Sunday 1 February 2015

Recap: VIC 3 - TRI 2 Shoot Out Final

Jack Walker scored the lone goal in the shoot out as the visiting Victoria Royals (28-20-3-1, 60pts) edged the Tri City Americans 3-2 Saturday night.

“I thought we were in control of the game most of the night.  I liked the way we played, and I thought we passed up some opportunities to get the puck at the net - but we found a way to get the extra point.” - Head Coach Dave Lowry

Coleman Vollrath made 22 saves through 65 minutes, plus stopping all 3 American (24-24-1-3, 51 pts) shooters.

“I love the shoot out, I love the challenge that it brings, it’s a lot of fun.  I just try to go in there and come up with the big saves for the guys.” said Vollrath

Greg Chase scored his 15th and defenseman Bryton Sayers his first as a Royal, who held leads of 1-0 and 2-1.

Richard Nejezchleb scored his 2nd of the game with just :52 seconds left in the third for force overtime. Nejezchleb along with Parker Bowles and Tyler Sandhu were denied in the shoot out.  Magee was stopped by Eric Comrie who ended with 29 saves.

The Royals won their 2nd in a row and take 4 of 6 points on their 3 game in 4 night US Division road trip.

Victoria began the trek with a 4-3 loss in Portland Wednesday, then shut out Spokane 3-0 Friday, with Vollrath earning both victories.

“The game that we lost (Portland), was the probably the game we played the best in…” said Lowry, “We’ll take the 4 points, take the 2 wins, we’ll go home and get ready to go again.”

The Royals even the season series with a record of (2-1-1-0).

Victoria was 0 for 2 on the power play, Tri City 1 for 2.

The Royals return home to face the Rebels Saturday.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 3 (SO) at Tri-City Americans 2 - Status: End of Game SO
Saturday, January 31, 2015 - Toyota Center - Kennewick, WA

Victoria 1 0 1 0 - 3
Tri-City 0 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Sayers 3   3:47.

Penalties-Chase Vic (cross checking), 4:02; Gutierrez T.c (slashing), 19:25.

2nd Period-
2, Tri-City, Nejezchleb 14 (Nickles, Sandhu), 13:15 (PP).

Penalties-Hamonic T.c (holding), 3:34; Soy Vic (hooking), 11:29.

3rd Period-
3, Victoria, Chase 15 (Soy, Hicketts), 1:39.
4, Tri-City, Nejezchleb 15 (Wotherspoon, Bowles), 19:07.

Penalties-No Penalties

OT Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout -
Victoria 1 (Walker G, Magee NG), Tri-City 0 (Nejezchleb NG, Bowles NG, Sandhu NG).

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 9-13-7-2-1-32.
Tri-City 6-4-13-1-0-24.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 2; Tri-City 1 / 2.

Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 21-12-3-1 (24 shots-22 saves).
Tri-City, Comrie 14-11-0-1 (31 shots-29 saves).

A-3,966
Referees-Steve Papp (17), Mike Langin (67).
Linesmen-Mark Heier (125), Adam Brastad (132).