The Royals and Blazers shake hands after a 4-0 series sweep by Kamloops Wednesday.
The Kamloops Blazers sweep the Victoria Royals to win their first playoff series since 1999 with a 4-1 victory in the capital city Wednesday night.
“…You’re always disappointed when you lose, but I thought our guys started strong…then in third, just seemed emotionally we were out of gas more than physically…” Marc Habscheid Head Coach & GM of the Royals.
Keith Hamilton stops Chase Souto on a breakaway.
Brandon Herrod had three assists, Dylan Willick two goals and 40 goal man Brendan Ranford scored his first of the post season for the eventual game winner.
Cole Cheveldave made 30 stops for his 4th career playoff victory, while Keith Hamilton stopped 21 in the defeat. The Royals out shot the Blazers 31-25.
Dylan Willick scores to make it 3-1.
Both teams were unable to score with the man advantage, Victoria had 3 chances on the power play to just 2 for Kamloops.
“That’s how you get better, you got to go through times like this you got to realize the intensity level and I think making the playoffs and being involved in four very intense games is going to help us a group.” added Habscheid.
Ben Walker got his first of the post season to open the scoring for the Royals, before Matt Needham tied it up at 1.
In the second, the Blazers added a pair with Ranford scoring on a breakaway and Dylan Willick adding his 4th of the playoffs to take a 3-1 lead to the third.
Kamloops was able to shut down Victoria’s offense in the final frame and added an empty net by Willick to win 4-1.
The Royals will have to continue to wait for the City’s first playoff win since 1989, when the Cougars fell to the Blazers 5 games to 3.
The club graduates overagers D Hayden Rintoul and F Robin Soudek as they pursue pro careers.
Tri City and Medicine Hat also advance with 4-0 series wins against Everett and Saskatoon respectively.
Marc Habscheid on Game 4:
F Tim Traber on the emotion after the series loss:
Marc Habscheid reflects on the past season:
Marc Habscheid on what's next on the agenda:
Kamloops Blazers 4 at Victoria Royals 1 - Status: Final
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Cole Cheveldave makes a stop on Logan Nelson Tuesday night in Victoria.
The Victoria Royals face elimination in a do or die Game 4 against the visiting Kamloops Blazers, trailing in the Western Conference Quarter Final 3-0 in the best of seven series.
Pregame show starts Wednesday night at 6:45 on The Zone @ 91.3 FM.
The Royals along with the Blades and Silvertips are in must win situations tonight. The last, and apparently only WHL team to come back from a 3-0 series deficit was the 1996 Spokane Chiefs who came back to win 4 straight against the Portland Winter Hawks..
The Blazers haven’t won a playoff series since the spring of 1999 when they beat the Tri-City Americans in the Western Conference final. The Royals look for the clubs first win in the City’s first WHL playoff since 1989.
Blazers Aspen Sterzer was thwarted by Keith Hamilton on this chance, but prevailed 7-5 Tuesday.
LAST GAME: Kamloops scored six times in the second period to take Game 3 by a 7-5 score.
Jamie Crooks hat trick, a franchise first, was over shadowed by the Blazer’s special teams that scored 5 goals, 3 on the power play and 2 short handed.
Victoria led for the first time in the series, 2-0 after 20 minutes and 4-3 in the second, but Kamloops would come from behind twice and never relinquish the lead.
Jared Rathjen started, while Keith Hamilton finshed the game as the pair split the goaltending duties for a second straight game. Rookie Cole Cheveldave earned his third straight win.
Logan Nelson and Steven Hodges chipped in with a pair of assists each.
Colin Smith was named the number 1 star with his goal and three assists. JC Lipon had a goal and two assists for 3rd star honours.
Blazer Captain Chase Schaber was injured at 3:40 of the first and did not return to the game. He suffered an apparent skate cut to one of his legs and spent the night in hospital.
The Royals tied a franchise record for most goals scored in a playoff game with 5. The Chilliwack Bruins scored a 5-1 decision over Tri City back on March 23, 2010 – Jamie Crooks also had a goal that game.
HOME & AWAY: Victoria is (14-19-1-2) at home, while Kamloops boasts a (22-9-2-3) road record during the regular season. In the season series, the Royals are (1-2-1-0) at home vs the Blazers.
SUSPENDED: D Austin Madaisky has served one of a two game suspension for a check to the head of Zane Jones in game number two.
INSIDE THE SERIES:
Kamloops 7 @ Victoria 5 (Mar 27 2012)
Victoria 4 @ Kamloops 7 (Mar 24 2012)
Victoria 1 @ Kamloops 4 (Mar 23 2012)
In the combined 3 games, the Royals have outscored the Blazers in the 1st and 3rd periods by 3-2 and 4-2 margins. Kamloops holds the edge in the second period with a combined 14-3 advantage over Victoria.
Lipon (1-6-7)
Smith (1-5-6)
Bozon (4-0-4)
Willick (3-1-4)
Schaber (2-2-4)
Crooks (4-1-5)
Hodges (0-4-4)
Nelson (0-3-3)
Carroll (2-0-2)
Soudek (2-0-2)
GOALTENDING:
Keith Hamilton 3 (0-2) 5.50 0.867
Jared Rathjen 2 (0-1) 7.02 0.822
Cole Cheveldave 3 (3-0) 3.33 0.872
INJURIES:
For Kamloops
#10, Chase Schaber
Suspension: Austin Madaisky, 2 games under supplemental discipline versus Victoria on March 24 (Served 1).
For Victoria:
#3, Zach Habscheid, Lower body
#18 Brandon Magee, Undisclosed
DRAFTED/NHL SIGNED PLAYERS: For Victoria: D Tyler Stahl (Carolina, 6th rd 2010), D Jordan Fransoo (Ottawa, 7th rd 2011). For Kamloops: Brendan Ranford (PHI ’10), D Austin Madaisky (CBJ ’10).
TOP PROSPECTS: Central Scoutings mid-term rankings of North American players positions Victoria’s Steven Hodges (55), and Logan Nelson (108). For Kamloops: Tim Bozon (39)
SERIES SCHEDULE:
Game 1 – Fri Mar 23 Victoria 1 at Kamloops 4
Game 2 - Sat Mar 24 Victoria 4 at Kamloops 7
Game 3 - Tues Mar 27 Kamloops 7 at Victoria 5
Game 4 - Wed Mar 28 7:05 PM Kamloops at Victoria
Game 5 - Fri Mar 30 7:00 PM Victoria at Kamloops **
Game 6 - Mon Apr 2 7:05 PM Kamloops at Victoria **
Game 7 - Wed Apr 4 7:00 PM Victoria at Kamloops **
(** - if necessary)
HISTORY: It’s the Royals franchise 5th post season birth in 6 years. As the Bruins, Chilliwack lost in it’s first two seasons in the first round to Vancouver, missed the following year, then fell in six to Tri City in 2010, and in five to Spokane last year.
The WHL playoffs have returned to Victoria after a 23 year hiatus. The last WHL playoff was a best of 9 Western Conference Semi-Final between the Victoria Cougars and the Kamloops Blazers. Kamloops won 5 games to 3.
The Kamloops Blazers scored six second period goals to earn a 7-5 victory over the Royals in Victoria Tuesday night, and take a 3-0 strangle hold series lead.
Colin Smith scored a goal and 3 assists in a 7-5 Blazer win.
Game 4 goes Wednesday night with a 6:45 pregame show on The Zone @ 91.3 FM.
“I thought four things basically it came down to, power play, penalty killl, goaltending and composure.” Ben Cooper, Assistant Coach of the Royals.
It was a see-saw affair, as the Royals took a 2-0 lead to the first intermission.
The Blazers scored the next three to go ahead for the first time, followed by a pair by Victoria to regain the lead 4-3. Kamloops scored the next 3 to take a 6-4 lead to the third.
The Royals cut the lead to one in the final frame as the team exchanged goals for a 7-5 Blazer final.
Jared Rathjen who got the start for Victoria stopped 16 of 21 before being replaced in the second by Keith Hamilton who made 10 saves on 12 shots. Cole Cheveldave blocked 18 for his 3rd consecutive win. Kamloops out shot Victoria 33-22.
Captain Hayden Rintoul blocks an attempt at the empty net.
The Blazers power play scored 3 times in the second going 3 for 6 on the night, while adding 2 short handed markers – all special teams goals coming in the second period. The Royals went 0 for 4.
Jamie Crooks score the franchise’s first playoff hat trick and was named 2nd star. Logan Nelson and Steven Hodges chipped in with a pair of assists each.
Colin Smith was named the number 1 star with his goal and three assists. JC Lipon had a goal and two assists for 3rd star honours.
Ben Cooper, assistant coach of the Royals, breaks down the game:
Royals F Tim Traber talks about the fans and the next game:
Ben Cooper talks about the Blazers second period:
Ben Cooper on the teams mindset heading into Game 4:
Kamloops Blazers 7 at Victoria Royals 5 - Status: Final
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
The Victoria Royals entertain the Kamloops Blazers for Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal Tuesday and Wednesday night. Pregame show on The Zone at 6:45 both nights or online at www.thezone.fm
The Blazers lead the series 2-0 after a 7-4 victory Saturday, and 4-1 win Friday night in the interior. Kamloops has won both games by a 3 goal margin.
It’s the City of Victoria’s first WHL playoffs sine the 1989 Cougars. Royals’ fans are asked to ‘BRING THE BLUE’ in support of the team
LAST GAME: After Victoria cut the lead to 2-1 in the second, Kamloops scored 4 straight taking a commanding 6-1 lead to the third. They out shot Victoria 53-28 on the night, while scoring twice on seven power play opportunities.
The Royals who out scored the Blazers 3-1 in the third saw rookie Taylor Crunk score his first WHL goal, while adding an assist for a two point effort. Jamie Crooks also had a goal and assist, while Steven Hodges had 2 assists. Robin Soudek and Austin Carroll added singles.
Kamloops captain Chase Schaber and Dylan Willick had a goal and assist each. Joran Depape had 2 goals, and JC Lipon added a pair of helpers. Swiss born Tim Bozon upped his series total to 3 goals with a single on his 18th birthday.
Keith Hamilton and Jared Rathjen split the goaltending duties, while Cole Cheveldave earned his second career playoff win.
HOME & AWAY: Victoria is (14-19-1-2) at home, while Kamloops boasts a (22-9-2-3) road record during the regular season. In the season series, the Royals are (1-2-1-0) at home vs the Blazers.
SUSPENDED: D Austin Madaisky has been suspended for two games for a check to the head of Zane Jones in game number two.
Keith Hamilton 2 (0-1) 5.39 0.873
Jared Rathjen 1 (0-1) 5.82 0.875
Cole Cheveldave 2 (2-0) 2.50 0.909
INJURIES:
For Kamloops:
Suspension: Austin Madaisky, 2 games under supplemental discipline versus Victoria on March 24
For Victoria:
#3, Zach Habscheid, Lower body
#18 Brandon Magee, Undisclosed
DRAFTED/NHL SIGNED PLAYERS: For Victoria: D Tyler Stahl (Carolina, 6th rd 2010), D Jordan Fransoo (Ottawa, 7th rd 2011). For Kamloops: Brendan Ranford (PHI ’10), D Austin Madaisky (CBJ ’10).
TOP PROSPECTS: Central Scoutings mid-term rankings of North American players positions Victoria’s Steven Hodges (55), and Logan Nelson (108). For Kamloops: Tim Bozon (39)
SERIES SCHEDULE:
Game 1 – Fri Mar 23 Victoria 1 at Kamloops 4
Game 2 - Sat Mar 24 Victoria 4 at Kamloops 7
Game 3 - Tues Mar 27 7:05 PM Kamloops at Victoria
Game 4 - Wed Mar 28 7:05 PM Kamloops at Victoria
Game 5 - Fri Mar 30 7:00 PM Victoria at Kamloops **
Game 6 - Mon Apr 2 7:05 PM Kamloops at Victoria **
Game 7 - Wed Apr 4 7:00 PM Victoria at Kamloops **
(** - if necessary)
FRANCHISE HISTORY: It’s the Royals franchise 5th post season birth in 6 years. As the Bruins, Chilliwack lost in it’s first two seasons in the first round to Vancouver, missed the following year, then fell in six to Tri City in 2010, and in five to Spokane last year.
TICKETS: “Uptown Playoff Combo” For $50, fans are able to purchase four playoff tickets to either Game 3 or Game 4 of the Royals’ first round playoff series against the Kamloops Blazers on Tuesday, March 27th or Wednesday, March 28th. The combo also includes a Royals’ rally towel and a gift voucher redeemable for a $10 gift card at Uptown until April 30th.
Tickets are limited to corner and end sections, and only 100 ticket packages will be made available for each of the Royals’ first two home playoff games. The total value of this package is $75, so fans looking for a great deal are encouraged to contact the Royals’ ticket office quickly.
Playoff combos can be purchased online at victoriaroyals.com, over the phone at 250-220-7889, or in person at the Select Your Tickets box-office.
The Kamloops Blazers scored 4 straight in the second period for a 7-4 win over the visiting Victoria Royals to take a 2-0 series lead in game number 2.
Steven Hodges with 2 assists, tries a shot on Cole Cheveldave.
“I thought our compete level was much better tonight than it was last night despite the score.” According to assistant coach Enio Sacilotto, “…they got a series of goals…they came in bundles…they got the momentum and we couldn’t counter that.”
The series now shifts back to Victoria for games 3 and 4 Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Hayden Rintoul unleashes a shot from the point.
Cole Cheveldave earned his second career playoff win with 24 saves while Keith Hamilton made 25 saves on 29 shots until being relieved by Jared Rathjen midway through the second. Rathjen stopped 21 of 24 as the Royals were out shot by the Blazers 53-28.
Kamloops power play went 2 for 7, while Victoria went 0 for 5 man advantages.
Jordan Depape opened the scoring on a penalty shot late in the first after a close opening frame.
Depape scores on a Penalty Shot on Keith Hamilton in the first period.
Tim Traber has words with Brady Gaudet.
Just 38 seconds into the second period, Tim Bozon scored his 3rd of the playoffs on his 18th birthday. Jamie Crooks cut the lead in half, but the Blazers would strike four more times before the period was out. Brady Gaudet on the power play, followed up by Chase Schaber 48 seconds later gave Kamloops a 4-1 lead. Dylan Willick would strike at 11:27 to cap off 3 goals in 3:12. Cole Ully on an individual effort added one more to take a 6-1 lead to the final frame.
In the third Victoria would out score Kamloops by a 3-1 margin. Austin Carroll and Robin Soudek with his second of the post season cut the lead in half to 6-3 before Depape was credited for his second of the game on the power play. Rookie Taylor Crunk scored his first WHL goal converting a centering feed from Ben Walker for a 7-4 final. The Royals beat Cheveldave 3 times on 6 shots in the final frame.
“Our goal was going into the third, was let’s win this period and try to establish some momentum and bring it back to Victoria, were I know we’re going to have a full house and we’re going to be ready to go.” Said Sacilotto.
Chase Schaber was named number one star with a goal and assist, Dylan Willick also had a goal and assist for 2nd star honours and D Marek Hrbas was named 3rd star. Depape had 2 goals, and JC Lipon added a pair of helpers.
Jamie Crooks and Taylor Crunk had a goal and assist each, while Steven Hodges had 2 assists.
Enio Sacilotto, Royals assistant coach, post game thoughts:
Victoria Royals 4 at Kamloops Blazers 7 - Status: Final
Saturday, March 24, 2012 - Interior Savings Centre - Kamloops, BC
Victoria 0 1 3 - 4
Kamloops 1 5 1 - 7
1st Period-
1, Kamloops, DePape 1 19:24 (TXT_PS).
Penalties-Madaisky Kam (checking to the head), 1:27; Stahl Vic (hooking), 12:14; Smith Kam (inter. on goaltender), 13:58; Rintoul Vic (roughing), 17:28; Willick Kam (roughing), 17:28.
Penalties-Conroy Vic (inter. on goaltender), 7:48; Stahl Vic (roughing), 9:16; Smith Kam (slashing), 11:57; Harrison Vic (kneeing), 15:26; Kanzig Vic (10-minute misconduct), 15:26; Hanes Kam (10-minute misconduct), 15:26; Smith Kam (slashing), 16:28.
