Recap: VIC 1 - SPK 2

Victoria warms up against Spokane

Kailer Yamamoto scored the eventual game winner on the power play early in the third to give the Spokane Chiefs a 2-1 victory over the visiting Victoria Royals (7-5) Friday night in the beginning of back to back meetings.

The Chiefs (4-5-1-1) snapped a winless in 6 drought, while handing the Royals their 4^th loss in a row.

“Discipline, we took to many penalties…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry when asked about the difference in the game,

“…and when you’re not scoring, obviously we’re taking our frustration out – and taking it out the wrong way.”

Spokane native Keanu Yamamoto had a goal and an assist, while Jared Dmytriw scored the lone goal for Victoria with just :37 seconds left in the middle frame. 

Tyler Soy stripped the puck from the netminder behind the goal to feed Dmytriw, who put the puck into an unguarded net.

Spokane netminder Tyson Verhelst was the games first star, making 31 saves on 32 Royals shots. 

“In the two games we’ve faced Verhelst, he’s been the difference maker in both games.” Said Lowry,

“I thought we generated enough chances offensively…but when your team isn’t scoring goals you have to find a way to defend.”

Keanu Yamamoto was star number 2, while Coleman Vollrath the third star, kicking out 35 shots.

“It was a very tight game…they did a better job of getting traffic in front of our net, getting more shots than us, and discipline also made a difference…” said Vollrath, who has started every game this season for the club as their record dips to 7-5.

Victoria went 0 for 6 on the power play, however the last two opportunities came in the final 15 seconds of the game.

“I thought the power play had some better looks, and generated a little bit more opportunity than we’ve had in the past, but you take 6 penalties – it takes a lot of guys out of the flow of game.” Said Lowry.

The Royals number 1 ranked penalty kill, surrendered a single goal on 6 Chiefs man advantages.

Spokane leads the season series 2 games to 1, after a split on the Island earlier in the month.

Royals forward Tyler Thompson played in his first WHL game.

Victoria will look to even the series Saturday night in Spokane as they wrap up a 4 game road trip.

“Discipline, and make sure our preparation is the same…,” said Lowry when asked what will be key in the rubber match,

“We did a lot of good things and we still have to work to get to areas to score goals, but we have to make sure we defend better, and manage the game through the neutral zone a lot better.”

Pregame show on The Zone @ 91.3fm at 6:40, puck drop at 7pm.

- Marlon Martens.

Victoria Royals 1 at Spokane Chiefs 2 - Status: Final
Friday, October 23, 2015 - Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

Victoria 0 1 0 - 1
Spokane 0 1 1 - 2

1st Period-

No Scoring.

Penalties-Forsberg Vic (slashing), 3:37; Forsberg Vic (boarding), 7:42; Bechtold Spo (boarding), 9:08; Fisher Vic (cross checking), 14:58; Pachal Vic (interference), 14:58; McIndoe Spo (cross checking), 14:58.

2nd Period-

1, Spokane, Ke. Yamamoto 3 (Sozanski, Toporowski), 17:37.

2, Victoria, Dmytriw 2 (Soy), 19:23.

Penalties-Forsberg Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 9:24; Cardiff Spo (roughing), 9:24; Harrison Spo (tripping), 11:41; Bechtold Spo (high sticking), 19:51.

3rd Period-

3, Spokane, Ka. Yamamoto 2 (Ke. Yamamoto, Bechtold), 2:22 (PP).

Penalties-Reddekopp Vic (roughing), 1:16; Bechtold Spo (holding), 1:16; Zwerger Spo (hooking), 7:00; Gagnon Vic (hooking), 10:08; Walker Vic (slashing), 12:43; Helgesen Spo (hooking), 19:45; Bechtold Spo (closing hand on puck), 19:57; Reddekopp Vic (roughing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-

Victoria 11-9-12-32.

Spokane 12-12-13-37.

Power Play Opportunities-

Victoria 0 / 6;

Spokane 1 / 6.

Goalies-

Victoria, Vollrath 7-5-0-0 (37 shots-35 saves).

Spokane, Verhelst 4-3-0-1 (32 shots-31 saves).
A-4,229
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Mike Langin (67).
Linesmen-Jeremi Del Campo (44), Jason Michelbook (112).