Recap: Spokane 4 - Victoria 3 OT

Alessio Bertaggia collides with Patrik Polivka in a 4-3 overtime win for the Chiefs

By Marlon Martens, Photo Credit: Jon Howe & Victoria Royals

Alessio Bertaggia scored the overtime winner as the visiting Spokane Chiefs defeated the Victoria Royals 4-3 Friday night in the first of back to back games.

The Chiefs extend their win streak to 4 games, while the Royals are now winless in 8, picking up a point in the loss. 

“Once again we did a lot of good things, we had solid production, we had a lot of guys who played their hearts out…we have to continue to play that way and we’ll find a way win a game.” – Dave Lowry Royals Head Coach

Spokane leap frogs past Tri City into 4th spot in the West, as Victoria now trails the Americans by 7 points for 5th spot.

Logan Nelson scored twice for the Royals, Brett Cote had 3 assists and Brandon Magee a goal and assist.  Defenseman Brenden Kichton, a 5th round pick of the Islanders had 3 helpers, and Reid Gow a pair for the Chiefs.

Steven Hodges reaches for a loose puck.

“Overall I thought we played a strong game, it’s a bit of a burner when your in a slump like this to come that close to finally getting out…but when it’s going like this it takes hard work and it will come.”  - Steven Hodges, Royals Forward

After Spokane opened the scoring on the power play on Mitch Holmbergs 36th, Victoria responded with a pair, also with the man advantage.  Nelson’s 11th and Magee’s 29th which snapped an 8 game goal-less drought.

“Cote took a shot and his stick broke, the puck just came to me and I was in the right place at the right time…it was nice to get that monkey off my back.”  Magee said.

The Chiefs tied the game at 2 in the second with the periods only goal courtesy of Carter Proft on a 5 on 3.  The visitors retook the lead in the third from Blake Gal before Nelson’s 2nd of the night sent the game to overtime.

Bertaggia tipped a point shot by Kichton through the legs of Patrik Polivka for the victory.  The goal was credited to Mike Aviani.

Captain Brenden Kichton had 3 assists in the victory

“A few a bounces here and there and the game goes the other way…If we bring our same effort (Saturday) our result will be different.” According to Magee.

Victoria got some timely saves from Polivka who stopped 32 shots, while 17 year old rookie netminder Garrett Hughson earned his 4th straight wins with a 30 save performance.

“Polivka made some huge saves to keep us in the game, it’s unfortunate but the bounces will hopefully even out (Saturday) night and it’ll be our turn…I thought we had a great effort from everybody.” - Enio Sacilotto, Royals Assistant Coach

The first 4 goals were scored with the man advantage, the Royals went 2 for 5, and the Chiefs 4 for 6.

#15 Carter Proft scored a goal in the win

Forward Tyler Soy, Victoria’s 8th overall bantam pick in 2012 played his 5th and final game of the season for the team.  Defenseman Isaac Schacher played in his 2nd game for the club, and at 6’5 200 lbs made for a wall when paired up with Keegan Kanzig.

Nanaimo product Adam Smith took on Tim Traber in a short scrap early in the first period.

Nelson now has back to back 2 goal games collecting 5 points, while Cote has 7 assists over his last 3 games.

The Royals fall to 0-4 on their 5 game homestand, and are now 1-1-1-0 versus the Chiefs this season. 

“We’re just going to have to go after it (Saturday) and that’s the good thing about playing back to back games like this…it’s a playoff atmosphere and these are a possible playoff contender for us, and we’re here to show them that we’re not going to quit.” Hodges said.

The rematch goes Saturday on the Island.

- Marlon Martens

Spokane Chiefs 4 (OT) at Victoria Royals 3 - Status: Final OT
Friday, March 1, 2013 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Spokane 1 1 1 1 - 4
Victoria 2 0 1 0 - 3

1st Period-
1, Spokane, Holmberg 36 (Kichton, Aviani), 3:30 (PP).
2, Victoria, Nelson 11 (Cote, Magee), 6:31 (PP).
3, Victoria, Magee 29 (Cote, Crooks), 12:15 (PP).

Penalties-Smith Spo (major-fighting), 2:28; Traber Vic (major-fighting), 2:28; Walker Vic (high sticking), 3:22; Fiddler Spo (inter. on goaltender), 5:41; Walchuk Spo (charging), 5:55; Proft Spo (checking to the head), 11:52; Walchuk Spo (tripping), 13:48; Hodges Vic (holding), 15:42; Fransoo Vic (interference), 16:37.

2nd Period-
4, Spokane, Proft 9 (Kichton, Gow), 12:56 (PP).

Penalties-Stahl Vic (tripping), 7:42; Stahl Vic (interference), 11:22; Magee Vic (delay of game), 12:08.

3rd Period-
5, Spokane, Gal 12 (Walchuk, Fiddler), 6:12.
6, Victoria, Nelson 12 (Cote, Carroll), 13:24.

Penalties-Gow Spo (roughing), 10:01.

OT Period-
7, Spokane, Aviani 29 (Kichton, Gow), 3:38.

Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-
Spokane 16-12-5-3-36.
Victoria 10-7-14-1-32.

Power Play Opportunities-
Spokane 2 / 6;
Victoria 2 / 5.

Goalies-
Spokane, Hughson 9-5-0-0 (32 shots-29 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 28-14-2-3 (36 shots-32 saves).

A-4,929
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Bevan Mills (98), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).