Recap: VIC 1 - VAN 4 (Fri, Dec.11.2015)

Coleman Vollrath makes an outstanding stop on Chase Lang

The Vancouver Giants (9-18-2-2, 22pts) scored three third period goals to defeat the visiting Victoria Royals (19-9-1-1, 40 pts) 4- 1 Friday night, taking the first of 4 straight meetings.

“We just got away from our game,” said Royals interim Head Coach Enio Sacilotto on what went awry in the final frame,

“We had nothing in the third, and that’s disappointing.”

Tied at 1-1 going into the final frame, Vancouver’s Carter Popoff scored on the power play for the eventual winner, followed by a pair from Alec Baer, the later also with the man advantage. 

“We just wanted to play our speed game, our transition game, but that wasn’t there…” continued Sacilotto, who’s club was out shot 14-4 in the third period.

“…We spent too much time in our zone, too much confusion in the defensive zone when we didn’t have the puck…gave up a power play goal – it cost us.”   

Vancouver out shot Victoria 35-27 overall, and snapped a 2 game skid infront of 6,600 fans at the Coliseum on Ugly Christmas Sweater Night.

The two clubs will meet Saturday night in Victoria, followed by a 3pm start Sunday on the Island.  The ten game season series is now tied at a game a piece.

The Royals had their 3 game win streak snapped, in their first contest without Joe Hicketts, Dave Lowry and Matt Auerbach, off to the World Junior Selection Camp for Team Canada.

“I think we can expect more from our defenseman, I didn’t think we were that good actually,” said Sacilotto on the back end without Hicketts in the line up,

“We can be a lot better, and will be a lot better Saturday night.”

Heading into the game, Victoria had a 20 point lead in the standings on last place Vancouver.  The Royals were ranked 9^th in the CHL Top 10 earlier in the week.

Coleman Vollrath suffered the loss stopping 31 of 35 shots, as he tied the franchise record for games played by Lucas Gore with 141. 

Vollrath made a highlight reel, superman style diving save off Chase Lang when the game was 2-1 for the Giants, pic.twitter.com/HOyyFklTtN

“That was an absolutely outstanding save, and he had a great night…” commented Sacilotto as his club tried to use it as a momentum shifter,

“You can’t fault him for the four goals.”

Vancouver’s Ryan Kubic earned the victory making 26 saves.

After a scoreless first, Ty Ronning struck on a 2 on 1 to give the Giants the lead.  Jack Walker for the Royals responded on the power play with a point shot to even the score heading into the third.

Giants Ben Thomas and Trevor Cox picked up a pair of helpers each.

The Royals were 1 for 3 on the man advantage while the Giants went 2 for 3.

Victoria had their road point streak stopped at 9 games (8-0-1-0).

Saturday night is the annual Teddy Bear Toss night in Victoria.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 1 at Vancouver Giants 4 - Status: Final
Friday, December 11, 2015 - Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC

Victoria 0 1 0 - 1
Vancouver 0 1 3 - 4

1st Period-

No Scoring.

Penalties-Cox Van (inter. on goaltender), 2:23; Benson Van (misconduct - mouthguard), 19:50.

2nd Period-

1, Vancouver, Ronning 19 (Cox), 2:24.

2, Victoria, Walker 9 (Reddekopp, Forsberg), 15:04 (PP).

Penalties-Pachal Vic (cross checking), 3:15; Lang Van (hooking), 13:53.

3rd Period-

3, Vancouver, Popoff 8 (Wesley, Cox), 7:13 (PP).

4, Vancouver, Baer 7 (Thomas), 15:03.

5, Vancouver, Baer 8 (Barberis, Thomas), 17:36 (PP).

Penalties-Hannoun Vic (tripping), 6:09; Reddekopp Vic (slashing), 15:43; Holt Van (cross checking), 18:14.

Shots on Goal-

Victoria 11-12-4-27.

Vancouver 13-8-14-35.

Power Play Opportunities-

Victoria 1 / 3;

Vancouver 2 / 3.

Goalies-

Victoria, Vollrath 16-8-0-1 (35 shots-31 saves).

Vancouver, Kubic 4-8-1-0 (27 shots-26 saves).

A-6,607
Referees-Steve Papp (17), Dexter Rasmussen (25).
Linesmen-Michael McGowan (41), Nathan Van Oosten (115).