark of the third. Groenheyde had played himself out of position making a save, the puck landed at an unmarked Manning who flipped in one of the easiest goals hell ever score for his seventh.
James Henry added his 13th into the empty net to seal the win for the Giants.
Tucker stopped 21 shots in relief to pick up the win for the Giants while Groenheyde made 42 saves in a losing effort for Kamloops.
The teams play again Saturday night in Kamloops.
