Recap: VIC 3 - VAN 1

Brandon Magee was the first star in a 3-1 Royals win over the Giants

Patrik Polivka made 32 saves as the visiting Victoria Royals (33-16-0-2, 68pts) beat the Vancouver Giants 3-1 Saturday extending their win streak to 3 games.

“By us scoring the first goal it took the wind out of their sails a little bit.  It allowed us to generate some momentum.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

The Royals even the season series at 3 a piece, and open a four game homestand with a pair against the same Giants (24-18-5-3, 56pts) next Friday and Saturday.

Victoria returns home sweeping both contests on their 2 game BC Division road swing which began with a 7-2 win in Kamloops Friday.

Magee scored his 18th of the season

Saturday night the Royals scored twice in a span of 2:28 on goals by Brandon Magee (18th) and Jordan Fransoo (2nd) to take a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.

“Travelling in, (Saturday from Kamloops) I thought our start was really good.  We moved the puck, we were really good in the first period and that allowed us to settle in and play.” Said Lowry, “Patrik (Polivka) made a big save after we scored…we were able to battle through.  Then Fransoo gets one for us.”

Logan Nelson scored his 13th and 50th career WHL goal on a breakaway to take a 3-0 lead.

Logan Nelson scores on a breakway for his 50th WHL career goal.  Credit: Larry Quigley

“It’s exciting, that goosebump feeling that jumps through your spine.  That accomplishment, it’s something that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.” – Logan Nelson on scoring his 50th WHL goal

Dalton Sward scored short handed to get the Giants on board.  Vancouver hit a post in the third but Polivka held the fort and skated away with the 3-1 victory.

Both clubs displayed discipline as the first penalty wasn’t called until 8:01 of the second period.

“We matched their physical play…I really liked our discipline, and the stuff after the whistle was non existant.  For us that really plays into our hands and that helps our hockey club.” According to Lowry.

#25 Brandon Fushimi blocks a shot shorthanded

Neither club scored with the man advantage as the Royals went 0 for 2 and Giants 0 for 1.

#19 Logan Nelson

Polivka earned his 20th win of the season and improves to 9-2 lifetime versus Vancouver.  Polivka is now 5-0 at the Pacific Coliseum.  Payton Lee who allowed 2 goals on the Royals first 3 shots stopped of 20 of 23 in defeat.

The Royals tie the franchise record for road wins with 16, and improve to 10 over .500 away from the SOFMC.

Victoria remains 3rd in the West, 1 back of Portland and 3 up on Seattle.

Brandon Magee extended his point streak to 5 games amassing 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 points over that span.

-Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 3 at Vancouver Giants 1 - Status: Final
Saturday, January 25, 2014 - Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC

Victoria 2 1 0 - 3
Vancouver 0 1 0 - 1

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Magee 18 (Hodges), 4:06.
2, Victoria, Fransoo 2 (Fushimi), 6:34.

Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Nelson 13   11:39.
4, Vancouver, Sward 13 (Geertsen), 15:52 (SH).

Penalties-Kanzig Vic (delay of game), 8:01; Volek Van (slashing), 15:36.

3rd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Franson Van (checking from behind), 11:44.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 6-11-6-23.
Vancouver 15-6-12-33.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 2;
Vancouver 0 / 1.

Goalies-Victoria,
Polivka 20-11-0-1 (33 shots-32 saves).
Vancouver, Lee 13-15-3-2 (23 shots-20 saves).

A-6,109
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Fraser Lawrence (10).
Linesmen-Ryan Gibbons (73), Justin Hull (49).