The Blazer power play struck three times in the first period to help pace the Kamloops Blazers (13-0-0-1) to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Victoria Royals (9-6) Saturday night.
“I liked the way we started, with the exception of a couple power play goals I thought I guys played really well, real hard in the first period.” said Head Coach Dave Lowry.
The Royals fall to 1-3 in the 8 game season series, and won’t meet the top team in the country again until January 15th, and 16th in Victoria.
The line of Colin Smith, Tim Bozon and JC Lipon who coming in had collectively scored 52% of the Blazers goals, combined for 8 points on the evening.
Kamloops holds the number one power play in the league and struck 3 times on 4 chances in the first, the final two goals 1:17 apart, the later with just 1.2 seconds left in the period.
“We dug ourselves a hole, and talked about it after the first came out and had a real good second period…” continued Lowry.
Trailing 4-0 after 20 minutes, Victoria out shot Kamloops 17-5 in the second and had two goals to show for, by Jamie Crooks and third star, Brandon Magee.
According to Lowry, “What hurt us we took a penalty right at the end of the (second) period. That kind of took us out of the flow, took our momentum away and weren’t able to generate much in the third.”
In the final frame, Smith struck with 1:55 left to regain the three goal lead and closed out the game.
The Royals went 0 for 3 with the man advantage, while the Blazers totalled 3 for 6.
Cole Cheveldave earned top star honours kicking out 25 shots collecting his league leading 10th win, while Patrik Polivka made 28 saves for his 4th loss.
Kamloops has now won 12 in a row, Victoria dropping their last 2 contests, both away from home.
The Royals continue 7 consecutive on the road next Friday and Saturday against the 9th ranked in the CHL, in Portland Winterhawks.
-mm
Victoria Royals 2 at Kamloops Blazers 5 - Status: Final
Saturday, October 27, 2012 - Interior Savings Centre - Kamloops, BC
Victoria 0 2 0 - 2
Kamloops 4 0 1 - 5
1st Period-
1, Kamloops, Bozon 14 (Smith, Lipon), 6:06 (PP).
2, Kamloops, Needham 3 (Souto, Hrbas), 14:08.
3, Kamloops, DePape 3 (Hrbas, Willick), 18:41 (PP).
4, Kamloops, Smith 11 (Cross, Bozon), 19:58 (PP).
Penalties-Grist Kam (boarding), 1:30; Fransoo Vic (interference), 1:54; Carroll Vic (major-fighting), 4:21; Rehill Kam (major-fighting), 4:21; Hicketts Vic (delay of game), 5:25; Grist Kam (cross checking), 6:27; Kanzig Vic (high sticking, high sticking), 16:46.
2nd Period-
5, Victoria, Crooks 5 (Hodges, Nelson), 7:03.
6, Victoria, Magee 7 (Gogolev, Hicketts), 18:31.
Penalties-DePape Kam (high sticking), 13:03; Walker Vic (interference), 20:00.
3rd Period-
7, Kamloops, Smith 12 (Bozon, Lipon), 18:05.
Penalties-Traber Vic (roughing), 8:29; Rehill Kam (roughing), 8:29; Traber Vic (major-fighting), 10:40; Rehill Kam (major-fighting), 10:40; Gagnon Vic (boarding), 13:19; Carroll Vic (roughing), 20:00; Kanzig Vic (roughing), 20:00; Cross Kam (roughing), 20:00; DePape Kam (roughing), 20:00.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 5-17-5-27.
Kamloops 14-5-14-33.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 3;
Kamloops 3 / 6.
Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 6-4-0-0 (33 shots-28 saves).
Kamloops, Cheveldave 10-0-0-0 (27 shots-25 saves).
A-4,858
Referees-Kevin Bennett (29), Reagan Vetter (39).
Linesmen-Kris Hartley (81), Dustin Minty (86).
Play By Play Voice of the Victoria Royals on The Zone @ 91.3 FM
