It’s the City of Victoria’s first WHL playoffs sine the 1989 Cougars. Royals’ fans are asked to ‘BRING THE BLUE’ in support of the team
LAST GAME: After Victoria cut the lead to 2-1 in the second, Kamloops scored 4 straight taking a commanding 6-1 lead to the third. They out shot Victoria 53-28 on the night, while scoring twice on seven power play opportunities.
The Royals who out scored the Blazers 3-1 in the third saw rookie Taylor Crunk score his first WHL goal, while adding an assist for a two point effort. Jamie Crooks also had a goal and assist, while Steven Hodges had 2 assists. Robin Soudek and Austin Carroll added singles.
Kamloops captain Chase Schaber and Dylan Willick had a goal and assist each. Joran Depape had 2 goals, and JC Lipon added a pair of helpers. Swiss born Tim Bozon upped his series total to 3 goals with a single on his 18th birthday.
Keith Hamilton and Jared Rathjen split the goaltending duties, while Cole Cheveldave earned his second career playoff win.
HOME & AWAY: Victoria is (14-19-1-2) at home, while Kamloops boasts a (22-9-2-3) road record during the regular season. In the season series, the Royals are (1-2-1-0) at home vs the Blazers.
SUSPENDED: D Austin Madaisky has been suspended for two games for a check to the head of Zane Jones in game number two.
INSIDE THE SERIES:
GOALS:
Kamloops: 2-8-1 (11) Victoria: 1-1-3 (5)
SHOTS:
Kamloops: 29-34-24 (87) Victoria: 16-22-17 (55)
POWER PLAY:
Kamloops: 2 / 11 (18.18%) Victoria: 1 / 9 (11.1%)
SCORING LEADERS:
Schaber (2-2-4)
Lipon (0-4-4)
Bozon (3-0-3)
Willick (2-1-3)
Madaisky (0-3-3)
Soudek (2-0-2)
Crooks (1-1-2)
Crunk (1-1-2)
Hodges (0-2-2)
Rintoul (0-2-2)
GOALTENDING:
Keith Hamilton 2 (0-1) 5.39 0.873
Jared Rathjen 1 (0-1) 5.82 0.875
Cole Cheveldave 2 (2-0) 2.50 0.909
INJURIES:
For Kamloops:
Suspension: Austin Madaisky, 2 games under supplemental discipline versus Victoria on March 24
For Victoria:
#3, Zach Habscheid, Lower body
#18 Brandon Magee, Undisclosed
DRAFTED/NHL SIGNED PLAYERS: For Victoria: D Tyler Stahl (Carolina, 6th rd 2010), D Jordan Fransoo (Ottawa, 7th rd 2011). For Kamloops: Brendan Ranford (PHI ’10), D Austin Madaisky (CBJ ’10).
TOP PROSPECTS: Central Scoutings mid-term rankings of North American players positions Victoria’s Steven Hodges (55), and Logan Nelson (108). For Kamloops: Tim Bozon (39)
SERIES SCHEDULE:
Game 1 – Fri Mar 23 Victoria 1 at Kamloops 4
Game 2 - Sat Mar 24 Victoria 4 at Kamloops 7
Game 3 - Tues Mar 27 7:05 PM Kamloops at Victoria
Game 4 - Wed Mar 28 7:05 PM Kamloops at Victoria
Game 5 - Fri Mar 30 7:00 PM Victoria at Kamloops **
Game 6 - Mon Apr 2 7:05 PM Kamloops at Victoria **
Game 7 - Wed Apr 4 7:00 PM Victoria at Kamloops **
(** - if necessary)
FRANCHISE HISTORY: It’s the Royals franchise 5th post season birth in 6 years. As the Bruins, Chilliwack lost in it’s first two seasons in the first round to Vancouver, missed the following year, then fell in six to Tri City in 2010, and in five to Spokane last year.
TICKETS: “Uptown Playoff Combo” For $50, fans are able to purchase four playoff tickets to either Game 3 or Game 4 of the Royals’ first round playoff series against the Kamloops Blazers on Tuesday, March 27th or Wednesday, March 28th. The combo also includes a Royals’ rally towel and a gift voucher redeemable for a $10 gift card at Uptown until April 30th.
Tickets are limited to corner and end sections, and only 100 ticket packages will be made available for each of the Royals’ first two home playoff games. The total value of this package is $75, so fans looking for a great deal are encouraged to contact the Royals’ ticket office quickly.
Playoff combos can be purchased online at victoriaroyals.com, over the phone at 250-220-7889, or in person at the Select Your Tickets box-office.
