Preview: Spokane at Victoria (March 1)

The 6th place Victoria Royals (32-25-1-4, 69pts) look to snap a 7 game winless streak and close the gap against the 5th place Spokane Chiefs (37-24-2-0, 76pts), in a pair of back to back home games Friday and Saturday.

Pregame show at 6:40 on The Zone @ 91.3 fm or online at www.thezone.fm/listen

With 10 games left in the season, the Royals are 7 points back of the Chiefs and 8 back of the 4th place Americans.  If the current standings hold, the Royals would face the Blazers, the team that knocked them out in 4 straight last season.

It’s the final two meetings of the season, with Victoria 1-1 in Spokane, most recently defeating Spokane 5-3 on February 10th.  Jamie Crooks scored twice, and Austin Carroll collected 3 points as the Royals outshot the Chiefs 28-20.  Victoria fell by a 5-3 score at Spokane back in October.

The club has only been swept once in back to backs on home ice this season.

Victoria is coming off 5-4 loss to Lethbridge on Wednesday, going 0-3 on their current 5 game home stand.  After a pair of losses to the Rockets, the Royals outshot the Hurricanes 48-29, got 2 goals on the power play and 3 points from Logan Nelson & Brett Cote, but fell short.

Spokane in riding a 3 game win streak after a 4-1 win Wednesday in Everett.  Chiefs leading scorer, defenseman Brenden Kichton had two goals while forward Todd Fiddler added his 40th of the season.  Kichton (72), Fiddler (71) and forward Mitch Holmberg (70) are separted by a single point each as the top 3 in team scoring.

Spokane also shutout Kamloops 2-0 and knocked of Edmonton 6-4 in a mini two game home stand.  17 year old netminder Garret Hughson was been between the pipes for the three wins.

The Royals are 11 over .500 on home ice this season (19-8-1-2), while the Chiefs are 1 over on the road (16-15-1-0).

With one more win, the team can tie the franchise record for most wins in a season, held by the Chilliwack Bruins (33-31-4-4, 74pts) in ’10-11.

With 10 games left Victoria faces Spokane twice this weekend, the on the road in Kamloops and Kelowna, a home and home with Vancouver, a pair of home dates with Portland before wrapping up regular season with a home and home against Everett.

Royals Injuries
#17 Alex Gogolev, F, lower body, 5 - 7 days
#28 Luke Harrison, F, upper body, indefinite
#16 Trent Lofthouse, F, upper body, 1 - 3 weeks
#20 Logan Fisher, F, upper body

Spokane Injuries:
#2 Jason Fram, D, lower body, day to day
#7 Tyler King, D, upper body, day to day
#5 Tanner Mort, D, upper body, indefinite

Previous Meetings This Season

Victoria 5 @ Spokane 3 (Feb 10 2013) Final Victoria 3 @ Spokane 5 (Oct 5 2012) Final

How the 2 teams match up

	Spokane	Victoria
Team Record	37-24-2-0 -- 76 points	32-25-1-4 -- 69 points
Division Ranking	3rd U.S.	3rd B.C.
Conference Ranking	5th Western	6th Western
League Ranking	8th	11th
Past 10 Games	6-4-0-0	3-6-0-1
Streak	3-0-0-0	0-6-0-1
Last Game	4-1 W @ Everett (Feb 27 2013) Final	5-4 L vs Lethbridge (Feb 27 2013) Final
Home Record	21-9-1-0	19-8-1-2
Away Record	16-15-1-0	13-17-0-2
GF	232	198
GA	203	216
PP (Overall)	(47/241) 19.5	(66/301) 21.9
PP (Home)	(26/131) 19.8	(32/142) 22.5
PP (Away)	(21/110) 19.1	(34/159) 21.4
PK (Overall)	(48/248) 80.6	(61/283) 78.4
PK (Home)	(24/112) 78.6	(26/124) 79.0
PK (Away)	(24/136) 82.4	(35/159) 78.0
Leading Rookie	Helewka (9-16-25)	Hicketts (2-18-20)
Most PIM	Proft - 173	Kanzig - 144
Team PIM/GM	14.1/Game	19.3/Game
Leading Scorers	Kichton (20-52-72)	Gogolev (20-45-65)
	Fiddler (40-31-71)	Magee (28-27-55)
	Holmberg (35-35-70)	Crooks (31-17-48)
	Aviani (28-33-61)	Walker (17-26-43)
	Walchuk (18-34-52)	Hodges (25-16-41)
Last 5 Games	4-1 W @ Everett (Feb 27 2013) Final	5-4 L vs Lethbridge (Feb 27 2013) Final
	2-0 W vs Kamloops (Feb 23 2013) Final	7-2 L vs Kelowna (Feb 23 2013) Final
	6-4 W vs Edmonton (Feb 22 2013) Final	8-3 L vs Kelowna (Feb 22 2013) Final
	8-3 L @ Portland (Feb 18 2013) Final	5-2 L @ Edmonton (Feb 17 2013) Final
	6-0 L @ Tri-City (Feb 16 2013) Final	3-1 L @ Calgary (Feb 16 2013) Final
Leading After 1st	20-3-0-0	16-5-0-1
Leading After 2nd	29-2-2-0	20-0-0-2
Tied After 1st	13-6-2-0	11-5-1-2
Tied After 2nd	6-3-0-0	2-1-1-1
Trailing After 1st	4-15-0-0	5-15-0-1
Trailing After 2nd	2-19-0-0	10-24-0-1
Out Shooting Opponents	24-11-1-0	12-7-0-2
Out Shot by Opponents	11-10-1-0	18-18-1-2
1-Goal Games	9-7-2-0	14-3-1-4
2-Goal Games	9-6-0-0	8-4-0-0
3-Goal Games	13-5-0-0	5-9-0-0

Recap: Lethbridge 5 - Victoria 4

Ty Rimmer stopped 44, including this one off of Ben Walker in a 5-4 Hurricanes win

Photo Credit: Jon Howe & Victoria Royals

Ty Rimmer made 44 saves to back stop the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes to a 5-4 victory over the Victoria Royals Wednesday night.

“I thought we generated a lot of opportunities and scored four goals, got 48 shots, gave ourselves and opportunity to win – tonight we were on the wrong end of it.” – Dave Lowry Royals Head Coach

The victory snapped the Hurricanes winless in 6 drought, but extended the Royals slide to 7 games (0-6-0-1).  Lethbridge remains 5 back of 8th place Kootenay.

Victoria overcame an early 3-0 deficit and pulled even in the second, before Lethbridge added another pair, the later short handed.  The Royals brought the game to within one with the goaltender pulled and hit the post in the dying seconds but fell short.

Coleman Vollrath stops Jamien Yakuboswki in tight.

“We just need to get back to a full 60 minute hockey game, every guy needs to bring his own personal game and what he does best and hopefully we can start it off on Friday.” – Tim Traber Royals Forward

Victoria forward Logan Fisher was helped off on a stretcher in the 2nd period after taking a hit against the boards by Graham Hood.  There was no penalty on the play.

After the game Royals Assistant Coach Ben Cooper shed some light on Fisher’s condition,

“He’s a wake and alert and walking around and he’s talking, he just can’t remember the hit.”

Tim Traber crashes the net.

Logan Nelson had two goals and an assist for the Royals, Brett Cote with 3 helpers and Jamie Crooks a goal and an assist.  Jordan Fransoo rounded out the scoring for the home team. 

Lethbridge had not scored in their previous 6 periods heading in, and were lead by Jamal Watson’s pair, as four Canes had two point nights.

“For sure (Rimmer) was the difference, when you put 48 shots up in the game you expect to win the game with 2 power play goals as well…he played well for them.”  Royals Forward Logan Nelson

Patrik Polivka’s night ended early, just 7:11 into the first after allowing 3 goals on 8 shots, Coleman Vollrath stopped 19 of 21.  Ty Rimmer the league leader in minutes and saves stopped 44 pucks as the Royals heavily outshot the ‘Canes 48-29.

Victoria’s power play went 2 for 8, while Lethbridge was 1 for 3.

Brandon Fushimi on Rimmer's doorstep.

“They capatalized on their chances early on and we didn’t on ours…and the difference is we took a penalty after the whistle and they made us pay for it.” Lowry said.

With 10 games left, the Royals find themselves 7 points back of the Chiefs and will wrap up their 5 game home stand (0-3) with a pair against Spokane Friday and Saturday.

-Marlon Martens

Lethbridge Hurricanes 5 at Victoria Royals 4 - Status: Final
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Lethbridge 3 1 1 - 5
Victoria 2 1 1 - 4

1st Period-
1, Lethbridge, Watson 15 (Duke, Leverton), 5:16.
2, Lethbridge, Yakubowski 32 (Ramsay, Maxwell), 5:34.
3, Lethbridge, Mckechnie 25 (Hood, Ramsay), 7:11 (PP).
4, Victoria, Nelson 9 (Walker, Stahl), 7:48.
5, Victoria, Nelson 10 (Cote, Crooks), 19:27 (PP).

Penalties-Derko Let (major-fighting), 5:05; Kanzig Vic (major-fighting), 5:05; Dixon Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 6:28; Hood Let (roughing), 10:42; Kanzig Vic (checking from behind), 13:29; Hackman Let (delay of game), 18:11; Ramsay Let (slashing), 19:03.

2nd Period-
6, Victoria, Fransoo 6 (Cote), 9:32 (PP).
7, Lethbridge, Henry 4   15:25.

Penalties-Pilon Let (hooking), 7:52; Dixon Vic (kneeing), 11:12; Mckechnie Let (tripping), 17:59; Ramsay Let (tripping), 19:23.

3rd Period-
8, Lethbridge, Watson 16 (Maxwell, Henry), 7:19 (SH).
9, Victoria, Crooks 31 (Nelson, Cote), 19:33.

Penalties-Sofillas Let (high sticking), 3:23; Sofillas Let (slashing), 5:45.

Shots on Goal-
Lethbridge 14-8-7-29.
Victoria 21-15-12-48.

Power Play Opportunities-
Lethbridge 1 / 3;
Victoria 2 / 8.

Goalies-
Lethbridge, Rimmer 23-25-2-7 (48 shots-44 saves).
 Victoria, Polivka 28-14-1-3 (8 shots-5 saves); Vollrath 2-9-0-1 (21 shots-19 saves).

A-4,231
Referees-Ryan Benbow (62), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).

Preview: Lethbridge at Victoria (Feb 27)

The Victoria Royals (32-24-1-4, 69 points) look to snap a winless in 6 stretch as they entertain the Lethbridge Hurricanes (25-28-2-7, 59 points) Wednesday.

Pregame show at 6:40 on The Zone @ 91.3 fm or online at www.thezone.fm/listen

It’s the second and final meeting of the season with Victoria dropping a 4-2 decision in Lethbridge November 7th.

The Hurricanes are also winless in 6, and as they kick off their 3 game BC Division road trip, playing next in Vancouver and Kelowna before returning home.

Lethbridge just wrapped up a 3 game homestand with a 2-0 loss at the Kootenay Ice Sunday, and fell by the same score two nights earlier to Red Deer.

Victoria opened a five game homestand with a pair of losses to Kelowna, 7-2 Saturday and 8-3 the night before.

The Royals are 6th in the West, 5 points back of the 5th place Chiefs who are playing Wednesday at the Silvertips.  Victoria has a game in hand on Spokane, and will entertain them for a pair of games Friday and Saturday.

Lethbridge is 9th in the Eastern Conference, 5 points back of 8th place Kootenay, both with 10 games remaining.  The Hurricanes are 6 games under .500 on the road this season (9-15-1-4), while the Royals boast a 12 over .500 record on home ice (19-7-1-2).

With one more win, the team can tie the franchise record for most wins in a season, held by the Chilliwack Bruins (33-31-4-4, 74pts) in ’10-11.

Netminder Ty Rimmer broke the Hurricanes’ franchise record for single season saves last week with 1,838.

Hurricanes Injuries
#4 Albin Blomqvist, D, upper body, indefinite
#26 Axel Blomqvist, F, lower body, day to day
#23 Graham Hood, F, upper body, day to day
#5 Dan Johnston, D, upper body, 2 - 4 weeks

Royals Injuries
#17 Alex Gogolev, F, lower body, 5 - 7 days
#28 Luke Harrison, F, upper body, indefinite
#16 Trent Lofthouse, F, upper body, 1 - 3 weeks
#7 Tyler Stahl, D, lower body, day to day

Previous Meetings This Season

Victoria 2 @ Lethbridge 4 (Nov 7 2012) Final

How the 2 teams match up

	Lethbridge	Victoria
Team Record	25-28-2-7 -- 59 points	32-24-1-4 -- 69 points
Division Ranking	6th Central	3rd B.C.
Conference Ranking	9th Eastern	6th Western
League Ranking	15th	11th
Past 10 Games	2-7-1-0	4-5-0-1
Streak	0-5-1-0	0-5-0-1
Last Game	2-0 L vs Kootenay (Feb 24 2013) Final	7-2 L vs Kelowna (Feb 23 2013) Final
Home Record	16-13-1-3	19-7-1-2
Away Record	9-15-1-4	13-17-0-2
GF	185	194
GA	204	211
PP (Overall)	(50/283) 17.7	(64/292) 21.9
PP (Home)	(31/168) 18.5	(30/134) 22.4
PP (Away)	(19/115) 16.5	(34/158) 21.5
PK (Overall)	(61/273) 77.7	(60/280) 78.6
PK (Home)	(30/136) 77.9	(25/121) 79.3
PK (Away)	(31/137) 77.4	(35/159) 78.0
Leading Rookie	Blomqvist (7-26-33)	Hicketts (2-18-20)
Most PIM	Yakubowski - 118	Carroll - 138
Team PIM/GM	17.4/Game	19.4/Game
Leading Scorers	Yakubowski (31-16-47)	Gogolev (20-45-65)
	Maxwell (19-27-46)	Magee (28-27-55)
	Mckechnie (24-16-40)	Crooks (30-16-46)
	Ramsay (11-23-34)	Walker (17-25-42)
	Johnston (8-26-34)	Hodges (25-16-41)
Last 5 Games	2-0 L vs Kootenay (Feb 24 2013) Final	7-2 L vs Kelowna (Feb 23 2013) Final
	2-0 L vs Red Deer (Feb 22 2013) Final	8-3 L vs Kelowna (Feb 22 2013) Final
	5-4 L vs Prince George (Feb 16 2013) Final	5-2 L @ Edmonton (Feb 17 2013) Final
	5-2 L @ Saskatoon (Feb 9 2013) Final	3-1 L @ Calgary (Feb 16 2013) Final
	2-1 L @ Prince Albert (Feb 8 2013) Final OT	2-1 L @ Red Deer (Feb 15 2013) Final SO
Leading After 1st	15-6-0-4	16-5-0-1
Leading After 2nd	17-1-0-2	20-0-0-2
Tied After 1st	1-7-1-3	11-5-1-2
Tied After 2nd	4-1-0-5	2-1-1-1
Trailing After 1st	9-15-1-0	5-14-0-1
Trailing After 2nd	4-26-2-0	10-23-0-1
Out Shooting Opponents	11-8-1-2	12-6-0-2
Out Shot by Opponents	13-20-1-5	18-18-1-2
1-Goal Games	6-8-2-7	14-2-1-4
2-Goal Games	8-6-0-0	8-4-0-0
3-Goal Games	6-8-0-0	5-9-0-0

Recap: Kelowna 7 - Victoria 2

Coleman Vollrath stops Colton Heffley in a 7-2 loss Saturday

By Marlon Martens, Photo Credits: Jon Howe & Victoria Royals

Cody Fowlie had two goals and an assist to lead the visiting Kelowna Rockets past the Victoria Royals 7-2 Saturday night, sweeping the two game set.

“Obviously we’re really disappointed, but let’s put it into perspective.  We’re playing one of the best teams in the country, we’re a work in progress…” - Dave Lowry, Royals Head Coach

Tyrell Goulbourne scores shorthanded.

It was the first time this season that the Royals were swept in a two game set on home ice, after falling to the Rockets 8-3 Friday.

“Biggest thing for us is we’ve lost 6 in a row, we have right the ship.  We have to find a solution here, and find a way to win a hockey game.”  said Lowry.

Victoria trailed 3-0 by the 5:31 mark of the first period sending Patrik Polivka to the bench, but cut the lead to 3-2 in the second and pulling even on the shot clock at 17 a piece.  Kelowna would pull away with 2 more that period, and another pair in the third outshooting their opposition 37-28 overall.

Cody Fowlie had 2 goals and an assist

The Rockets power play went 3 for 7 both nights, the Royals were 1 for 5 Saturday allowing one shorthanded goal.

Steven Hodges felt the club lacked discipline.

“Taking selfish penalties isn’t how we’re going win against any team.  We’re the most penalized team in the league and clearly it isn’t helping us…”


Lowry commented on the Rockets garnering 14 power play chances in the two game set,

“We want to play physical, we want to play fast, but we have to understand that we can’t cross the line…”

It was another physical affair with 96 minutes in penalties called and two fights.  Keegan Kanzig fought Colton Heffley in the first, and late in the third Logan Nelson would drop the mitts with Riley Stadel.

Jordon Cookie earned his 31st victory of the season, while Polivka stopped 3 of 6, and Coleman Vollrath in relief 27 of 31.

Jack Walker and Jordan Fransoo scored the goals for Victoria, while Kelowna had multi-point efforts from Tyrell Goulbourne (1g 2a) and Tyson Baillie (1g 1a). 

Jordan Fransoo wears the Tri Force Crested Jersey on Military Appreciation Night

“Definitely a very frustrating weekend for us.  We knew they were a team that was going to come in a play consistent for 6 periods, they did that, and we didn’t.  I think the scores reflect that…”  -Jordan Fransoo, Royals defenseman

They’ll meet once more in Kelowna March 6th to wrap up the 8 game season series, with the Rockets holding a 6 games to 1 advantage.

The 6th place Royals are now winless in 6 games. (0-5-0-1) after posting a 5 game win streak.  They fall 5 back of the Chiefs and 6 behind the Americans, both of whom won Saturday night.

The Rockets who are ranked 6th in the CHL, pull 5 points ahead of the Blazers for 2nd in the Conference.

Victoria continues their 6 game homestand against Lethbridge Wednesday and a pair against Spokane next Friday and Saturday.

Kelowna Rockets 7 at Victoria Royals 2 - Status: Final
Saturday, February 23, 2013 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Kelowna 3 2 2 - 7
Victoria 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Sissons 25 (Severson, Franko), 3:37 (PP).
2, Kelowna, Baillie 22 (Barnett, Chartier), 5:11 (PP).
3, Kelowna, Fowlie 16 (Goulbourne, Baillie), 5:31.
4, Victoria, Walker 5 (Fisher, Traber), 14:42.

Penalties-Cote Vic (delay of game), 2:00; Heffley Kel (major-fighting), 4:12; Kanzig Vic (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 4:12; Nelson Vic (roughing), 5:53.

2nd Period-
5, Victoria, Fransoo 5 (Hodges, Cote), 8:12 (PP).
6, Kelowna, Lees 10 (Bell, McKinlay), 10:35.
7, Kelowna, Fowlie 17 (Goulbourne), 17:29.

Penalties-Heffley Kel (tripping), 5:24; Severson Kel (roughing), 7:50.

3rd Period-
8, Kelowna, Goulbourne 9 (Fowlie), 13:12 (SH).
9, Kelowna, Johnston 5 (Bowey, Barnett), 16:51 (PP).

Penalties-Deacon Vic (high sticking), 2:46; Nelson Vic (interference), 5:51; Olsen Kel (high sticking), 7:55; Bowey Kel (holding), 12:14; Traber Vic (roughing, roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 15:18; Nyberg Kel (10-minute misconduct), 17:14; Walker Vic (10-minute misconduct), 17:14; Heffley Kel (roughing), 18:24; Stadel Kel (major-fighting), 18:36; Crunk Vic (10-minute misconduct), 18:36; Nelson Vic (major-fighting), 18:36; Carroll Vic (cross checking), 19:03.
Shots on Goal-
Kelowna 14-12-11-37.
Victoria 10-9-9-28.

Power Play Opportunities-
Kelowna 3 / 7;
Victoria 1 / 5.

Goalies-
Kelowna, Cooke 31-13-2-1 (28 shots-26 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 28-14-1-3 (6 shots-3 saves); Vollrath 2-8-0-1 (31 shots-27 saves).

A-6,751
Referees-Jeff Ingram (82), Brett Iverson (24).
Linesmen-Bevan Mills (98), Nathan Van Oosten (115).

Preview (Statistical): Kelowna at Victoria (Feb 23)

Previous Meetings This Season

Kelowna 8 @ Victoria 3 (Feb 22 2013) Final Victoria 1 @ Kelowna 6 (Jan 31 2013) Final Victoria 1 @ Kelowna 6 (Jan 9 2013) Final Victoria 2 @ Kelowna 4 (Jan 2 2013) Final Kelowna 2 @ Victoria 3 (Oct 13 2012) Final Kelowna 4 @ Victoria 1 (Oct 12 2012) Final

How the 2 teams match up

	Kelowna	Victoria
Team Record	43-15-3-1 -- 90 points	32-23-1-4 -- 69 points
Division Ranking	1st B.C.	3rd B.C.
Conference Ranking	2nd Western	6th Western
League Ranking	3rd	11th
Past 10 Games	5-5-0-0	5-4-0-1
Streak	1-0-0-0	0-4-0-1
Last Game	8-3 W @ Victoria (Feb 22 2013) Final	8-3 L vs Kelowna (Feb 22 2013) Final
Home Record	25-5-0-0	19-6-1-2
Away Record	18-10-3-1	13-17-0-2
GF	266	192
GA	159	204
PP (Overall)	(57/247) 23.1	(63/287) 22.0
PP (Home)	(30/114) 26.3	(29/129) 22.5
PP (Away)	(27/133) 20.3	(34/158) 21.5
PK (Overall)	(48/291) 83.5	(57/273) 79.1
PK (Home)	(13/128) 89.8	(22/114) 80.7
PK (Away)	(35/163) 78.5	(35/159) 78.0
Leading Rookie	Chartier (12-13-25)	Hicketts (2-18-20)
Most PIM	Goulbourne - 124	Carroll - 136
Team PIM/GM	15.8/Game	19.3/Game
Leading Scorers	Bell (34-49-83)	Gogolev (20-45-65)
	Franko (21-43-64)	Magee (28-27-55)
	Sissons (24-36-60)	Crooks (30-16-46)
	McKinlay (21-37-58)	Walker (17-25-42)
	Olsen (31-23-54)	Hodges (25-15-40)
Last 5 Games	8-3 W @ Victoria (Feb 22 2013) Final	8-3 L vs Kelowna (Feb 22 2013) Final
	3-1 L vs Kamloops (Feb 16 2013) Final	5-2 L @ Edmonton (Feb 17 2013) Final
	4-2 L @ Kamloops (Feb 15 2013) Final	3-1 L @ Calgary (Feb 16 2013) Final
	4-1 W vs Everett (Feb 14 2013) Final	2-1 L @ Red Deer (Feb 15 2013) Final SO
	3-2 W @ Everett (Feb 10 2013) Final	5-1 L @ Kootenay (Feb 13 2013) Final
Leading After 1st	32-3-1-0	16-5-0-1
Leading After 2nd	38-4-2-0	20-0-0-2
Tied After 1st	8-4-2-0	11-5-1-2
Tied After 2nd	2-1-0-0	2-1-1-1
Trailing After 1st	3-8-0-1	5-13-0-1
Trailing After 2nd	3-10-1-1	10-22-0-1
Out Shooting Opponents	32-5-1-1	12-6-0-2
Out Shot by Opponents	10-10-2-0	18-17-1-2
1-Goal Games	7-5-3-1	14-2-1-4
2-Goal Games	11-6-0-0	8-4-0-0
3-Goal Games	7-1-0-0	5-9-0-0

Recap: Kelowna 8 - Victoria 3

Jamie Crooks scored his 30th in an 8-3 loss to the Rockets Friday

By Marlon Martens, Photo Credit to Jon Howe and the Victoria Royals

Myles Bell had 4 points to lead to the visiting Kelowna Rockets past the Victoria Royals 8-3 Friday night in the first of back to back games.

Tied at 1-1 after 20 minutes, the Rockets took control with a 5 goal second period and a 6-1 lead after 40.

JT Barnett earned his 13th against Patrik Polivka

“We played against a very good hockey team, we have to remember that.  We’ve had a tough time with them this year.  I thought in the first period we did some of the things we wanted to according to our plan, then simple mistakes and the game basically got away from us.” - Enio Sacilotto, Royals Assistant Coach

The Royals who held the Rockets to just 4 shots against in the first, and none for the first 9 minutes of the game were outshot in the middle frame 19-5 and 34-25 overall as Jordon Cooke earned his 30th victory of the season.  Patrik Polivka allowed 6 goals on 23 shots after 40 minutes, while Coleman Vollrath allowed 2 on 11 in the third.

“It just seemed they had an extra step or two on us, and it’s unnacceptable for our team.  They’re coming off the road, with days travelled so we’ve got to come back tomorrow, ready to work.” – Joe Hicketts, Royals defenseman

14 different Kelowna players had points, Bell with 2 goals and 2 assists led the way.  Madison Bowey, Dylan McKinley, and Cody Fowlie had a goal and an assist each.  Rourke Chartier was 2nd star with 2 assists.

For Victoria, Ben Walker (17th), Jamie Crooks (30th) and Austin Carroll (14th) each had a goal and an assist to cut the lead to 6-3 in the third before running into penalty trouble.

“The only positive is, we get see these guys tomorrow and we get a shot at redemption within 24 hours.” – Dave Lowry, Royals Head Coach

Ben Walker (1g 1a), and Colton Sissons

A total of 174 penalty minutes were called, 100 to Victoria, with 2 fights in the game.  Joe Hicketts against Colten Martin in the 2nd period and Tim Traber defeating Colton Heffley in the 3rd.

The Rockets 2nd best power play proved lethal striking 3 times on 7 opportunities, as the Royals went 1 for 4.

It was the most goals Victoria has given up in a game all season, snapping their streak of 12 consecutive games with a  point on home ice.  It was the 4th consecutive loss to Kelowna, with the 8 game season series record now at (1-5).

The 6th place Royals are now winless in 5 games. (0-4-0-1) after posting a 5 game win streak.  They fall 3 back of the Chiefs and 4 behind the Americans, both of whom won Friday night.

The Rockets who are ranked 6th in the CHL, snapped their 2 game losing streak and remain 3 points ahead of the Blazers for 2nd in the Conference.

Victoria continues their 6 game homestand with a rematch against Kelowna Saturday, then Lethbridge Wednesday and a pair against Spokane next Friday and Saturday.

-Marlon Martens

Kelowna Rockets 8 at Victoria Royals 3 - Status: Final
Friday, February 22, 2013 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Kelowna 1 5 2 - 8
Victoria 1 0 2 - 3

1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Baillie 21 (Chartier), 12:20.
2, Victoria, Walker 17 (Magee, Crunk), 12:31.

Penalties-Lees Kel (delay of game), 5:10; Bell Kel (boarding), 15:43; Walker Vic (hooking), 17:57.

2nd Period-
3, Kelowna, Bowey 10 (Fowlie, Goulbourne), 3:42.
4, Kelowna, McKinlay 21 (Bell, Sissons), 13:39.
5, Kelowna, Barnett 13 (Bell), 15:33 (PP).
6, Kelowna, Olsen 31 (Franko, Martin), 16:48.
7, Kelowna, Bell 33 (Bowey, Chartier), 18:51.

Penalties-Johnston Kel (roughing), 14:41; Carroll Vic (checking to the head, roughing), 14:41; Goulbourne Kel (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 16:04; Kanzig Vic (roughing), 16:04; Martin Kel (major-fighting), 16:48; Olsen Kel (10-minute misconduct), 16:48; Severson Kel (10-minute misconduct), 16:48; Fransoo Vic (10-minute misconduct), 16:48; Hicketts Vic (major-fighting), 16:48; Hodges Vic (10-minute misconduct), 16:48; Magee Vic (slashing, 10-minute misconduct), 16:48.

3rd Period-
8, Victoria, Crooks 30 (Walker, Carroll), 2:59.
9, Victoria, Carroll 14 (Nelson, Crooks), 7:43 (PP).
10, Kelowna, Bell 34 (Severson), 9:42 (PP).
11, Kelowna, Fowlie 15 (McKinlay, Lees), 18:39 (PP).

Penalties-Dixon Vic (10-minute misconduct), 1:33; Heffley Kel (major-fighting, game misconduct), 1:43; Traber Vic (major-fighting, game misconduct), 1:43; Lees Kel (closing hand on puck), 5:07; Sissons Kel (holding), 6:12; Carroll Vic (inter. on goaltender), 8:26; Dixon Vic (closing hand on puck), 14:04; Dixon Vic (checking to the head), 16:13; Baillie Kel (10-minute misconduct), 18:27; Bowey Kel (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 18:27; Dixon Vic (checking from behind, game misconduct), 18:27; Kanzig Vic (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 18:27.

Shots on Goal-
Kelowna 4-19-11-34.
Victoria 7-5-13-25.

Power Play Opportunities-
Kelowna 3 / 7;
Victoria 1 / 4.

Goalies-
Kelowna, Cooke 30-13-2-1 (25 shots-22 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 28-13-1-3 (23 shots-17 saves); Vollrath 2-8-0-1 (11 shots-9 saves).

A-5,517
Referees-Jeff Ingram (82), Brett Iverson (24).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Ryan Gibbons (73).

Preview: Kelowna at Victoria (Feb 22)

The Victoria Royals open a 6 game home stand by entertaining the Kelowna Rockets for a pair Friday and Saturday.

Pregame show at 6:40 PST on The Zone @ 91.3 fm or online at www.thezone.fm/whl

The Royals have a (1-4) record against the Rockets so far, winning by a 3-2 score on the Island October 13th.  Most recently falling in Kelowna by a 6-1 score January 31st.  After these two games they’ll meet one final time in the interior on March 6th.

Victoria returns to home ice after a 6 game road trip (2-3-0-1) picking up 5 points with a pair of wins against Tri City and Spokane, falling at Kootenay, picking up a point in a shoot out loss in Red Deer and falling against Calgary and Edmonton.

The Royals are now winless in 4 games. (0-3-0-1) after posting a 5 game win streak.  Victoria has points in 12 straight games on home ice, a franchise high.  The club is 14 games over .500 at the SOFMC this season (19-5-1-2).

With one more win, the team can tie the franchise record for most wins in a season, held by the Chilliwack Bruins (33-31-4-4, 74pts) in ’10-11.

The 6th place Royals are just 1 back of Spokane for 5th, and 2 back of Tri City for 4th in the West.  With a Cougars loss last Sunday, the Royals officially clinched a spot in the 2013 WHL Playoffs.

Kelowna is 2nd in the West, now only 3 points up on Kamloops who defeated the Rockets twice last weekend, 3-1 in Kelowna Saturday and 4-2 on the road the night before.

The Rockets who are ranked 6th in the CHL, have just 2 wins in their last 7 games after points in 19 consecutive, 17 of those victories. 

Kelowna owns the 2nd best power play, while scoring the 2nd most goals for in the WHL.  They’ve allowed the 3rd fewest shots against while giving up the 3rd fewest goals overall on average per game.

After the pair against Kelowna, Lethbridge visits Wednesday before a two game set next weekend versus Spokane.

Victoria Injuries:
#17 Alex Gogolev, F, lower body, 7 - 10 days
#28 Luke Harrison, F, upper body, indefinite
#16 Trent Lofthouse, F, upper body, 3 - 4 weeks
#33 Patrik Polivka, G, lower body, 3 - 5 days
#7 Tyler Stahl, D, lower body, 1 - 2 weeks

Returns
#23 Kolton Dixon, D, from injury
#19 Logan Nelson, F, from injury

Kelowna Injuries:
#20 Austin Glover, F, illness, day-to-day
#11 Carter Rigby, F, upper and lower body, indefinite
#6 Mitchell Wheaton, D, upper body, indefinite

Previous Meetings This Season

Victoria 1 @ Kelowna 6 (Jan 31 2013) Final Victoria 1 @ Kelowna 6 (Jan 9 2013) Final Victoria 2 @ Kelowna 4 (Jan 2 2013) Final Kelowna 2 @ Victoria 3 (Oct 13 2012) Final Kelowna 4 @ Victoria 1 (Oct 12 2012) Final

How the 2 teams match up

	Kelowna	Victoria
Team Record	42-15-3-1 -- 88 points	32-22-1-4 -- 69 points
Division Ranking	1st B.C.	3rd B.C.
Conference Ranking	2nd Western	6th Western
League Ranking	3rd	11th
Past 10 Games	5-5-0-0	5-4-0-1
Streak	0-2-0-0	0-3-0-1
Last Game	3-1 L vs Kamloops (Feb 16 2013) Final	5-2 L @ Edmonton (Feb 17 2013) Final
Home Record	25-5-0-0	19-5-1-2
Away Record	17-10-3-1	13-17-0-2
GF	258	189
GA	156	196
PP (Overall)	(54/240) 22.5	(62/283) 21.9
PP (Home)	(30/114) 26.3	(28/125) 22.4
PP (Away)	(24/126) 19.0	(34/158) 21.5
PK (Overall)	(47/287) 83.6	(54/266) 79.7
PK (Home)	(13/128) 89.8	(19/107) 82.2
PK (Away)	(34/159) 78.6	(35/159) 78.0
Leading Rookie	Chartier (12-11-23)	Hicketts (2-18-20)
Most PIM	Goulbourne - 122	Carroll - 130
Team PIM/GM	15.7/Game	19.1/Game
Leading Scorers	Bell (32-47-79)	Gogolev (20-45-65)
	Franko (21-42-63)	Magee (28-26-54)
	Sissons (24-35-59)	Crooks (29-15-44)
	McKinlay (20-36-56)	Hodges (25-15-40)
	Olsen (30-23-53)	Walker (16-24-40)
Last 5 Games	3-1 L vs Kamloops (Feb 16 2013) Final	5-2 L @ Edmonton (Feb 17 2013) Final
	4-2 L @ Kamloops (Feb 15 2013) Final	3-1 L @ Calgary (Feb 16 2013) Final
	4-1 W vs Everett (Feb 14 2013) Final	2-1 L @ Red Deer (Feb 15 2013) Final SO
	3-2 W @ Everett (Feb 10 2013) Final	5-1 L @ Kootenay (Feb 13 2013) Final
	5-1 L vs Portland (Feb 9 2013) Final	5-3 W @ Spokane (Feb 10 2013) Final
Leading After 1st	32-3-1-0	16-5-0-1
Leading After 2nd	37-4-2-0	20-0-0-2
Tied After 1st	7-4-2-0	11-4-1-2
Tied After 2nd	2-1-0-0	2-1-1-1
Trailing After 1st	3-8-0-1	5-13-0-1
Trailing After 2nd	3-10-1-1	10-21-0-1
Out Shooting Opponents	31-5-1-1	12-6-0-2
Out Shot by Opponents	10-10-2-0	18-16-1-2
1-Goal Games	7-5-3-1	14-2-1-4
2-Goal Games	11-6-0-0	8-4-0-0
3-Goal Games	7-1-0-0	5-9-0-0

Royals: Harlem Shake!!

Amazing Harlem Shake done by the WHL Victoria Royals!!

TWEET FROM:

Victoria Royals @victoriaroyals

Because it's never too late on island time... #HarlemShake youtu.be/2r3F_oZMZBc
 

Royals New Military Jerseys

Saturday night at the Royals - Rockets game, it's Canadian Forces Appreciation Night.

The Royals will wear NEW Military Jerseys in tributue to our troops. 

All personnel with military I-D get a ticket discount. 

Check out the Victoria Royals Facebook Page for more:
https://www.facebook.com/victoriaroyals?ref=ts&fref=ts

Tyler Stahl.  Image taken from Royals Facebook Page

Click the link below for a close up!
https://twitter.com/victoriaroyals/status/304047215469539329/photo/1

Best of the West Poll 2013

Who's the best skater? Fighter?  Which players owns the hardest shot?  Most accurate?

It's the Best of the West Poll, here:

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/02/17/2278933/best-of-the-west-2013.html

Annie Fowler of the Tri City Herald conducts the yearly poll done by the insiders — players, management and broadcasters from the 10 clubs in the Western Conference of the Western Hockey League.

Several Victoria Royals earned some solid votes, be sure to check it out!

Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/02/17/2278933/best-of-the-west-2013.html#storylink=cpy

Recap: Victoria 2 - Edmonton 5

Michael St.Croix had 3 points to lead the Edmonton Oil Kings past the visiting Victoria Royals 5-2 Sunday.

Vollrath makes a save

The Royals led 2-0 after 20 minutes, but the Oil Kings scored 3 in the 2nd, and a pair in the third, part of 5 unanswered to take the victory. 

“Last time we were in this building we had a lead after the first period and we talked about it in the room, to not let them back in it, and they did just that.” – Royals forward Jamie Crooks

Edmonton was coming off a 6 day break.  Victoria was playing 3 in 3, and wrapped up a 6 game in 10 night road trip with a (2-3-0-1) record, picking up 5 points along the way.

The line of Jamie Crooks (1g), Steven Hodges (1g 1a) and Brandon Magee (2a) combined for 5 points in the first period, but the home squad scored a pair :37 apart in the middle frame to take the lead and never looked back.

Vollrath stops Moroz

“We have to have our best players be our best players, and they knew it.  They were a lot better tonight and created chances early – they just couldn’t sustain it.” Ben Cooper Royals Assistant Coach

Michael Herringer

Coleman Vollrath stopped 32 for Victoria, and was relieved by Michael Herringer, a 9th round bantam pick who plays for the VIJHL Victoria Cougars stopping the lone shot he faced. 

Crooks thought Vollrath played well considering he doesn’t get many starts.

“Vollrath came in a he did all he could, and played very well and gave us a chance to win…”

Cooper on Herringer’s first WHL action,

“It gave Michael (Herringer) a taste of the WHL, and I’m sure it’ll make him more hungry to get back here…”

Crunk vs Lowe

Patrik Polivka was scratched with a lower body, day to day.  Laurent Brossoit earned his 27th win with 17 saves. 

It took just :10 seconds in the opening frame for Tim Traber to drop the mitts with Mitch Moroz, in the second Taylor Crunk bested Keegan Lowe in a rousing center ice tilt.

Victoria was 0/3 on the power play, while Edmonton was 1 for 5.

David Musil, Travis Ewanyk and Curtis Lazar rounded out the scoring for the Oil Kings who won by the same score in Edmonton Dec. 15th, and take the season series (2-0).

Lowe would need repairs

“They’re a team that if you give them time and space, they’re going to burn you, because they’ve got a lot of skill,”  said Crooks.

The Royals started off the 6 game trip with a pair of 5-3 victories over the Americans the Chiefs before falling 5-1 at Kootenay, picking up a point in a 2-1 shoot out loss at the Rebels, and a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Hitmen.

Victoria’s next home game is Friday, February 22nd when the Kelowna Rockets come for a pair.  The Saturday contest will feature the Royals wearing new Military Jersey’s in a tribute to our troops.  All personnel with military ID, get a ticket discount.

- by Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 2 at Edmonton Oil Kings 5 - Status: Final
Sunday, February 17, 2013 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB

Victoria 2 0 0 - 2
Edmonton 0 3 2 - 5

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Crooks 29 (Hodges, Magee), 7:09.
2, Victoria, Hodges 25 (Magee), 15:21.

Penalties-Traber Vic (major-fighting), 0:10; Moroz Edm (major-fighting), 0:10; Nelson Vic (boarding), 2:31; Crunk Vic (kneeing), 11:09; Samuelsson Edm (hooking), 11:53.

2nd Period-
3, Edmonton, Ewanyk 7 (Corbett, Legault), 8:49 (PP).
4, Edmonton, St. Croix 29 (Cheek, Corbett), 13:51.
5, Edmonton, Musil 8 (St. Croix, Foster), 14:28.

Penalties-Reinhart Edm (interference), 0:36; Stahl Vic (tripping), 6:51; Crunk Vic (slashing), 13:51; Reinhart Edm (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 13:51; Crunk Vic (major-fighting), 18:41; Lowe Edm (major-fighting), 18:41.

3rd Period-
6, Edmonton, Lazar 30 (Gernat, Kulda), 5:35.
7, Edmonton, St. Croix 30   6:38.

Penalties-Carroll Vic (high sticking), 2:13; Dixon Vic (interference), 14:02; Kanzig Vic (10-minute misconduct), 14:02; Legault Edm (hooking), 18:15.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 7-5-7-19.
Edmonton 12-19-7-38.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 3;
Edmonton 1 / 5.

Goalies-
Victoria,
Vollrath 2-8-0-1 (37 shots-32 saves);
Herringer 0-0-0-0 (1 shots-1 saves).

Edmonton,
Brossoit 27-7-2-3 (19 shots-17 saves).

A-8,910
Referees-Ian Croft (30), Brett Iverson (24).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Chris Carlson (92).

Recap: Victoria 1 - Calgary 3

Virtanen would hit the post on a breakaway in a 3-1 Hitmen win

Cody Sylvester scored twice on the power play to lead the Calgary Hitmen (38-17-1-3, 80pts) to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Victoria Royals (32-21-1-4, 69pts) Saturday night.

“We couldn’t score on the power play and offensively we were a bit flat, it wasn’t our night tonight…” Enio Sacilotto, Royals Assistant Coach

The Royals played game 5 of a 6 game road trip, in the middle of 3 in 3, and fall to 2-2-0-1 on the trek which wraps up in Edmonton Sunday afternoon at 3pm PST. 

Logan Nelson vs Victor Rask

Sacilotto felt the road may be starting to put a drain on the squad,

“Not to use excuses, but maybe the travel is a little tough on them, we’ve been away for 10 days now, maybe it’s catching up with them, maybe a little fatigue…”

Victoria out shot Calgary 32 – 25 but the Hitmen went 2 for 6 with the man advantage while the Royals 4th best power play scored once on eight opportunities.  Sacilotto felt it played a big role in the outcome,

“The deeper we get nto the season and into the playoffs, special teams become very important…with all those power play opportunities – yes, definitely special teams was the difference tonight for sure.”

The Hitmen held period leads of 1-0 and 2-0, before going up 3-0 in the third.  Steven Hodges 24th with the 2 man advantage made things interesting late in the third.  Brady Brassart rounded out the scoring for the home team.

Sacilotto also credited the Hitmen who came off 9 straight on the road,

“They’re an excellent hockey team and they came out really hard…we have a couple ex-Royals on their team in Jesse Zgraggen and Zane Jones and think they got their team charged up against us to play against us – it was a long night.”

In the second Keegan Kanzig won a spirited tilt against Jaynen Rissling, Kanzig talks about where the club fell short,

“We weren’t playing like it was playoff hockey, not with enough emotion and our execution wasn’t there.  We have to refocus and get ready for Edmonton…if we turn things around and play how we can, we can beat them.”

Coleman Vollrath and Michael Herringer

Chris Driedger earned his 29th win for Calgary, stopping 31 shots and earning 1st star honours.  Calgary native, Coleman Vollrath stopped 22 for Victoria, and was backed up by Michael Herringer, a 9th round bantam pick who plays for the VIJHL Victoria Cougars.  Patrik Polivka was scratched with a lower body, day to day.

The Hitmen take the season series 2 games to 1, with the home team earning their respective victories.

Victoria is now 6th in the West, tied in points with 5th place Tri City who have one more win.  Both are 1 back of Spokane after Saturday’s games.

The Royals’ next home game is Friday, February 22nd when the Kelowna Rockets come for a pair.  The Saturday contest will feature the Royals wearing new Military Jersey’s in a tribute to our troops.  All personnel with military ID, get a ticket discount.

- by Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 1 at Calgary Hitmen 3 - Status: Final
Saturday, February 16, 2013 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Victoria 0 0 1 - 1
Calgary 1 1 1 - 3

1st Period-
1, Calgary, Sylvester 32 (Macek, Rask), 14:59 (PP).

Penalties-Clayton Cal (checking to the head), 2:56; Rissling Cal (elbowing), 10:05; Walker Vic (hooking), 13:39; Hicketts Vic (checking from behind), 14:49; Virtanen Cal (holding), 16:52.

2nd Period-
2, Calgary, Brassart 24 (Chase), 10:24.

Penalties-Kanzig Vic (slashing), 1:23; Kanzig Vic (major-fighting), 7:27; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 7:27; Zgraggen Cal (tripping), 11:36; Gagnon Vic (inter. on goaltender), 15:38.

3rd Period-
3, Calgary, Sylvester 33 (Jones, Helgesen), 9:59 (PP).
4, Victoria, Hodges 24 (Magee, Crooks), 17:25 (PP).

Penalties-Chase Cal (holding), 0:57; Deacon Vic (tripping), 4:33; Fisher Vic (checking from behind), 8:33; Brassart Cal (high sticking, high sticking), 14:32; Humphries Cal (delay of game), 16:44.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 9-10-13-32.
Calgary 9-10-6-25.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 8;
Calgary 2 / 6.

Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 2-7-0-1 (25 shots-22 saves).
Calgary, Driedger 29-13-1-2 (32 shots-31 saves).
A-11,362

Referees-Patrick Gagnon (71), Fraser Lawrence (10).
Linesmen-Darren Spurgeon (61), Ian Shaver (74).

Preview: Victoria at Calgary (Feb 16)

The Victoria Royals (32-20-1-4, 69pts) visit the Calgary Hitmen (37-17-1-3, 78pts) Saturday night, playing their second of 3 in 3 nights.

Pregame show at 5:40, with puck drop at 6:00 PST on The Zone @ 91.3 fm in Victoria, or online at www.thezone.fm/whl

It’s the third meeting of the season, with both clubs winning their respective games on home ice.  On November 9th, defenseman Alex Roach scored two power play goals to lead the Hitmen to a 5-2 victory .   

On October 18th in Victoria, Alex Gogolev scored twice against his former club as Victoria defeated Calgary Hitmen 3-1.  Zane Jones had the lone tally also against his former club.

The Royals fell 2-1 in a shoot out to the host Rebels Friday night and are now 2-1-0-1 on their 6 game road trip.  They won in Tri City and Spokane to kick off the trip, but after a loss at Kootenay are winless in 2.

The Hitmen who received honourable mentions in the CHL Top 10 this week, are coming off a 4-3 loss at the Chiefs Wednesday, wrapping up 9 consecutive on the road with a 5-4 record.  The loss snapped a 4 game win streak.

Calgary sits 3rd in the Eastern Conference, 9 points back of Edmonton for top spot.  Victoria is now 5th in the West, 1 back of Spokane, and 2 up on Tri City.

- Marlon Martens

Previous Meetings This Season

Victoria 2 @ Calgary 5 (Nov 9 2012) Final Calgary 1 @ Victoria 3 (Oct 18 2012) Final

How the 2 teams match up

	Calgary	Victoria
Team Record	37-17-1-3 -- 78 points	32-20-1-4 -- 69 points
Division Ranking	2nd Central	3rd B.C.
Conference Ranking	3rd Eastern	5th Western
League Ranking	6th	8th
Past 10 Games	6-4-0-0	5-3-0-2
Streak	0-1-0-0	0-1-0-1
Last Game	4-3 L @ Spokane (Feb 13 2013) Final	2-1 L @ Red Deer (Feb 15 2013) Final SO
Home Record	16-8-1-2	19-5-1-2
Away Record	21-9-0-1	13-15-0-2
GF	205	186
GA	158	188
PP (Overall)	(44/235) 18.7	(61/272) 22.4
PP (Home)	(26/132) 19.7	(28/125) 22.4
PP (Away)	(18/103) 17.5	(33/147) 22.4
PK (Overall)	(55/299) 81.6	(51/255) 80.0
PK (Home)	(32/147) 78.2	(19/107) 82.2
PK (Away)	(23/152) 84.9	(32/148) 78.4
Leading Rookie	Padakin (16-13-29)	Hicketts (2-18-20)
Most PIM	Rissling - 111	Carroll - 128
Team PIM/GM	19.2/Game	19.1/Game
Leading Scorers	Sylvester (31-37-68)	Gogolev (20-45-65)
	Macek (27-39-66)	Magee (28-23-51)
	Brassart (23-34-57)	Crooks (28-14-42)
	Roach (14-29-43)	Walker (16-24-40)
	Chase (14-26-40)	Hodges (23-14-37)
Last 5 Games	4-3 L @ Spokane (Feb 13 2013) Final	2-1 L @ Red Deer (Feb 15 2013) Final SO
	6-2 W @ Tri-City (Feb 12 2013) Final	5-1 L @ Kootenay (Feb 13 2013) Final
	4-3 W @ Seattle (Feb 9 2013) Final OT	5-3 W @ Spokane (Feb 10 2013) Final
	5-1 W @ Everett (Feb 8 2013) Final	5-3 W @ Tri-City (Feb 8 2013) Final
	4-3 W @ Portland (Feb 6 2013) Final	4-1 W vs Seattle (Feb 6 2013) Final
Leading After 1st	22-4-1-1	16-4-0-1
Leading After 2nd	28-0-1-1	20-0-0-2
Tied After 1st	9-4-0-0	11-4-1-2
Tied After 2nd	7-3-0-2	2-1-1-1
Trailing After 1st	6-9-0-2	5-12-0-1
Trailing After 2nd	2-14-0-0	10-19-0-1
Out Shooting Opponents	25-6-1-2	12-5-0-2
Out Shot by Opponents	12-11-0-1	18-15-1-2
1-Goal Games	13-5-1-3	14-2-1-4
2-Goal Games	6-4-0-0	8-3-0-0
3-Goal Games	7-3-0-0	5-8-0-0

Recap: Victoria 1 - Red Deer 2 (Shoot Out)

Rebels celebrate a 2-1 shoot out victory in Red Deer Friday

Rhyse Dieno scored the lone shoot out goal to give the Red Deer Rebels a 2-1 victory over the visiting Victoria Royals (32-20-1-4, 69pts) Friday night.

Polivka stops Volek in the shoot out.

“I thought we put forth a 60 minute effort…besides that penalty at the end there, I thought we played a complete game.  I thought we deserved to win, it’s tough but at least we came away with one point.” – Mitch Deacon, Royals Forward

It was a netminders duel, as both hail from the Czech Republic, and stole the show.  Patrik Polivka made 37 saves through 65 minutes, while Patrik Bartosak made 44, and all 3 Victoria skaters in the shoot out.

“I thought both goaltenders were outstanding, Polivka especially in the first period really gave us a chance to win…it was a good goaltending battle – especially in a 1-1 game.”Enio Sacilotto, Royals Assistant Coach

Red Deer takes both season meetings at home, both by shoot out scores.

Tim Traber scores his 4th.

After a scoreless 40 minutes, Tim Traber would give the Royals the lead, but while serving a double minor, Matthew Dumba tied the game to force overtime, which solved nothing.

Logan Nelson returned after a 22 game absence and was stopped in the shoot out, as were Brandon Magee and Steven Hodges.  Dominik Volek was denied by Polivka.

The Royals went 0/4 on the power play, while the penalty kill stopped 6/7.

Dumba scores.

Sacilotto also felt the club put forth an effort worthy of the full 2 points.

“I definitely thought we deserved to win…we competed hard, it was a playoff type game and atmosphere…We definitely deserved a better outcome than what we got…It was good preparation for us down the stretch here with the remaining games and our playoff run.”

With the Chiefs and Americans winning, the Royals slip to 5th in the West, one back of Spokane and 2 ahead of Tri City.

Victoria is now 2-2 on their 6 game road trip, and will play in Calgary Saturday, and finish the trek in Edmonton Sunday afternoon.

- Marlon Martens

Logan Nelson made his return from injury.  He was stopped in the shoot out by Bartosak.

Victoria Royals 1 at Red Deer Rebels 2 (SO) - Status: End of Game SO
Friday, February 15, 2013 - Enmax Centrium - Red Deer, AB

Victoria 0 0 1 0 - 1
Red Deer 0 0 1 0 - 2

1st Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Fransoo Vic (tripping), 3:40; Hamilton R.d (interference), 12:05; Thiel R.d (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 15:21.

2nd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Fleury R.d (hooking), 7:14; Dumba R.d (delay of game), 14:23; Carroll Vic (slashing), 16:08; Stahl Vic (boarding), 18:04.

3rd Period-
1, Victoria, Traber 4 (Fushimi, Fransoo), 4:28.
2, Red Deer, Dumba 13 (Dieno, Volek), 17:29 (PP).

Penalties-Crunk Vic (slashing), 0:27; Traber Vic (hooking, unsportsmanlike cnd.), 13:41.

OT Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Hodges Vic (boarding), 0:26.

Shootout –
Victoria 0 (Nelson NG, Magee NG, Hodges NG),
Red Deer 1 (Dieno G, Volek NG).

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 11-20-10-4-0-45.
Red Deer 12-9-13-4-1-39.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 4; Red Deer 1 / 7.

Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 28-12-1-2 (38 shots-37 saves).
Red Deer, Bartosak 24-12-4-0 (45 shots-44 saves).

A-6,639
Referees-Ian Croft (30), Matt Kirk (4).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Aidan Henderson (78).