Recap GAME 4: Kamloops 5 - Victoria 4 (Overtime)

Logan Nelson scores on the power play

Dylan Willick scored the game winning goal in overtime as the Kamloops Blazers take a 3-1 series lead with a 5-4 victory Thursday night in front of a sell out crowd at Bear Mountain.

“We had a lot of guys that competed real hard, we had an opportunity to win a game and we let one slip away.” – Dave Lowry, Head Coach

Ben Walker scores on a 5 on 3 Power Play

Kale Kessy had a hatrick as his line with Colin Smith and JC Lipon combined for 9 points.  Marek Hrbas had the only goal of the third, sending the game to overtime for the first time in the series.

“This one stings, everyone’s pretty down but we don’t have a lot of time to feel sorry for ourselves.  We have to hit the road, go into a tough building and win a game, that’s all that matters.” Ben Cooper, Royals Assistant Coach

Victoria never trailed until the final goal, holding leads of 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3 into the third period.

The Royals had a goal and assist performances from Logan Nelson, Ben Walker and Jamie Crooks.  Steven Hodges had 2 assists.

Patrik Polivka saw a lot of bodies come crashing through his crease.

“It is a rule that is supposed to be called, it is something that we’ve asked to be addressed.  If our goalie is going to continue to get bumped, we’ll take a page out their book and start bumping goalies, simple…If all they’re going to do is say is it’s ‘no goal’ because you touch a goalie - incidental contact, maybe we’ll start inititating.”  Lowry said.

Nelson celebrates

Jamie Crooks celebrates

Patrik Polivka earned 2nd star honours with 43 saves, while Cole Cheveldave stopped 20 of 24 including a 2 on 1 on Brandon Fushimi in the third, and Steven Hodges short handed breakaway in the 2nd.  Fushimi rounded out the scoring for Victoria.

“He stepped up big time, both games, gives us a chance to win…”  Cooper said on Polivka.

The Royals power play was 2 for 4, while stopping all 4 Blazer chances.

The Royals were without Brandon Magee (Upper), Tyler Stahl (Lower, day to day), Alex Gogolev (Lower, indefinite), Kolton Dixon, Luke Harrison (Upper, indifinite) and Ryan Gagnon (Upper).

Victoria looks to stay alive down 3-1 as the series shifts to Kamloops Saturday night.

Captain Dylan Willick the overtime hero...

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 5 @ Victoria 4 Overtime (Bear Mountain Arena)
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)
Kamloops Blazers 5 (OT) at Victoria Royals 4 - Status: Final OT
Thursday, March 28, 2013 - Bear Mountain Arena - Victoria, BC

Kamloops 1 2 1 1 - 5
Victoria 2 2 0 0 - 4

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Crooks 2 (Nelson, Walker), 4:01.
2, Victoria, Nelson 1 (Hodges, Hicketts), 10:38 (PP).
3, Kamloops, Kessy 2 (Lipon, Smith), 19:42.

Penalties-Thomson Kam (hooking), 10:09; Traber Vic (tripping), 11:56.

2nd Period-
4, Kamloops, Kessy 3 (Smith, Lipon), 1:22.
5, Victoria, Fushimi 1 (Soy, Lofthouse), 3:17.
6, Kamloops, Kessy 4 (Smith, Lipon), 7:16.
7, Victoria, Walker 2 (Crooks, Hodges), 9:03 (PP).

Penalties-Lipon Kam (embellishment), 3:45; Fisher Vic (tripping), 3:45; Grist Kam (high sticking), 7:29; Hansen Kam (high sticking), 8:02; Walker Vic (slashing), 12:22; Edmundson Kam (inter. on goaltender), 13:04; Crooks Vic (high sticking), 15:32; Nelson Vic (hooking), 19:58.

3rd Period-
8, Kamloops, Hrbas 1 (Needham), 15:42.

Penalties-No Penalties

OT Period-
9, Kamloops, Willick 2 (Needham, Grist), 17:47.

Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-
Kamloops 15-13-9-11-48.
Victoria 7-8-5-4-24.

Power Play Opportunities-
Kamloops 0 / 4;
Victoria 2 / 4.

Goalies-
Kamloops, Cheveldave 3-1-0-0 (24 shots-20 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 1-2-1-0 (48 shots-43 saves).

A-2,541
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Pat Smith (12).
Linesmen-Chris Sweeting (137), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).