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| Zane Jones opens the scoring in a 5-3 Victoria win in Prince George |
Jared Rathjen also earned his second career win in as many nights with 30 saves, while Drew Owsley made 37 stops in the defeat.
The Royals hold onto 7th spot in the West with 46 points, 2 up Seattle who keep pace by defeating Everett 3-2 Saturday. The Silvertips are 5 back in 9th, and the 10th place Cougars are now 6 back.
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| Jared Rathjen celebrates his 2nd consecutive win. |
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| Steven Hodges scores into an empty net for the win. |
The Royals opened the scoring on Zane Jones 12th, Troy Bourke made it 1-1 to snap his three game drought against Victoria. Steven Hodges fought Daniel Gibb after a hit on Jamie Crooks.
Victoria added the only two in the second, Robin Soudek finishing a 2 on 1 for his 24th, and Brandon Magee tapped in his 21st taking a 3-1 lead to the third.
In the final frame, the Royals earned a 3 goal lead with Soudek’s second of the night. The Cougars began to claw back with Daulton Siwak’s short handed tally, followed by Chase Witala’s goal just under 3 minutes later to cut the lead to 4-3. Steven Hodges completed the Gordie Howe hat trick with an empty net goal to seal the win.
Victoria earns their 20th win of the season, and take the eight game series 6 games to 2. They’ve won all 4 meetings in Prince George.
Both teams power plays went 0 for 6, snapping the Royals 4 game streak of scoring with the man advantage.
Royals Assistant Coach Enio Sacilottto joined me in the post game show:
Zane Jones chipped in with a goal and assist, extending his point streak to 3 games (1g, 3a). Hayden Rintoul played in his 250th career game, earned a star but had his 3 game point streak snapped. Robin Soudek has 3 goals in his last 2 games. Victoria native Cody Carlson had 2 assists for the Cougars.
The Royals open a four game home stand with a pair against the Spokane Chiefs Tuesday and Wednesday. The Vancouver Giants come for a two on Saturday and Sunday.
REMAINING GAMES:
Victoria 10: Home (6), Road (4)
Feb. 28 Spokane
Feb. 29 Spokane
Mar. 3 Vancouver
Mar. 4 Vancouver
Mar. 7 at Everett
Mar. 9 at Kelowna
Mar. 10 at Everett
Mar. 11 at Vancouver
Mar. 14 Portland
Mar. 16 Portland
Victoria Royals 5 at Prince George Cougars 3 - Status: End of Game
Saturday, February 25, 2012 - CN Centre - Prince George, BC
Victoria 1 2 2 - 5
Prince George 1 0 2 - 3
1st Period-
1, Victoria, Jones 12 (Conroy, Fransoo), 12:48.
2, Prince George, Bourke 13 (Siwak, Carlson), 13:11.
Penalties-Hodges Vic (interference), 0:45; Hodges Vic (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 8:27; Gibb P.g (major-fighting), 8:27; Fraser P.g (hooking), 10:44; Stahl Vic (roughing), 13:32; Elynuik P.g (roughing), 13:32.
2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Soudek 24 (Nelson, Cote), 5:40.
4, Victoria, Magee 21 (Hodges, Jones), 17:47.
Penalties-McNulty P.g (slashing), 6:45; Stahl Vic (roughing), 12:54; Stahl Vic (kneeing), 15:25; Fontaine P.g (hooking), 18:13; Tkatch P.g (10-minute misconduct), 18:13.
3rd Period-
5, Victoria, Soudek 25 (Walker), 3:16.
6, Prince George, Siwak 14 (Fontaine, Carlson), 5:38 (SH).
7, Prince George, Witala 6 (Blidstrand, Jackson), 8:30.
8, Victoria, Hodges 19 18:53 (EN).
Penalties-Blidstrand P.g (interference), 3:43; McNulty P.g (tripping), 6:57; Walker Vic (tripping), 7:34; Forsberg P.g (holding), 8:57; Nelson Vic (too many men), 15:18.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 12-14-16-42.
Prince George 8-9-16-33.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 6;
Prince George 0 / 6.
Goalies-
Victoria, Rathjen 1-5-1-0 (33 shots-30 saves).
Prince George, Owsley 18-31-0-1 (41 shots-37 saves).
A-1,855
Referees-Andy Thiessen (11), Nathan Wieler (18).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Adam Hyatt (16).
