The Victoria Royals (13-12, 26pts) earned a split against the visiting Prince George Cougars (9-12-1-3, 22pts) with a 3-2 victory Saturday night.
Royals defenseman Brett Cote broke a 2-2 tie with less than 3 minutes to go in the third, to bring the season series to a game a piece, after falling to the Cougars 5-4 the night before.
“We’re happy with the win, we really need that, and those points against a rival in our division is critical.” Royals assistant Coach Ben Cooper.
After Prince George defenseman Raymond Grewal opened the scoring in the first on the power play, Ben Walker replied with his 9th and 10th goals of the season to give Victoria a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. Walker had been stopped on a penalty shot earlier in the period.
“He’s one of our most consistent forwards on a game to game basis…” said Cooper about Walker the games first star, “He’s got one of the quickest releases…he had a great game tonight, he was shooting the puck and was really good on the penalty kill.”
Cougars forward Jarrett Fontaine had the only goal in the 2nd.
Patrik Polivka got the start again, this time going the distance making 31 saves for his 10th win, while his counterpart Brett Zawrony allowed 3 goals on 28 shots for his 5th loss.
Victoria went 0/1 on the power play while Prince George went 1 fo 6.
The Royals are now 3-2 on their current 6 game homestand which wraps up Tuesday with a visit from the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Victoria improves to 13-12, and with 26 points remain in 6th in the West, 3 up on Seattle, and 4 up on Prince George and Everett. They’ll play the Cougars twice next weekend in Prince George.
Walker extends his point streak to 5 games (5g 4a), Alex Gogolev pushes his streak to 9 games with an assist (3g 7a). With 2 helpers Logan Nelson now has points in 6 straight games (3g 6a).
Royals 8th overall bantam selection in 2012, Tyler Soy played in his first WHL game. Defenseman Tyler Stahl served the final of his two game suspension. Victoria was still without the services of 19 year old forward Tim Traber (upper). Steven Hodges played his 150th career game.
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Prince George Cougars 2 at Victoria Royals 3 - Status: Final
Saturday, November 24, 2012 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Prince George 1 1 0 - 2
Victoria 2 0 1 - 3
1st Period-
1, Prince George, Grewal 1 (Siwak, Erricson), 6:20 (PP).
2, Victoria, Walker 9 (Nelson), 10:39.
3, Victoria, Walker 10 (Gogolev, Nelson), 13:05.
Penalties-Hodges Vic (checking from behind, checking from behind), 4:36; Jacobs P.g (roughing), 15:23; Magee Vic (roughing), 15:23; Magee Vic (slashing), 17:40.
2nd Period-
4, Prince George, Fontaine 3 (Witala, McNulty), 8:28.
Penalties-Ehrhardt P.g (hooking), 3:48; Hicketts Vic (high sticking), 4:52; McNulty P.g (major-fighting), 14:48; Fransoo Vic (major-fighting), 14:48; Fisher Vic (kneeing), 18:59.
3rd Period-
5, Victoria, Cote 3 17:04. Penalties-Harrison Vic (delay of game), 9:12.
Shots on Goal-
Prince George 10-13-10-33.
Victoria 13-4-11-28.
Power Play Opportunities-
Prince George 1 / 6;
Victoria 0 / 1.
Goalies-
Prince George, Zarowny 5-5-0-0 (28 shots-25 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 10-6-0-0 (33 shots-31 saves).
A-4,803
Referees-Adam Griffiths (36), Mark Pearce (5).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Ryan Gibbons (73).
Play By Play Voice of the Victoria Royals on The Zone @ 91.3 FM
