Over the last few weeks it would appear that the Vancouver Giants aren't playing up to their usual standard of Giants Hockey. With a 3-1 loss on home ice to Kootenay last Saturday and Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to Brandon it could appear as though the team has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. However, the Giants are still in position for a deep playoff run - much like they were this time last season.

Comparing last season to this season it becomes obvious that things aren't as bad as they may seem.

2007-08 Season to Date:
Record: 37-13-5-2 (81 points)
Goals For: 199
Goals Against: 130
Longest Winning Streak: 8 games (12/01 - 12/29)
Longest Losing Streak: 2 games (3 times)

2006-07 through 57 games:
Record: 37-11-6-3 (83 points)
Goals For: 195
Goals Against: 115
Longest Winning Streak: 10 (9/23 - 10/13)
Longest Losing Streak: 3 (12/2 - 12/5)

The two seasons have striking similarities that bode well for the current Giants. Looking at personnel moves made on both years, there are again some similarities between the two seasons.

2007-08 Season:
Notable injuries: Michal Repik (20 games), Neil Manning, Stefan Schneider
Notable absentees: Jon Blum (World Jrs), Evander Kane (U-17), James Henry (U-17)
New players: Craig Schira, Casey-Pierro Zabotel, RJ LaRochelle, Garry Nunn

2006-07 Season:
Notable injuries: Garet Hunt (15 games)
Notable absentees: Cody Franson (World Jrs), Michal Repik (World Jrs), Kenndal McArdle (World Jrs), James Wright (U-17), Lance Bouma (U-17)
New players: Wacey Rabbit, AJ Thelen, Mike Wuchterl, Kenndal McArdle

The absentees (non-injured players not available for play) are another area that deserves a closer look. Both seasons the team lost arguably their most productive offensive defenseman as well as a scoring threat up front. This season the issue was magnified with Repik missing due to injury (though he would have been away at World Junior regardless). The period directly following the return of these players to the line-up is often referred as to the Christmas Tournament Hangover and the Giants seemed to have suffered both seasons.

2007-08 Season Record from January 1 - February 14: 11-6-1-1 (24 points)

2006-07 Season Record from January 1 - February 14: 10-6-2-0 (22 points)
*Note the Giants played one more game in 07-08 during this time.

With similar roster deficiencies during both seasons it's not surprising that the records show nearly identical results. Looking even further into the action gives you another shocking, yet similar, group of results. The Giants most recent efforts have been disappointing to say the least, but they're no different really than this time last season.

2007-08 Season Record February 1 - 14: 4-1-0-1 (9 points)

2006-07 Season Record February 1 - 14: 4-1-0-0 (8 points)

The Giants closed last season by going 10-5-1-0 for 21 points over their last 16 games. The rest of the story you all know already. As the Giants prepare for the home stretch they have the advantage of a friendly schedule where they only play 7 teams above .500 and the average winning % of their opponents is .449. They also play nine times at home and only six on the road with all remaining road games being withing the BC division.

So while the on-ice effort may be struggling through the blahs of February it's reassuring to know that this group, this coach and these fans have been through it once before with results that were, well, Memorial.

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