Recap: VIC 4 - PG 3

Brett Cote broke a 3-3 tie in the third as the Royals (15-12-0-1, 31pts) came from behind to defeat the Cougars 4-3 in Prince George (9-14-1-3, 22pts) Saturday sweeping the back to back weekend set.

“It feels great coming out of here with 4 points, we had to battle back and it was a real character win and I’m glad we finished it off.”  Royals forward Mitch Deacon.

Trailing 3-2 in the third, Mitch Deacon (2nd) and Brett Cote (4th) scored 59 seconds apart to retake the lead while Patrik Polivka shut the door making 34 saves for his 12th win. 

Logan Nelson and Mitch Deacon press for a goal.

Patrik Polivka earned both wins in PG

“He kept us in the game, especially in the 2nd period when we were getting out shot.  He made a couple key stops, and even in the third period.” said Royals Assistant Coach Enio Sacilotto.

His counterpart, Mac Engel allowed 4 goals on 26 shots.

Victoria takes a 3-1 lead in the 8 game season series, and have not lost in Prince George in Royals team history (6-0).  The Royals won 2-0 the night before.

After Jamie Crooks (14th) and Austin Carroll (4th) on a 5 on 3 had Victoria up 2-0 in the first, the Cats Dalton Siwak scored short handed and Ryan Hanes tied it up before the period was out.

Prince George poured it on in the 2nd, outshooting Victoria 17-4 and had the only goal of the period by Marc McNulty to give them their first lead of the game, 3-2.

The Royals turned the tables in the final frame, doubling the Cougars in shots 12-6 and scoring twice to comple the come back.

“It feels good, moving up in the standings again, get the 4 points and go home.”  Royals forward Austin Carroll.

Victoria went 1 for 2 on the power play, and stopped all 5 Prince George man advantages.

Brandon Magee and Jack Walker had two assists each, while Carroll had a goal and assist.  Siwak had a goal and two assists.  Logan Nelson extends his point sreak to 9 games (3g 9a), while Alex Gogolev had his 11 game point streak snapped.

Victoria remains 6th in the Conference with 31 points, as Prince George remains 9th, now 9 back of the Royals.

Victoria is undefeated in regulation in their last 4 games, taking 7 of 8 points in that span.  The Royals improve to 6-8 on the road, while Cougars dip to 3 games below .500 at home (5-8-1-0).

Victoria now returns home for a tilt against BC Division rivals Vancouver Wednesday and Swift Current on Teddy Bear Toss Night a week Saturday.

-mm

Victoria Royals 4 at Prince George Cougars 3 - Status: Final
Saturday, December 1, 2012 - CN Centre - Prince George, BC

Victoria 2 0 2 - 4
Prince George 2 1 0 - 3

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Crooks 14 (Magee, Walker), 7:25.
2, Victoria, Carroll 4 (Nelson, Magee), 12:03 (PP).
3, Prince George, Siwak 6   13:12 (SH).
4, Prince George, Hanes 4 (Forsberg, Siwak), 17:50.

Penalties-Gagnon Vic (inter. on goaltender), 2:52; McNulty P.g (slashing), 11:50; Roulston P.g (cross checking), 11:50; Gogolev Vic (tripping), 18:43; Walker Vic (roughing), 19:57; Pochiro P.g (roughing), 19:57.

2nd Period-
5, Prince George, McNulty 5 (Erricson), 10:16.

Penalties-Magee Vic (slashing, unsportsmanlike cnd.), 15:41.

3rd Period-
6, Victoria, Deacon 2 (Fisher, Walker), 12:15.
7, Victoria, Cote 4 (Carroll), 13:14.

Penalties-Magee Vic (inter. on goaltender), 3:18.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 10-4-12-26.
Prince George 14-17-6-37.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 2;
Prince George 0 / 5.

Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 12-6-0-1 (37 shots-34 saves).
Prince George, Engel 4-9-0-3 (26 shots-22 saves).

A-1,651
Referees-Jeff Ingram (82), Chris Crich (20).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Brendon Creyke (131).