KAM 6 - VIC 5 OT FINAL

ROYALS FALL TO BLAZERS IN OVERTIME IN A BARN BURNER 

by Dustin Forbes BCIT Intern at The Zone @ 91.3 FM

After losing 4-3 on Tuesday night in the first half of a two game set with the Kamloops Blazers, the Victoria Royals fell in overtime, as Blazers Captain, Chase Schaber scored the winner 2:30 into the extra frame on the powerplay. The Royals remain winless in their last six games and have dropped three straight games at the Save-on Foods Memorial Centre. Royals finish November with a 2-8-1 record.

It was another tough start for the Royals as they gave up the first two goals of the game and found themselves down a pair just 3:56 into the hockey game as Colin Smith and Matt Needham potted goals for Kamloops. The Blazers scored again as Tyler Hansen sailed one in from the blueline over the shoulder of Royals netminder, Keith Hamilton, but the goal was disallowed as there was incidental contact with the goaltender by the Blazers forward in front of the net. Moments later, Royals Captain, Hayden Rintoul blasted home his 7th of the season on the powerplay to get the Royals within a goal; but the Blazers scored with just 2:24 left in the period to go up 3-1 after twenty minutes of play.

A huge second period for the hometown team, led by Kevin Sundher; he scored 1:34 into the second period to get the Royals back to within a goal with his 17th of the year from new linemates Logan Nelson and Jamie Crooks. Just over four minutes later, Sundher would strike again. This time on a solo dash, ripping home a wrist shot from the top of the slot over Blazers goalie, Cole Cheveldave’s glove to tie the game at three. Steven Hodges would match his jersey number with his 11th of the season to give the Royals their first lead of the night, but it was short-lived, as Chase Souto scored a beauty just 32 seconds later to see a 4-4 game through the first two periods.

Each team would add another in the third. Just 32 seconds in, Tim Bozon put the Blazers up a goal making it a 5-4 hockey game. But, the resiliency for the Royals continued as persistence paid off for Zane Jones; he potted his 4th goal of the year on a backhand over the glove of the Kamloops keeper to tie it once again.

In overtime, Royals defenseman Jesse Pauls took a penalty just 1:17 into the extra frame, and the Blazers would make Victoria pay. Chase Schaber sniped his fourth goal in the two games in Victoria to lift the Blazers over the Royals 6-5 in overtime.

Head Coach and General Manager, Marc Habscheid, said after the game, “The first period was horrendous. We were not good at all in the first period.” He went on to say, “In the last two periods, I thought were pretty good. I thought we made some real bad turnovers.”

Royals Assistant Coach, Craig Didmon after the loss:
 

Kevin Sundher had two goals in the game, while linemate Logan Nelson lead all scorers in the game with four assists. Nelson had six points in the two games against Kamloops

The schedule doesn’t get much easier for the Royals as they head to the Okanagan for games over the weekend against the Kelowna Rockets on Friday, before meeting the Blazers for the fourth time in eight days in Kamloops on Saturday night.

You can catch both games live with Marlon Martens on The Zone at 91.3

Stars:
1) Sundher
2) Bozon
3) Nelson

Power Plays:
Kam 1/3, Vic 1/5

Shots:
Kam 30, Vic 30

Attendance:
4612

Preview vs Kamloops

Brendan Ranford enjoyed the first four-assist game of his career, while Chase Schaber scored his 2nd career hat trick as the Kamloops Blazers got past the Royals 4-3 Tuesday night in Victoria.

The Royals battled back twice to tie the game on a pair of goals by Jamie Crooks, and Logan Nelson got them to within one, but it was as close as they’d come dropping their 5th straight.

Kevin Sundher’s surpassed Ryan Howse franchise point record on his first of 2 assists on the evening, pulling off the feat 22 games faster than Howse.

This evening Kamloops enters riding a 3 game win streak including 2 wins versus Victoria, and has won all 3 games in the season series.  They sit 2nd in the BC Division, 1 back of Vancouver with 3 in hand, and are 10 games over .500 this season.  They have a better record away from home, boasting points in 9 of 11 road games.

While dropping 8 of their last 9, Victoria remains tied for 3rd in the BC Division with Kelowna, however the Rockets have 2 games in hand.

Tonight the Royals look to wrap up the month of November with a win, snap a 5 game slide and avenge last nights 4-3 loss in the back half of 2 game home set verses the Kamloops Blazers in Victoria.

TRADE:

Following the game, the Blazers announced they have traded veteran defenceman Josh Caron, 20, to the Everett Silvertips for a fourth-round pick in the 2014 bantam draft.

JUST A GOAL:

While dominant all season in one goal games, Victoria has dropped their last 2 by a single score.  They’ve won 7 of 9 games where they score 1st but have failed to do so in 8 straight, picking up a Shoot Out Win in that stretch.  Their record in one goal games (8-3-0-1)

LINE DANCE:

With Sundher and Hodges flipping to each others lines recently, some old chemistry has been renewed between Sundher and Crooks from last year with the Bruins…each had 2 point nights, and 4 points in the last 2.

MINI SERIES:
- Royals yet to lose 2 game mini-series
- Played 7, 2 game sets.  Sweep (Kel & PG), Split (Sea, MH, RD, Van x 2)

MOVEMBER:
- The moustaches will be gone soon, as it's the last game of the month.
- Royals record in November (2-8)

‘LOOPS STINGY:
- Given up the 2nd fewest goals against in the conference (68)
- 3rd Fewest Shots Against on average in League

BLAZIN’:
- 3rd Most Goals For in League with 3.96 per game on average

CHILLED:
- Royals have fewest shots for on average per game 26.41
- Have given up Most Goals Against on average per game with 5

STREAKIN’
- Sundher on a 4 game point streak (3+3=6), Tied 6th in Scoring, 3rd Assists.
- Crooks 4 points in last 2 games (2+2-4)
- Nelson has points in 5 of last 6 (4+3=7), Tied for 3rd in Rookie Scoring

HEAD TO HEAD:
Chase Schaber 3 (6+1=7)
JC Lipon 3 (3+3=6)
Colin Smith 3 (2+3=5)

Brendan Ranford 2 (0+4=4)
Logan Nelson 3 (3+1=4)
Kevin Sundher 3 (1+2=3)

TRAIL BLAZERS:
- Dangerous on the road, picking up points in 9 of 11.
- 6 games over .500 away from ISC…better than home record (4 over .500)

SPECIAL TEAMS:
- Blazers lead the league in short handed goals with 9.
- Royals 0/3, Blazers ¼ last night

‘TENDERS:
- Cole Cheveldave 5th best GAA 2.43, started last 6, won 3 straight
- Keith Hamilton started last 12, 3rd in Saves in League (695)

GETTING FAMILIAR:
- Victoria plays Kamloops 3 times in 6 nights after tonight, and 4 times in 9 nights after Saturday.
- Twice at Home, Twice on the Road
- Game 4 of 6 game stretch vs BC Divison (0-3)

KAM 4 - VIC 3

Chase Schaber’s 3 goal performance helped the Kamloops Blazers get past the Royals 4-3 Tuesday night in Victoria.

Photograph by: Bruce Stotesbury, Times Colonist

The Royals battled back twice to tie the game on a pair of goals by Jamie Crooks, and Logan Nelson got them to within one, but it was as close as they’d come dropping their 5th straight.

Kevin Sundher’s surpassed Ryan Howse franchise point record on his first of 2 assists on the evening, bringing his total to 219.

The Blazers got on the board first as Schaber's shot bounces off the body of defenseman Jesse Pauls past Hamilton.  Jamie Crooks would score his 100th point of his career snapping a rebound past Cheveldave for his 11st of the season.

A carbon copy in the second as Schaber and Crooks exchanged goals.  In the third, Schaber would complete the hatrick on a breakaway to take the lead for a third time.  JC Lipon would open an 2 goal lead with his 9th, before Logan Nelson got in alone to backhand his 12th to draw the Royals to within one.

Kamloops took a late penalty, and with the goalie pulled Victoria was unable to capatalize dropping their 3rd to the Blazers in the season series.

The post game thoughts of Assistant Coach of the Royals, Craig Didmon




Power Play:
Victoria 0/3 - Kamloops 1/4

Shots:
Victoria 29 - Kamloops 30

Saves:
Hamilton 26/30, Cheveldave 26/29

Stars:
1) Schaber (3 Goals)
2) Crooks (2 Goals)
3) Ranford (4 Assists)

Attendance: 4400

They’ll go at it again Wednesday night with a 6:45 pregame show, 7:05 puck drop on the Zone @ 91.3 FM

To view more game pics, click here: http://bit.ly/vRXh4t

Preview: vs Kamloops

The Royals are coming off a pair of loses on their weekend road swing into the interior, 4-1 in Kamloops Friday and 6-5 in Kelowna Saturday.

It’s the fourth loss in a row for Victoria and longest skid of the season, now sitting tied with Kelowna for 3rd in the BC Division.

It was a see-saw affair Saturday night as the Royals erased a 2-0 Rocket lead with 3 unanswered in the 2nd, fought back to tie at 4 apiece, and almost completed a 3rd comeback but time experied on a Jamie Crooks shot that crossed the line after the final buzzer sounded…it would have been his 100th career point.

Minnesota draft pick Brett Bulmer was the #1 star scoring the hat trick, while Robin Soudek was the third star with his goal and assist – ending his 3 game pointless drought.  It was a scrappy affair with 4 fights, with other highlights include Zach Habscheid scoring his 1st of the season and the Royals impressing with the man advantage going 3 for 5.

Victoria now 3-1 against the Rockets will be back in Kelowna Friday night for the rematch.  It’s was also the Royals 7th loss in their last 8, dipping 3 games below .500.

Kevin Sundher picked up 3 points on the weekend tying Ryan Howse’s franchise record 217 points.  Hayden Rintoul picked up a pair of assists while Brandon Magee on a 3 game point streak has 13 points in his last 11.

Tonight marks the Blazers’ first game in Victoria since Jan. 30, 1994 — The Victoria Cougars winning the game 5-4.

Kamloops is riding a 2 game win streak including the 4-1 victory over Victoria Friday, following that up with a 50 shot effort and an 8-2 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds Saturday. 

The Blazers lead the season series 2 – 0 with their other win 8-2 back on Oct 2nd as the Royals wrapped up a 3 game in 3 night road trip.  They sit 2nd in the BC Division, 1 back of Vancouver with 3 in hand, and are 9 games over .500 this season.

Kevin Sundher looks to take the franchise lead in points while leading his Royals back into the win column versus the Kamloops Blazers tonight in Victoria.

‘LOOPS STINGY:
- given up the 2nd fewest goals against in the conference (65)...Tri Cities #1 (62)
- giving up less than 20 shots against in each of their final 2 games. 

‘TENDERS:

- Cole Cheveldave has 4th best GAA and 91.4%…started last 5.
- Keith Hamilton started last 11, 5th in Saves in League

THREATS:
- Line of BOZON / SMITH / LIPON (combined 12 points vs Victoria)
- Smith & Lipon have 5 points each 2(2+3=5) in season series.

1st GOAL:
- The Royals haven’t scored 1st in 7 straight (1 sow)
- Only 1 regulation loss in 9 when scoring 1st.

TRAIL BLAZERS:
- Dangerous on the road, picking up points in 8 of 10.
- 5 games over .500 away from ISC.
- Victoria is 2 over .500 at home.

SPECIAL TEAMS:
- Blazers lead the league in short handed goals with 9.
- Royals 3/5 on PP vs Kel…1/5 vs Kam…after going 3 games without PP goal

SNUBBED:
- No Blazer or Royal received an invite to the World Junior selection camp.

ISLAND BOY SITS:
- D-man Josh Caron serving the final of a 3 game suspension for check to head of Max Reinhart…Caron is from Campbell River.

GETTING FAMILIAR:
- Victoria plays Kamloops 3 times in 6 nights after tomorrow, and 4 times in 9 nights after this coming weekend.
- Twice at Home, Twice on the Road
- In middle of 6 game stretch vs BC Divison

No WJ Invite for Sundher

After making Team WHL in the Subway Super Series, Royals forward Kevin Sundher was held off the list of 16 WHL invitees to Team Canada's National Junior Team Selection Camp.  

The Camp takes place Dec. 10-14, in Calgary.

Here's Kevin's thoughts on not receiving an invite:

 

Head Coach and GM of the Royals Marc Habscheid on Sundher:

 

Some WHL noteables include Moose Jaw Warriors' Quinton Howden who helped Canada earn a Silver Medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, NY.  The WHL’s current leading scorer Mark Stone (Brandon Wheat Kings), Montreal Canadiens top prospect Brendan Gallagher (Vancouver Giants), first round 2011 NHL Draft picks Mark McNeill (Prince Albert Raiders) and Joseph Morrow (Portland Winterhawks). 

List of players invited here: http://whl.ca/article/16-whl-players-invited-to-canada-s-jr-camp

The Royals sit tied with Kelowna for 3rd in the BC Division after dropping pair on their weekend road swing into the interior, 4-1 in Kamloops Friday and 6-5 in Kelowna Saturday.

It’s the fourth loss in a row for the Royals and longest skid of the season.

Victoria will now face Kamloops in back to back visits on home ice Tuesday and Wednesday.  The Royals have lost both meetings of the season versus the Blazers who are 9 games over .500 and one point back of Vancouver for top spot in the division.

Catch all the action on The Zone at 91.3 www.thezone.fm/whl
 

VIC 5 - KEL 6

Kanzig versus Goulbourne Credit: Cindy Rogers

The Royals dropped a pair on their weekend road swing into the interior, 4-1 in Kamloops Friday and 6-5 in Kelowna Saturday.

It’s the fourth loss in a row for the Royals and longest skid of the season, now sitting tied with Kelowna for 3rd in the BC Division.

Jamie Crooks  thought to have scored the tying goal at the buzzer, but was ruled no goal as the time expired in the 3rd before the puck crossed the line. 

It was a see-saw affair Saturday night as the Rockets put up a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes on a rebound goal by Tanner Moar, his 1st in the WHL, and Minnesota Draft pick Brett Bulmer’s 4th off a skate while passing the puck through the slot.  Keegan Kanzig got into a dust up with Tyrell Goulbourne in the first of 4 fights on the evening.

In the second, the Royals would score 3 unanswered to take the lead.  Robin Soudek and Brandon Magee on the power play.  Then Logan Nelson backhanded a beauty to pop the water bottle on a breakaway at the 6:05 mark after Mike Forsyth intercepted a breakout pass at the Kelowna blueline.

Victoria’s lead lasted a mere 45 seconds. The Rockets would take a time out, respond with a fight between Magee and Goulbourne and get a tying goal by Carter Rigby.  Bulmer added his second a minute and 5 seconds later and Kelowna regained the lead 4-3 heading into the third. 

The middle frame saw three more tilts, Magee vs Goulbourne, Zach Habscheid versus Colton Heffley and Tim Traber taking on Tanner Moar.

The Royals power play clicked for a third time to even the score at 4 as Soudek found Sundher in the slot for a one timer.  The Rockets would go ahead again with a power play marker of their own by Colton Sissons, and just a minute and 14 seconds later, Bulmer would complete the Hat Trick to take a 6-4 lead.

After Habscheid blocked a painful shot in the mid-section, he would return to the ice to score his first of the season to bring the Royals to within one, but it would be as close as they’d come dropping their first against the Rockets in 4 games this season.  It’s also the Royals 7th loss in their last 8, dipping 3 games below .500.

Assistant Coach Enio Sacilotto talks about the Royals effort Saturday night, the line juggling and moment swings.

Enio sacilotto - post game comments
Bulmer was named the #1 star in his first appearance against Victoria, Kelowna defenseman Mitchell Chapman was star 2 adding 2 helpers and Robin Soudek was the third star with his goal and assist – ending his 3 game pointless drought.

Kelowna outshot Victoria 29-24, as Keith Hamilton stopped 23 shots playing infront of family and friends in his hometown.  Adam Brown picked up his 9th win in his 20th game.  The Royals power play went 3 for 5, and shut down 4 of 6 Rocket opportunities.

Kevin Sundher picked up 3 points on the weekend tying Ryan Howse’s franchise record 217 points.  Hayden Rintoul picked up a pair of assists while Brandon Magee with a goal now has 10 points in his last 8.

Watch the fights and game highlights here: www.kelownarockets.com

Victoria now 3-1 against the Rockets will be back in Kelowna next Friday night for the rematch.  Up next a double header versus the Kamloops Blazers on Tuesday and Wednesday in Victoria.

VIC 1 - KAM 4

Paced by a pair of goals by Dylan Willick, the Blazers got past the Royals 4-1 Friday night in Kamloops, extending their losing streak to 3 games.

The Blazers led 1-0 after 20 minutes and 2-0 after 40.  In the third, Colin Smith scored as the power play expired 2:04 in to give them a 3-0 lead.

Kevin Sundher got his 15th of the season with the man advantage at the 16:09 mark - getting in alone and going five hole on a nice deke on the number star Cole Cheveldave, who made 17 stops.  Moments later Sundher thought he’d scored again, but the goal was waved off after the referee ruled Cheveldave had been pushed into the net.

GOAL - Sundher 15th color by Steve Passmore
 
Willick sealed it with his second of the night into an empty net with 8 seconds left.  Blazers outshot the Royals 40-18 on the night.

(Photo by Murray Mitchell / Kamloops Daily News)

Keith Hamilton made 36 saves, noteably breakaways by Smith and two by Lipon and denying the later on a 3 on 1 in the second.

The Royals scored once on the power play in five opportunities, while shutting down the Blazers five chances. 

They’ll meet again next Tuesday and Wednesday in Victoria, looking for a pair of wins to even the season series.

The loss puts Victoria 2 games under .500 and extends the losing streak to 3 games, tying the longest skid of the season.  They’ve been outscored 23 to 7 in that stretch.

Making his debut wearing number 10 for the Royals was Minnesota High School’s Ben Walker who showed his great speed and got two shots on net.  He was paired on a line with Austin Carroll and Tim Traber.

Also back in the line up was rookie forward Taylor Crunk returning after missing 14 games due to injury.  He was paired with Mike Forsyth and Zane Jones.

Sundher with goals in back to back games is 7th in WHL scoring and will find out Monday if he gets an invite to World Junior Camp.  He’s just 2 points shy of tying Ryan Howse’s franchise record of 217.

TONIGHT:

This evening the 3rd place Royals are in Kelowna to take on the 4th place Rockets who are coming off a 4-0 loss to Kootenay last night.  It snaps their 3 game winning streak, all versus 5th place Prince George.  It was the Kootenay Ice sweeping their BC Division road trip, handing Kelowna their first regulation loss in 6 games.

Victoria has won all 3 games in the season series thus far, 3-2 Oct 23rd in Kelowna, and previous back to back home wins 7-5 and 4-3 in overtime.

Against the Rockets in 3 games this season, Kevin Sundher has 8 points, Robin Soudek with 6 and Jamie Crooks 4.  Keith Hamilton who is from Kelowna has been between the pipes for all 3 victories. 

It’ll be the first time the Royals have faced forward Brett Bulmer this season, and in 9 games since returning from the Minnesota Wild he has 12 points.  Kelowna’s record since his return, 4-3-1-1.

Sitting just 2 points up on the Rockets the Royals look to widen the gap and snap a 3 game slide tonight in Kelowna.

Catch play by play action on The Zone @ 91.3 www.thezone.fm/whl

Royals Prepare For Weekend

With 5 days in between games the Victoria Royals prepare for an upcoming road trip to the interior for games against the Blazers and Rockets starting Friday night in Kamloops. 

After dropping their last 2 outings, Victoria begins an important segment of their schedule.  The next 6 games will all be versus BC Division opponents.  They’ll face Kamloops four times in the next six games, and Kelowna the other 2.

The Royals are 3rd in the Division, sit 6 back of the 2nd place Blazers who have points in their last 3 games, and 4 points up on the Rockets who haven’t lost in regulation in their last 4 outings.

Victoria has won all 3 games so far against Kelowna, and dropped their only meeting versus the Blazers in Kamloops.

Here's Coach & GM Marc Habscheid on the mind-set of the club this week:
 
Fans first opportunity to see the Royals new acquisition, forward Ben Walker will be Tuesday November 29th, when the Blazers come for a pair of back to back home games.

He may already have been nicknamed, 'Benny The Bunny'.  Why? http://bit.ly/rpnlUV

Catch all the action starting Friday night at 6:45 from Kamloops on The Zone @ 91.3

Ben Walker Signs with Victoria

 There was a new face a Victoria Royals practice this morning.

Forward Ben Walker will wear #10 and comes from the EDINA (eee-dine-ah) HORNETS of the Minnesota High School Hockey League.  

Last season he captained the Hornets squad in his junior year. 

Season        Team                        League Gp G A Pts Pims

2009-2010    Edina High Hornets   USHS     25   6  8 14 20       Playoffs 6 0 4 4 0 

                   Edina Lakers             MNJHL    2   2  5   7 16

2010-2011    Team North               MN Elite 16   5  1   6  6        Playoffs 2 0 0 0 0

                   Edina High Hornets   USHS     24 18 12 30 18       Playoffs 6 0 2 2 2   

2011-2012    Team Southwest       MN Elite  24 14 13 27 

                   Edina High Hornets   USHS (no games played)

In the 2010 playoffs, the Hornets won the Class 2A state title and Walker chipped in four assists in six games.  Last season they won 4th in the State.

 

Known for his speed, the '93 born, 5’11” -175 pound right-hand shooting forward Walker scored 14 goals and added 13 assists playing 24 games for Team Southwest of the Minnesota Elite League this fall.

Here's Coach & GM Marc Habscheid on Ben Walker:

Drafted in the 6^th round, 81^stoverall by the Muskegeon Lumberjacks in the 2011 USHL Entry Draft, Ben Walker spoke with me after his first practice with the club this morning:

 

Royals Logan Nelson also from Minnesota used to play against him, had this to say:

 

Q & A with Andy Neal:

http://www.victoriaroyals.com/article/ben-walker-hits-ice-with-royals-for-the-first-time/109823

Next up for the Royals, a visit to the interior to face Kamloops friday and Kelowna Saturday. 
Victoria fans won't get their first look at Walker until Tuesday, November 29^th when the Kamloops Blazers visit the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for a 7:05 p.m. start. 


Catch all the action on www.thezone.fm

Royals 8-3 loss to Ice

The Victoria Royals dropped a pair on the weekend, 11-3 in Vancouver Friday, and then 8-3 versus the defending WHL champs, the Kootenay Ice in front of 6,482 fans on home ice Saturday.  

The Ice playing without their leading goal scorer Max Reinhart, (sitting out for violating team rules), and starting their back up netminder Mackenzie Skapki, appeared to be the tonic for a Royals club looking to bounce back.  It was not the case as Kootenay struck just 53 seconds into the opening period.

Leading the attack was Elgin Pearce who complimented his hat trick with an assist and was named the #1 star.  Jesse Ismond struck twice and added 3 helpers for 5 points and 2nd star honours, while Drew Czerwonka rounded out the stars with a goal and 2 assists.

The Ice held leads of 3-0 after 20 min and 8-0 until the 17:09 mark of the 2nd, before Logan Nelson (1 goal 1 assist) broke back up Mackenzie Skapski’s shutout bid.  The Royals added singles by Brandon Magee and Kevin Sundher in the 3rd.

Victoria was out shot 41-28 on the evening, allowed a short handed marker, but killed off all 5 Kootenay power plays.  For the 2nd night in a row Keith Hamilton was replaced by Jared Rathjen between the pipes, but on this night he came back to start the 3rd – stopping a total 31 of 37 shots.

Austin Carroll was awarded a penalty shot with 6.6 seconds left in the 3rd but was unable to score.  There was one fight as Tim Traber handled Jonathan Martin in the 2nd.

Captain Hayden Rintoul was held off the score-sheet versus his former club, while Dylen McKinlay the forward he was traded for chipped in with a pair of assists.

Up next a 5 day break before heading to the interior for a pair of games against BC Division opponents…the 2nd place Blazers in Kamloops on Friday and then face the 4th place Rockets in Kelowna on Saturday a team who they’ve beaten 3 times this season.

Catch all the action on the Zone at 91.3.  (www.thezone.fm)

ICE 8 - ROYALS 3

ROYALS FALL TO KOOTENAY AT HOME

by Dustin Forbes (BCIT INTERN at The Zone @91.3 FM)

The Victoria Royals played host to the Kootenay Ice at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre on Saturday night in the lone meeting between the two teams this season. After being trounced by the Vancouver Giants Friday night 11-3 at the Pacific Coliseum, the Royals didn’t fare much better at home, losing 8-3 in front of 6,482 spectators at the barn on Blanshard.

Kootenay would get on the board early, as Jesse Ismond scored just 53 seconds into the hockey game. The Ice would add to their lead with exactly five minutes to go in the opening frame, as Elgin Pearce scored his first of three in the game. Luke Paulsen would score to make it 3-0 after 20 minutes for the Ice on a blast from the right point.

In the second period, the Ice would continue to pour it on. Ismond and Pearce would each score their second of the game, before the Kootenay Captain Drew Czerwonka would chase starting goaltender Keith Hamilton making the score 6-0. Jared Rathjen allowed goals on the first two shots he faced as Pearce completed the hat-trick at the 15:12 mark before Jaedon Descheneau scored the other making it 8-0.

Logan Nelson would make it 8-1 with his 10th goal of the season – scoring at the 17:09 mark of the second period. Rathjen would only play 6:19 in the game as Hamilton took to the crease for the start of the third period.

In the final frame, the Royals would score the only two goals of the period. Brandon Magee would snipe one home over the left shoulder of Ice goaltender, Mackenzie Skapski for his 6th goal of the year. Kevin Sundher would tally his team-leading 14th just 53 seconds later on a backhand between the legs of Skapski. With ten seconds left in the game, a mad scramble in front of the Kootenay net would result in a penalty shot for the Royals. Austin Carroll would take it, but Skapski stopped him on the shot.

The Kootenay Ice would hold onto the 8-3 victory over the Royals.

The thoughts of assistant coach Enio Sacilotto following the loss, as interviewed by Marlon Martens & Mike Walker:

 

Multiple point getters in the game for Victoria: Logan Nelson(1G+1A).

For Kootenay: Jesse Ismond(2G+3A), Elgin Pearce(3G+1A), Drew Czerwonka(1G+2A), Max Reinhart(0G+2A), Dylen McKinley(0G+2A), and Luke Paulsen(1G+1A).

Next up for Victoria, they travel to Kamloops to take on the Blazers on Friday, November 25th; followed by a stop in Kelowna on the Saturday. Both the games can be heard on The Zone @91.3 with play-by-play voice, Marlon Martens.

Check out the feature on Hayden Rintoul by Dustin Forbes:

 

Hayden Rintoul by Dustin Forbes

Victoria 3 at Vancouver 11 FINAL

It was a pair of hat tricks from Dalton Sward and Neil Manning that lead the Giants to an 11 – 3 victory over the Victoria Royals in Vancouver Friday night, extending their win streak to 5 games.

Rookie scoring leader Marek Tvrdon was named the #1 star with 2 goals and 3 assists in a 5 point effort.  His linemate Brendan Gallagher had a goal and 3 helpers, while their centerman James Henry was held off the score sheet.

After trailing 2-0 after 20 minutes, the Giants scored 6 straight in the 2nd and carried an 8-0 lead into the 3rd.  Both clubs struck 3 times in the 3rd, with Hodges, Crooks and Nelson providing the goals for the Royals.

Vancouver’s power play scored 5 times on 7 opportunities, 4 times alone in the middle frame while out shooting the Royals 46 – 17 on the night.  Victoria went 0 for 5 with the man advantage.

Netminder Keith Hamilton stopped 22 of 26 and was relieved by back up Jared Rathjen in the 2nd who allowed 7 on 20 shots.

Jesse Pauls marked his return to the line up after missing 13 games, throwing a big hit on Levi Bews, blocking a Gallagher shot, and stealing the puck on the back check.

The Giants now lead the best of 10 series 5 games to 2, and won’t meet again until March 3rd in Victoria.  The Royals drop back to .500 on the season, 5 points back of the 2nd place Blazers.

Up next the defending WHL champions, and captain Hayden Rintouls former club, the Kootenay Ice.  They’ll visit Victoria Saturday night as the Ice begin a 5 game in 7 day stretch travelling through the BC Division.

The pregame show starts at 6:45, puck drop at 7 on The Zone @ 91.3 FM.

Ben Walker to WHL

According to David La Vaque of the Star Tribune, Edina senior captain Ben Walker is leaving the local high school hockey ranks to play in the WHL, and has had talks with the Victoria Royals. 

Story: http://bit.ly/vwiwBh

Known for his speed, the 5-foot-10, 174-pound Walker scored 14 goals and added 13 assists playing 24 games for Team Southwest of the Elite League this fall.

Here's Marc Habscheid thoughts after practice this morning:

Marc habscheid on Ben Walker (edit) by Voice_VicRoyals

Kanzig named to U-17

KEEGAN KANZIG NAMED TO TEAM PACIFIC

 (taken from www.victoriaroyals.com)

They'll be checking his I.D. once, twice, maybe three times when he walks through the door to the World Under-17 Challenge in Windsor, Ontario tournament.  

The 6’5”, 229 pound man-child has played 20 games this season and has 36 pims. 

Kanzig keegan on U-17 by Voice_VicRoyals Kanzig is one of 22 players chosen to play for Team Pacific, and was selected in the first round of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.

Here he is dressed as the Italian Stallion at the Royals Hallowe'en skate.

Last season, Royals’ forwards Steven Hodges and Brandon Magee helped Team Pacific to a bronze medal victory at the 2011 World Under-17 Challenge in Manitoba. Magee scored the overtime winner against Team Quebec in the bronze medal game. At the 2009 World Under-17 Challenge in Port Alberni, BC, Royal’s forward Kevin Sundher was part of Team Pacific’s roster that earned a silver medal.


Kanzig and Team Pacific will begin competition on December 29. The gold medal game for the 2012 World Under-17 Challenge is scheduled for January 4, 2012.

Sundher & Team Getting Healthy

Kevin Sundher (upper body) has been cleared to play in the Subway Super Series according Head Coach and GM of the Royals Marc Habscheid:


Whl 20111115 Habscheid on Sundher cleared for Super Series by Voice_VicRoyals
The Royals are also getting healthier, defenseman Jesse Pauls and forward Taylor Crunk are inching closer to returning to the line up.  They've only played 8 games each this season.  Marc Habscheid comments on what's being worked on a practice this week and the players progression.

Whl 20111115 Habscheid on getting-healthy-and-practice-this-week by Voice_VicRoyals