Preview: Victoria @ Tri City

The Victoria Royals (4-2) look to bounce back in Tri City (3-3) tonight after falling 5-3 to the Chiefs in Spokane Friday.  Pregame show tonight at 6:45 on The Zone @ 91.3 FM, online www.thezone.fm

It’s the first of four meetings against the Americans, last season the Royals won once in Tri City 5-4 back on Oct 25th.

The Americans have won back to back games after a 4-1 victory over the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes last night.  Justin Feser had a goal and two assists. They blanked the Silvertips 2-0 in Everett on Wednesday.

17 year old netminder Eric Comrie has played in all six games for the Americans, allowing only one goal against in his last two victories.  Comrie has now stopped 71 of the last 72 shots he's faced (.986).

The Royals twice came to within one, but fell short to the Chiefs as defenseman Brenden Kichton had a 5 point night, and Mitch Holmberg added a pair.  Spokane’s power play also struck 3 times.  Netminder Patrik Polivka suffered his first loss in 5 starts for Victoria.

Tri City no longer has their top 3 scorers from last year, as Brendan Shinnimin, Adam Hughesman and Patrick Holland – who combined for an outstanding 133 goals and 359 points have moved on.

For Victoria Brandon Magee and Jamie Crooks both have goals in back to back games, while Alex Gogolev is tied for the league lead in points with 10, has 4 points in his last 2 games (1g, 3a).  Logan Nelson (2a) also has points in his last two outings.

Victoria is still without forwards Steven Hodges and Taylor Crunk, along with defenseman Jordan Fransoo, all listed as day to day.

The Royals are in the middle of three in three nights with a 4 pm game Sunday in Vancouver.

VICTORIA                                   TRI CITY

Last Game
5-3 L @ Spokane (Oct 5 2012)     4-1 W vs Lethbridge (Oct 5 2012) Final

Home Record
3-1-0-0                                           2-2-0-0
Away Record
1-1-0-0                                           1-1-0-0

GF
20                                                   16
GA
20                                                   16

PP
(6/27) 22.2                                     (6/24) 25.0
PK
(6/24) 75.0                                     (4/25) 84.0

Leading Rookie
Hicketts (1-1-2)                              Bowles (2-1-3)

Team PIM/GM
14.3/Game                                      12.7/Game

Leading Scorers
Gogolev (3-7-10)                            Feser (3-4-7)
Nelson (1-5-6)                                Strömwall (4-1-5)
Magee (4-1-5)                                 Bowles (2-1-3)
Cote (2-3-5)                                    Messier (1-2-3)
Crooks (2-2-4)                                Plutnar (0-3-3)

Last 5 Games
5-3 L @ Spokane (Oct 5 2012)               4-1 W vs Lethbridge (Oct 5 2012) Final
4-3 W vs Mh (Oct 3 2012) Final OT       2-0 W @ Everett (Oct 3 2012) Final
3-0 L vs Kamloops (Sep 30 2012)           5-3 L @ Spokane (Sep 29 2012) Final
4-3 W vs Kamloops (Sep 28 2012) SO   3-1 W vs Everett (Sep 27 2012) Final
3-2 W vs Vancouver (Sep 22 2012)         4-2 L vs Portland (Sep 23 2012) Final