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).