Recap: VIC 3 - KEL 4 (Series Tied 2-2)

Logan Fisher scored twice for Victoria

Cole Linaker scored with :10 seconds left in regulation to lift the Kelowna Rockets past the visiting Victoria Royals 4-3 Thursday night, tying the series at 2 games a piece.

“You just have to get ready to play tomorrow,” said Head Coach Dave Lowry.

Game 5 goes Friday night in Victoria at 7, with Game 6 scheduled on Sunday in Kelowna at 5pm.

It was a heated affair.

“Tonight was probably was our best game of the playoffs, and to not get rewarded is disappointing.  We have to find a way to strike back, gain some momentum and get ready to go.” Said Lowry.

The Royals twice came back to tie the game, both goals scored by Logan Fisher.  Ethan Price had opened the scoring with his first of the post season while Ryan Gagnon added a pair of assists.

“Our guys played hard, competed and did a lot of really good things tonight.” Said Lowry.

Victoria outshot Kelowna 35-31, but the Rockets went 2 for 5 on the power play, while the Royals were 0 for 5.

Vollrath would make the save.

Michael Herringer earned back to back wins, while Coleman Vollrath took the loss.

Kelowna got a goal and assist each from Thomas Soustal and Justin Kirkland, while Joe Gatenby added a single and Calvin Thurkauff chipped in with a pair of helpers.

The home teams has won every game in the series so far, and all games have been decided by a single goal.

-       Marlon Martens

Royals Bench

Victoria Royals 3 at Kelowna Rockets 4 - Status: Final
Thursday, April 14, 2016 - Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC

Victoria 1 1 1 - 3
Kelowna 1 1 2 - 4

1st Period-

1, Victoria, Price 1 (Nagy), 10:45.

2, Kelowna, Gatenby 1 (Soustal, Chartier), 13:04.

Penalties-Wishnowski Kel (roughing), 4:53; Thompson Vic (charging), 15:14; Gagnon Vic (delay of game), 16:13; Baillie Kel (tripping), 17:10.

2nd Period-

3, Kelowna, Soustal 5 (Thurkauf), 5:04.

4, Victoria, Fisher 2 (Gagnon), 5:45.

Penalties-Soustal Kel (tripping), 12:07; Soy Vic (roughing), 12:46; Southam Kel (roughing), 12:46; Kirkland Kel (hooking), 15:50; Hannoun Vic (holding opp. stick), 17:21; Soustal Kel (high sticking), 18:44.

3rd Period-

5, Kelowna, Kirkland 4 (Johansen, Southam), 5:21 (PP).

6, Victoria, Fisher 3 (Gagnon, Reddekopp), 8:26.

7, Kelowna, Linaker 1 (Kirkland, Thurkauf), 19:49 (PP).

Penalties-Walker Vic (hooking), 4:45; Nagy Vic (tripping), 19:07.

Shots on Goal-

Victoria 12-13-10-35.

Kelowna 11-7-13-31.

Power Play Opportunities-

Victoria 0 / 5;

Kelowna 2 / 5.

Goalies-

Victoria, Vollrath 4-3-0-0 (31 shots-27 saves).

Kelowna, Herringer 6-5-0-0 (35 shots-32 saves).

A-5,361
Referees-Adam Griffiths (36), Steve Papp (17).
Linesmen-Michael McGowan (41), Bevan Mills (98).