Saturday 3 December 2011

VIC 2 - KEL 1

Sundher stopped by Cooke.  Photo by Marissa Baecker
Robin Soudek scored twice to lead the Victoria Royals to a 2-1 victory over the Rockets in Kelowna Friday night, kicking off December with a win.

The Royals end a 6 game winless streak, take sole possession of 3rd in the BC Division, and have 3 points in their last 2 outings.   They snap a 4 game road slide, and scored the first goal of the game after allowing it in 9 straight.

Robin Soudek scored his 15th of the season with a drive from the point to opening the scoring in the 2nd. 

Defenseman Keegan Kanzig would draw his first WHL point, assisting on the play.  Colton Scissons would even the score on the power play, converting a pass from Minnesota draft pick Brett Bulmer.

Jesse Zgraggen, was able to return to the ice in the third after taking a check to the head from Jessey Astles who received 5 and a game misconduct.  Bulmer would take a high sticking penalty and on the ensuing 5 on 3, Soudek would score his second of the night, the eventual game winner.
Photo by Marissa Baecker

It was another 4 fight affair, as the Royals played without captain Hayden Rintoul for a stretch as he picked up 17 minutes in penalties, by sticking up for Jamie Crooks.

Kevin Sundher had 3 breakaways, unable to beat the sprawled out pad of Jordon Cooke in the first while short handed, hit the post on his second attempt and stopped again in the third.  Kevin assisted on the 2nd goa, but the helpers were credited to Jesse Pauls and Jamie Crooks.  Sundher was riding a 5 game point streak.  Brandon Magee was also not credited on the play, robbing him of his 50th career point.

Tonight it’s the 4th meeting in 9 nights against the Blazers in Kamloops.  The Royals fell 6-5 it overtime Wednesday and 4-3 Tuesday at home, while last Friday dropping a 4-1 decision in Kamloops.  It’s the 5th meeting of the season, with Victoria picking up a single point thus far.

Riding a season high 5 game win streak, Kamloops is tops in the BC Division, one ahead of the Giants.  They have points in 8 of the their last 10, coming off a 5-4 win versus the Prince George Cougars last night.

After tonight, Victoria returns home for a pair against the Tri City Americans, ranked 3rd in the CHL.  The Ams were the Royals last road victim defeating Tri 5-4 back on October 25th.

The Royals in December play 9 games in 17 nights before the Christmas break.  3 at home and 6 on the road.  They’re playing their last of 6 in a row vs the BC Divison, collecting 3 points thus far.