Pregame show at 6:40 on The Zone @ 91.3fm or online at www.thezone.fm
The Royals dropped 3-2 and 6-4 decisions against the Blazers Friday and Saturday, and will look for the clubs first playoff win since relocating to the Island.
Victoria almost completed a third period comeback Saturday, trailing 5-1 in third scoring three times to cut the lead to 5-4, but an empty net goal sealed it for Kamloops.
Royals forward Steven Hodges leads the team in goals with 2, and along with Austin Carroll (1g 1a), Jamie Crooks (1g 1a) and Brett Cote (2a) have 2 points each.
Saturday Victoria scratched Tyler Stahl (Lower, day to day), Trent Lofthouse (Upper, day to day) Alex Gogolev (Lower, indefinite), Kolton Dixon, Brandon Fushimi and Luke Harrison (Upper, indifinite).
Defenseman Ryan Gagnon fell awkawdly into the boards Saturday, left the game and did not return.
Jamie Crooks goal set the franchise mark for most playoff goals with 8 passing Ryan Howse, while playing in his franchise setting 17th post season game. He is now tied with Kevin Sundher for most playoff points.
Victoria’s power play has been more efficient than Kamloops in the two games combined, going (3/8) 37.5%, the Blazers (3/11) 27.3%.
Kamloops ranked 8th in the CHL, is lead by JC Lipon (2g 4a) with 6 points in the post season, defenseman Joel Edmundson (2g 3a) is next with 5 points. The Blazers have outscored the Royals 9-6 in the first two games. Kamloops was (20-13-1-2) on the road during the regular season.
Both Cole Cheveldave (GAA 3.00 / SAV% 0.875) and Patrik Polivka (GAA 4.07 / SAV% 0.875) have been in net for both games.
In game 1, the Royals had 88 games of playoff experience dressed, compared to 230 games for the Blazers.
With the Ford world men’s curling championship occupying the Save On Foods Memorial Centre, Games 3 and 4 on March 26 and 28 will be held at Bear Mountain Arena. The rink seats 2300 plus standing room, compared to 7,006 at the SOFMC.
Series Schedule:
Friday, March 22nd Victoria 2 @ Kamloops 3
Saturday, March 23rd Victoria 4 @ Kamloops 6
Tuesday, March 26th Kamloops @ Victoria (Bear Mountain Arena) 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 28th Kamloops @ Victoria (Bear Mountain Arena) 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 30th Victoria @ Kamloops 7:00 p.m. (if necessary)
Monday, April 1st Kamloops @ Victoria (Bear Mountain Arena) 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Wednesday, April 3rd Victoria @ Kamloops 7:00 p.m. (if necessary)
Here Comes the Blue! Tickets for Games 3 and 4, held at Bear Mountain Arena, are still available. With limited Round 1 seats available, Royals fans are encouraged to order tickets quickly by calling 250-220-7777, visiting www.selectyourtickets.com, or heading down to the Select Your Tickets box office.
| Previous Meetings This Season | Victoria 4 @ Kamloops 6 (Mar 23 2013) Final Victoria 2 @ Kamloops 3 (Mar 22 2013) Final |
How the 2 teams match up
Kamloops
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Victoria
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| Team Record | 2-0-0-0 -- 4 points | 0-2-0-0 -- 0 points |
| Division Ranking | 1st B.C. | 3rd B.C. |
| Conference Ranking | 1st Western | 8th Western |
| League Ranking | 2nd | 16th |
| Past 10 Games | 2-0-0-0 | 0-2-0-0 |
| Streak | 2-0-0-0 | 0-2-0-0 |
| Last Game | 6-4 W vs Victoria (Mar 23 2013) Final | 6-4 L @ Kamloops (Mar 23 2013) Final |
| Home Record | 2-0-0-0 | 0-0-0-0 |
| Away Record | 0-0-0-0 | 0-2-0-0 |
| GF | 9 | 6 |
| GA | 6 | 9 |
| PP (Overall) | (3/11) 27.3 | (3/8) 37.5 |
| PP (Home) | (3/11) 27.3 | (0/0) |
| PP (Away) | (0/0) | (3/8) 37.5 |
| PK (Overall) | (3/8) 62.5 | (3/11) 72.7 |
| PK (Home) | (3/8) 62.5 | (0/0) |
| PK (Away) | (0/0) | (3/11) 72.7 |
| Leading Rookie | Chyzowski (0-0-0) | Soy (1-0-1) |
| Most PIM | Hansen - 4 | Deacon - 4 |
| Team PIM/GM | 9.0/Game | 12.0/Game |
| Leading Scorers | Lipon (2-4-6) | Hodges (2-0-2) |
| Edmundson (2-3-5) | Carroll (1-1-2) | |
| Ranford (1-3-4) | Crooks (1-1-2) | |
| Smith (0-3-3) | Cote (0-2-2) | |
| Bozon (2-0-2) | Magee (1-0-1) | |
| Last 5 Games | 6-4 W vs Victoria (Mar 23 2013) Final | 6-4 L @ Kamloops (Mar 23 2013) Final |
| 3-2 W vs Victoria (Mar 22 2013) Final | 3-2 L @ Kamloops (Mar 22 2013) Final |
