Recap: PG 2 - VIC 4

Jamie Crooks had a goal, assist and fight in a 4-2 Royals win.

Jamie Crooks ‘Gordie Howe Hat-trick’, led the Victoria Royals past the visiting Prince George Cougars 4-2 Friday, night snapping their 5 game winless streak.

The win moves the Royals into a tie with the Thunderbirds for 7th, 4 points ahead of the Cougars, and 3 ahead of the 9th place Silvertips.

Victoria leads the season series 4 games to 1, and will play each other again Saturday night.

Keith Hamilton made 18 saves for his 17th win, while Drew Owsley made 22 for his 29th loss.  Victoria held Prince George to 20 shots - a new season low, and have out shot their opponent in four straight.

The Royals power play clicked twice on five chances while shutting out the Cougars on 7 opportunities.  Victoria has not allowed a power play goal against in 4 games.  D Tyler Stahl comments on the victory:
 

Logan Nelson lays the body to Linden Springer

Prince George led 1-0 after the first on Caleb Belter’s 3rd, a period which saw 5 fights by the 11:39 mark.  Keegan Kanzig versus Daniel Gibb, Jesse Zgraggen against Jesse Forsberg, Logan Nelson and Reid Jackson, Jamie Crooks and Greg Fraser, and Robin Soudek versus Cody Carlson.  The later two were given game misconducts.

Victoria scored 4 straight in the second, Brandon Magee’s 20th on the power play, Steven Hodges 18th, Jamie Crooks 31st, and Dakota Conroy’s 8th also with the man advantage.

The lone goal in the third belonged to the Cougars Jake Mykitiuk who cut the lead to 4-2, but it was as close as they’d come.  Assistant Coach of the Royals, Craig Didmon post game thoughts:
 
2nd star Jamie Crooks’ goal and assist extends his point streak to 8 games (6g 3a), and ties him with Oscar Moller for 3rd all time in goals with 71.  Steven Hodges was named #1 star with his goal and assist performance.  Ben Walker chipped in with a pair of assists for third star honours.  Hayden Rintoul had his 6 game point streak snapped.

Keith Hamilton stopped 18 shots for his 17th win.

Prince George Cougars 2 at Victoria Royals 4 - Status: Final
Friday, February 17, 2012 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

PG 1 0 1 - 2
Vict 0 4 0 - 4

1st Period-1, Prince George, Belter 3 (Blidstrand), 13:59.

Penalties-served by Nelson Vic (too many men), 3:43; Gibb P.g (major-fighting), 6:50; Kanzig Vic (major-fighting), 6:50; Elynuik P.g (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 7:21; Forsberg P.g (major-fighting), 10:41; Zgraggen Vic (major-fighting), 10:41; Jackson P.g (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 11:31; Nelson Vic (major-fighting), 11:31; Carlson P.g (major-fighting, game misconduct), 11:39; Fraser P.g (cross checking, major-fighting), 11:39; Crooks Vic (major-fighting), 11:39; Soudek Vic (major-fighting, game misconduct), 11:39.

2nd Period-
2, Victoria, Magee 20 (Walker, Crooks), 5:00 (PP).
3, Victoria, Hodges 18   9:05.
4, Victoria, Crooks 31 (Nelson, Walker), 12:22.
5, Victoria, Conroy 8 (Hodges, Fransoo), 17:32 (PP).

Penalties-Nelson Vic (interference), 0:29; Zgraggen Vic (high sticking), 1:06; Mykitiuk P.g (tripping), 3:05; Walker Vic (roughing), 9:33; Gibb P.g (boarding), 15:40.

3rd Period-
6, Prince George, Mykitiuk 5 (Tkatch, Springer), 12:12.

Penalties-Nelson Vic (hooking), 7:05; Nelson Vic (inter. on goaltender), 9:51; Magee Vic (tripping), 16:29.

Shots on Goal-
Prince George 4-7-9-20.
Victoria 9-14-3-26.

Power Play Opportunities-
Prince George 0 / 7;
Victoria 2 / 5.

Goalies-
Prince George, Owsley 17-29-0-1 (26 shots-22 saves).
Victoria, Hamilton 17-29-1-4 (20 shots-18 saves).

A-6,311
Referees-Jeff Ingram (82), Colby Smith (57).
Linesmen-Jason Cramer (122), Ryan Gibbons (73).