Recap: Vancouver 1 - Victoria 4 (Jan 26)

Brandon Magee scored twice to lead the Victoria Royals to a franchise record 7th consecutive win with a 4-1 victory over the visiting Vancouver Giants Saturday.

Victoria fights for a loose puck in a 4-1 win over Vancouver Saturday

“It feels great, especially the last 3 years being a part of this organization and the tough year we had last year – it’s a pretty good feeling to have the streak going.” – Assistant Coach Enio Sacilotto

The Royals sweep the 2 game set against the Giants, winning 6-4 the night before.  It’s their 3rd sweep in 7 back to back home sets this season.  Victoria now leads the 10 game season series 6 games to 2 and will meet next on the Island March 8th.

“Obviously really proud of our guys and pleased…the big thing is we’ve gotten large contributions from everybody.  Once again our top guys have been good and our young guys have been able to push and feed off it.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

The Royals are now just 2 points back of the Americans for 5th in the Conference and hold 3 games in hand.

Patrik Polivka has 23 wins

Victoria’s power play continued it’s hot streak, going 2 for 5, while shutting down all 5 Vancouver man advantages.  In the Royals last 8 outings the power play is producing at 42.4% (19/45).

Patrik Polivka made 17 saves for his 23rd victory, and set the franchise record with 7 consecutive wins by a netminder, passing Chilliwack Bruins Lucas Gore.

Magee notched 6 goals in the two game set, extending his point streak to 8 games (9g 6a), while Alex Gogolev (1a) pushed his streak to 8 games (3g 17a), and Steven Hodges (1a) to 7 games (8g 4a).  The line has produced 42 points in the 7 game streak.

It was the annual Pink In The Rink night and was the first capacity crowd of 7,006 of the season.

Royals Bench on Pink in the Rink night.

Lowry on how the sell out crowd, pumped up the players,

“I think our guys were excited, this is a great building to play in and they’re loud every night…great event, building is full and loud and our guys feed off that.”

L-R Gogolev, Carrol and Polivka celebrate the win.

Jamie Crooks opened the scoring in the first with his 22nd of the season, and 100th in the WHL.  Brandon Magee would add a power play goal for his 24th to give the Royals a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.

In the 2nd, Brandon Fushimi would redirect a Joe Hicketts point shot on the power play to give Victoria a 3-0 lead after 40.  The Royals outshot the Giants 11-2 in the middle frame.

Magee would strike :51 seconds into the third to take a commanding 4-0 lead.  Cain Franson would add a single to round out the scoring and break the shout out bid.

Victoria played without Captain Tyler Stahl (serving game misconduct), Logan Nelson (Lower, 2-3 weeks), Ben Walker (Upper, day to day), Luke Harrison (Upper, indefinite), and Trent Lofthouse (Upper, day to day).

The 3 game home stand wraps up Tuesday against Prince Albert.

-mm

Vancouver Giants 1 at Victoria Royals 4 - Status: Final
Saturday, January 26, 2013 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Vancouver 0 0 1 - 1
Victoria 2 1 1 - 4

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Crooks 22 (Carroll), 5:46.
2, Victoria, Magee 24 (Gogolev, Cote), 12:12 (PP).

Penalties-Gogolev Vic (roughing), 6:52; Sieben Van (tripping), 11:46; Kanzig Vic (delay of game), 15:35; Orban Van (elbowing), 18:16.

2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Fushimi 6 (Walker, Hicketts), 7:03 (PP).

Penalties-Kanzig Vic (holding), 1:38; Kieser Van (tripping), 6:41; Orban Van (tripping), 8:04; Trott Van (major-fighting), 11:41; Crunk Vic (major-fighting), 11:41; Vickerman Van (kneeing), 14:07; Sward Van (10-minute misconduct), 15:47; Carroll Vic (10-minute misconduct), 15:47; Magee Vic (slashing), 15:47.

3rd Period-
4, Victoria, Magee 25 (Hodges, Gagnon), 0:51.
5, Vancouver, Franson 20 (Orban, Kulak), 8:02.

Penalties-Crunk Vic (checking to the head), 19:00.

Shots on Goal-
Vancouver 8-2-8-18.
Victoria 6-11-10-27.

Power Play Opportunities-
Vancouver 0 / 5;
Victoria 2 / 5.

Goalies-
Vancouver, Rathjen 2-6-0-0 (27 shots-23 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 23-10-1-2 (18 shots-17 saves).

A-7,006
Referees-Jason Cramer (57), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).