Recap: GAME 1 Victoria 2 - Kamloops 3

Starting Lines

JC Lipon scored twice including the winner as the Kamloops Blazers win game 1 of the 2013 post season, 3-2 against the visiting Victoria Royals.

“We came here to win one game and were hoping it would be the first one…I thought all in all it was a great effort by the team tonight.” – Enio Sacilotto, Royals Assistant Coach

Steven Hodges also had a pair for the Royals, who got a 33 performance from netminder Patrik Polivka in his first game back after missing 7 with an injury. 

Hodges denied on a Short Handed Breakaway by Cheveldave

Sacilotto felt he witnessed one of Hodges best outings,

“He was outstanding, that was one of the strongest games I’ve see him play in the three years I’ve been with him…I expect for him to keep it up through the series.”

Polivka was excellent with 33 saves

Blazer netminder Cole Cheveldave made several point blank saves in the third to preserve the lead, a total of 22 on the night.

“We had a big effort, we worked hard all night long…in the third we had some quality chances and we didn’t get rewarded.”  Sacilotto said.

Both clubs were 33% on the power play, Victoria 1 for 3, and Kamloops 2 for 6.

Sacilotto talked about what the club could improve on for the next game.

Royals Supporters

“We’ve got to be a little more disciplined, perhaps we took too many penalties, which didn’t help our situation…”

The game was tied at 1 after 20 minutes, and 2-2 heading into the third.   Both clubs responded quickly after being scored upon. 

Polivka

After Hodges opened the scoring, Kale Kessey tied it up :34 seconds later.  Kamloops took a 2-1 lead in the second courtesy of Lipon, but just 1:04 later, Hodges would would pull Victoria even.  Lipon had the lone tally in the third.  Both he and Hodges had short handed breakaways in the game, and both would miss.

Brendan Ranford and Joel Edmundson both chipped in with a pair of assists. 

Playing in their first WHL playoff games were F Tyler Soy, D Isaac Schacher, Jack Walker, F Logan Fisher, F Mitch Deacon, G Patrik Polivka, D Ryan Gagnon, and D Joe Hicketts. Their Captain Tyler Stahl was a late scratch.

“Everyone who played tonight…we got a total team effort…Unfortunately we didn’t get the reward, but we’ll be ready for (Saturday).”

The Royals will look for a split Saturday night before returning home on Tuesday, March 26 for Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. Puck drop on Tuesday is set for 7:05 p.m. at Bear Mountain Arena.

-Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 2 at Kamloops Blazers 3 - Status: Final
Friday, March 22, 2013 - Interior Savings Centre - Kamloops, BC

Victoria 1 1 0 - 2
Kamloops 1 1 1 - 3

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Hodges 1 (Cote, Nelson), 12:25.
2, Kamloops, Kessy 1 (Smith, Edmundson), 12:59 (PP).

Penalties-Deacon Vic (high sticking), 12:39; Carroll Vic (interference), 17:20.

2nd Period-
3, Kamloops, Lipon 1 (Ranford, Edmundson), 17:44 (PP).
4, Victoria, Hodges 2 (Walker), 18:48 (PP).

Penalties-Fransoo Vic (slashing), 7:37; Kanzig Vic (delay of game), 9:31; Magee Vic (slashing), 17:10; Needham Kam (tripping), 18:05.

3rd Period-
5, Kamloops, Lipon 2 (Ully, Ranford), 4:37.

Penalties-Deacon Vic (slashing), 0:28; Needham Kam (slashing), 6:33; Hansen Kam (interference), 12:14.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 4-9-11-24.
Kamloops 11-13-12-36.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 3;
Kamloops 2 / 6.

Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 0-1-0-0 (36 shots-33 saves).
Kamloops, Cheveldave 1-0-0-0 (24 shots-22 saves).

A-4,638
Referees-Jeff Ingram (82), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Ryan Dawson (134), Kris Hartley (81).