Recap: Portland 5 - Victoria 2

Nic Petan misses a one timer, but went on to win 5-2

Chase De Leo scored three times to lead the visiting Portland Winterhawks (53-12-1-2, 109pts) to a 5-2 victory over the Victoria Royals (33-29-2-5, 73pts) Sunday infront of a sellout crowd.

The Royals who were playing 5 games in 6 nights, entertained the #2 ranked team in the CHL.

“I can’t fault the effort of my team, I thought for a team that travelled today, the third game, an early game – I thought our guys competed.” said Dave Lowry, Royals Head Coach, “We didn’t capatalize on our chances, and they’re an opportunistic team, they get a chance they usually capatalize and that was the case.”

Logan Nelson fires a shot past Brendan Burke

With the victory the Winterhawks claimed the Scotty Munro Trophy as regular season champions of the WHL and earn home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

Burke makes a huge glove save

Portland built up period leads of 1-0 and 3-0 before Logan Nelson and Joe Hicketts with a highlight reel goal brought Victoria twice to within 2 in the third.  De Leo scored his hat trick goal into an empty net. 

“Most of the time we stuck with the game plan, we can’t ask for more – we’re going through a real tough schedule right now.”  - Enio Sacilotto, Royals Assistant Coach

Taylor Leir had 4 assists on the night, and along with league rookie scoring leader, Oliver Bjorkstrand the trio combined for 9 points. 

#3 Seth Jones celebrates a goal

Top prospect defenseman Seth Jones had a goal and assist, now 5 points in his last 2 games.

Coleman Vollrath made 39 saves, while his counterpart Brendan Burke stopped 27.

Vollrath made an impressive stop on 44 goal man Ty Rattie when the game was 3-0 in the third.

Joe Hicketts second effort, earns him his 9th of the year

“He’s played pretty well for us lately, that’s why he got a start in Kelowna and earned one start after another…he’s playing with more confidence – it’s a good sign for our hockey team to have two good solid netminders you can rely on night after night.”  Sacilotto said.

The Royals were 0 for 1 on the power play, and held the ‘Hawks off the score sheet on their 2 chances.  There were no penalties called in the first and second period.

Mitch Deacon crashes the net

Jamie Crooks on the clubs improved discipline, “That’s what we’re trying to focus on, staying out of the box, especially against a team like Portland or even Kamloops like we’ll play in the playoffs they have a lot of skilled guys and their power play can burn you.”

Victoria is set to face Kamloops in the opening round of the playoffs, a chance to avenge last years sweep to the Blazers.

Single game tickets for the 2013 WHL Playoffs will go on sale this Monday, March 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the Select Your Tickets box office located at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, online at www.selectyourtickets.com or over the phone at 250-220-7777. Only tickets to the first two home games of the playoffs will be made available at this time.

Brandon Magee fires a shot

The Royals will have a chance to bounce back against the visiting Winterhawks Tuesday at 7, before a home and home with Everett Friday to close out the regular season.

“The effort was great tonight, hopefully we can build a little bit on that – come back Tuesday and give them a good run for their money.” quipped Sacilotto.

Portland Winterhawks 5 at Victoria Royals 2 - Status: Final
Sunday, March 10, 2013 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Portland 1 2 2 - 5
Victoria 0 0 2 - 2

1st Period-
1, Portland, Bjorkstrand 29 (Leier), 3:34.

Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period-
2, Portland, De Leo 15 (Leier), 9:48.
3, Portland, Jones 13 (Rattie, Leipsic), 13:08.

Penalties-Iverson Por (interference), 7:15; Deacon Vic (inter. on goaltender), 16:53; Fisher Vic (closing hand on puck), 18:53.

3rd Period-
4, Victoria, Nelson 13 (Walker, Cote), 7:47.
5, Portland, De Leo 16 (Leier, Jones), 10:54.
6, Victoria, Hicketts 3   18:39.
7, Portland, De Leo 17 (Bjorkstrand, Leier), 19:17 (EN).

Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-
Portland 16-17-11-44.
Victoria 9-7-13-29.

Power Play Opportunities-
Portland 0 / 2;
Victoria 0 / 1.

Goalies-
Portland, Burke 21-5-1-0 (29 shots-27 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 3-11-0-2 (43 shots-39 saves).

A-7,006
Referees-Adam Griffiths (36), Matt Kirk (4).
Linesmen-Nick Bilko (66), Tim Digby (75).