Recap GAME 3: Kamloops 1 - Victoria 2

Tim Traber scored the game winning goal.

Patrik Polivka made 39 saves to backstop the Victoria Royals to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Kamloops Blazers Tuesday night bringing the series to 2-1.

Polivka made 39 saves for his first post season win

“We can say we even got a little bit lucky tonight, but the important thing is for us is to start believing in each other and we’ll roll the dice again Thursday night.” –Enio Sacilotto, Royals Assistant Coach

In front of 2,395 at Bear Mountain Arena, Tim Traber scored the eventual game winner just :50 into the third to break a 1-1 tie.

Royals supporters

“I thought the atmsophere was electric.” Said Sacilotto on the near capacity crowd.  "I think all the sight lines are really good, being close to the action.  People can really see how fast these guys play and how fast the game is."

It was the clubs first post season win since relocating to the Island.

“It feels great, the firt victory for us here in Victoria, especially against this Kamloops team.”  Sacilotto said.


There was a near brawl at the end of the game with many misconducts and roughing minors handed out with 0.4 seconds left on the clock.  114 minutes in penalties were called in total.

Things got heated at the end...

"It was an intense series, things get heated at times it was exciting for the fans." according to Logan Fisher, Royals Forward, "We have a good chance, we're just going to keep pushing and playing our game."

Cole Cheveldave makes a save on Austin Carroll

Ben Walker openend the scoring in the first, with JC Lipon tying the game in the second on the power play.

With an assist on Walker’s goal, Jamie Crooks becomes the franchise leader in post season points with 13 (8g, 5a) in 18 games.

Victoria was 0 for 7 on the power play, while shutting down 5 of 6 Kamloops chances including a 5 on 3 for 1:35 in the third period.

More rough stuff with 0.4 seconds left

"...aside from giving up a power play goal, our penalty killing overall was really good on the night, it did a great job."  Sacilotto said.

Netminder Cole Cheveldave allowed 2 goals on 28 shots.  The Blazers outshot the Royals 17-7 in the second, and 40-28 overall.  Victoria did outshoot Kamloops 13-11 in the final frame.

Sacilotto felt Patrik Polivka was instrumental,

“Unbelievable, made some great stops…”

Forward Trent Lofthouse returned to the line up from injury after missing the last 25 games, only playing once in his last 30.



The Royals scratches included Tyler Stahl, Alex Gogolev, Kolton Dixon, Brandon Fushimi, Luke Harrison and Ryan Gagnon.

The Royals will look to even the series Thursday night. 

Series Schedule:

Friday, March 22nd Victoria 2 @ Kamloops 3
Saturday, March 23rd Victoria 4 @ Kamloops 6
Tuesday, March 26th Kamloops 1 @ Victoria 2 (Bear Mountain Arena)
Thursday, March 28th Kamloops @ Victoria (Bear Mountain Arena) 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 30th Victoria @ Kamloops 7:00 p.m.
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 Game 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.

Battle for the puck

Logan Nelson with a rising shot, stopped by Cheveldave

The Royals win 2-1

Kamloops Blazers 1 at Victoria Royals 2 - Status: Final
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - Bear Mountain Arena - Victoria, BC

Kamloops 0 1 0 - 1
Victoria 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Walker 1 (Nelson, Crooks), 18:23.

Penalties-Fransoo Vic (tripping), 5:56; Grist Kam (high sticking), 15:15.

2nd Period-
2, Kamloops, Lipon 3 (Smith, Ranford), 12:52 (PP).

Penalties-Smith Kam (hooking), 1:18; Kanzig Vic (delay of game), 8:33; Cote Vic (tripping), 10:55; Souto Kam (holding opp. stick), 13:02.

3rd Period-
3, Victoria, Traber 1 (Schacher, Crunk), 0:50.

Penalties-Ully Kam (interference), 2:29; Nelson Vic (interference), 4:46; Walker Vic (holding), 4:46; Bozon Kam (inter. on goaltender), 6:21; served by Soy Vic (too many men), 7:07; Souto Kam (hooking), 9:15; Bozon Kam (10-minute misconduct), 19:59; Edmundson Kam (10-minute misconduct), 19:59; Kessy Kam (roughing, roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 19:59; Lipon Kam (slashing), 19:59; Ranford Kam (10-minute misconduct), 19:59; Cote Vic (roughing), 19:59; Crooks Vic (10-minute misconduct), 19:59; Fransoo Vic (10-minute misconduct), 19:59; Hodges Vic (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 19:59; Magee Vic (10-minute misconduct), 19:59.

Shots on Goal-
Kamloops 12-17-11-40.
Victoria 8-7-13-28.

Power Play Opportunities-
Kamloops 1 / 6;
Victoria 0 / 7.

Goalies-
Kamloops, Cheveldave 2-1-0-0 (28 shots-26 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 1-2-0-0 (40 shots-39 saves).

A-2,395
Referees-Chris Crich (20), Brett Montsion (54).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Nathan Van Oosten (115).