Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Cunningham named Boston Pizza WHL Player of the Week

Press Release

CALGARY, AB. - The BOSTON PIZZA WHL Player of the Week is forward Craig Cunningham of the Vancouver Giants.

Cunningham picked up six points, scoring three goals and three assists to go with a +3 rating in two games over the last week, helping the Vancouver Giants jump out to a 2-0 series lead over the Portland Winterhawks in the 2010 Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Semi-Finals best-of-seven series.

On Saturday, April 3rd, the Winterhawks hosted the Vancouver Giants at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland for game one of Western Conference Semi-Final. Cunningham scored one goal and added a pair of assists and as the Giants took game one 9-6. Game two of the second round series went the following day, Sunday, April 4th, in Portland. Cunningham found the net twice, picked up one assist and was named the games 1st Star as the Giants downed the Winterhawks 7-4.

The Vancouver Giants currently have a 2-0 series lead over the Portland Winterhawks, with games three, four and five set in Vancouver at the Pacific Coliseum starting Wednesday, April 7th at 7:00 pm (PT). For ticket information visit www.whl.ca/tickets.

Cunningham, a 19 year old from Trail, British Columbia, is currently playing his fourth season with the Vancouver Giants. The recently named WHL Western Conference first team All-Star accumulated 97 points (37 goals, 60 assists) in 72 regular season games this year and currently leads all players in 2010 WHL Playoff scoring with 16 points (8 goals, 8 assists) in six games.

The WHL has also nominated Martin Jones of the Calgary Hitmen for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Jones posted a 3-0-0-0 record this past week with one shut-out, stopping all 59 of 63 shots faced for a 1.330 goals-against average and 0.937 save percentage. Jones, a native of North Vancouver, BC, was recently named the WHL Eastern Conference nominee for the WHL Goaltender of the Year Award and a first team All-Star.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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