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| Liam Stewart celebrates a goal in a 6-1 Chiefs win. |
The Chiefs take both games in the set, and move to within one point of the 4th place Vancouver Giants, the Royals next opponent Saturday and Sunday.
With Everett and Prince George losing, and Seattle idle, Victoria remains in 7th spot, 2 ahead of the Thunderbirds.
After a scoreless 1st, the Chiefs scored 3 in the second and 3 in the third. Steven Hodges broke the shut out bid with his 20th.
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| Steven Hodges had the lone Royals goal. |
Steve Kuhn had three assists for the Chiefs, while Brenden Kichton and Blake Gal had a goal and an assist each. Mike Aviani and Dominik Uher added a singles.
Mac Engel made 24 saves for his 26th win, while Jared Rathjen made 30 saves in the defeat.
The Royals power play was unable to strike on four chances, stopping all three Chiefs opportunities. Victoria’s penalty killing has been a perfect 14 for 14 over their last four outings.
Assistant Coach Ben Cooper commented on the two short handed goals against. “I think the fact that our power play was struggling in general, didn’t help. They pressure up top a lot and we didn’t seem handle that too well … they have good team speed and got things going from there.”
It was the final meeting of the season, with Victoria’s record against Spokane dropping to (0-3-0-1).
The Royals have a 2-5 record against the Giants who play the Tigers Friday, are coming off a 5-3 victory in Kamloops.
Post Game interview with Assistant Coach Ben Cooper:
Spokane Chiefs 6 at Victoria Royals 1 - Status: Final
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Spokane 0 3 3 - 6
Victoria 0 0 1 - 1
1st Period-
No Scoring.
Penalties-Nelson Vic (hooking), 2:06; Zgraggen Vic (delay of game), 3:34; Kuhn Spo (roughing), 18:51; Nelson Vic (roughing), 18:51.
2nd Period-
1, Spokane, Gal 14 (Kuhn, Fiddler), 6:32.
2, Spokane, Stewart 13 (Kuhn, Kichton), 15:15 (SH).
3, Spokane, Kichton 14 (Gal, Baldwin), 16:41.
Penalties-Fram Spo (hooking), 9:06; Aviani Spo (holding), 14:38; Kuhn Spo (inter. on goaltender), 18:39.
3rd Period-
4, Spokane, Stewart 14 (Kuhn, Vandane), 9:46 (SH).
5, Spokane, Aviani 13 (Kalus), 11:44.
6, Victoria, Hodges 20 12:52.
7, Spokane, Uher 28 (Chartier, Kramer), 16:44.
Penalties-Hodges Vic (kneeing), 2:46; Wedman Spo (delay of game), 9:18; Kalus Spo (major-fighting), 12:00; Stahl Vic (major-fighting), 12:00.
Shots on Goal-
Spokane 14-12-10-36.
Victoria 7-10-8-25.
Power Play Opportunities-
Spokane 0 / 3; Victoria 0 / 4.
Goalies-
Spokane, Engel 26-17-1-2 (25 shots-24 saves).
Victoria, Rathjen 2-7-1-0 (36 shots-30 saves).
A-4,833
Referees-Ryan Benbow (62), Jon Stephenson (38).
Linesmen-Ryan Gibbons (73), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).
