Sunday 17 March 2013

Recap: Victoria 4 - Everett 3 (Overtime)

Joe Hicketts scored the overtime winner as the visiting Victoria Royals (35-30-2-5, 77pts) came from behind to upend the Everett Silvertips 4-3 Saturday, and roll into the post season riding a 2 game win streak.
The Royals celebrate the victory
Michael Herringer
 Victoria sweeps Everett in the two game home and home set after a 4-1 win on the Island the night before.

The Royals scored the final 3 goals of the game, after trailing 1-0 after 20 minutes, and 3-2 after 40. Netminder Michael Herringer earned his first win in his first WHL start, with 36 saves.

“It felt great.  It was a little nerve wraking for a little there, it didn’t start out so well but we battled hard and got the win.” – Michael Herringer, Royals Netminder

Herringer, a Royals 9th round bantam selection is 16 years old and plays for the Junior B Victoria Cougars.

“Fantastic, great start for him.  He made some miraculous saves, coming out of nowhere.  I thought he had a really strong performance…he’s got a bright future as a WHL netminder.” 
- Enio Sacilotto, Royals Assistant Coach

Logan Nelson who’s 3rd period goal sent the game to overtime, had a goal and assist.  Ben Walker chipped in with 2 helpers.  Steven Hodges and Jack Walker rounded out the scoring.

It’s the 11th come from behind victory this season, snapping a winless in 7 road slide.  It was the first win for the club in Everett since relocating to Victoria, taking the season series 3 games to 1.

Logan Nelson ties the game at 3 in the third to force overtime.
Victoria will face Kamloops next Friday on the road in the opening round of the playoffs while 8th place Everett will travel to Portland.

The Royals set franchise highs this season for wins with 35, and points totalling 75.

Victoria learned that leading scorer Alex Gogolev needs surgery to help repair a skate cut to his leg, and will likely miss the remainder of the season.  Gogolev has already missed 20 games. 

Carroll tries a shot
According GM Cam Hope,

“The doctors all put their heads together and decided (Gogolev) should have the surgical repair, so unless we go very deep (playoffs) all the way into May, he’ll be lost for the rest of the season.”

The Royals are still without their captain Tyler Stahl (Lower, day to day), Trent Lofthouse (Upper, day to day), Luke Harrison (Upper, indefinite), and G Patrik Polivka (Lower, 1-2 wks).

“We’ll hopefully have Patrik Polivka back, hopefully have Tyler Stahl back and Trent Lofthouse soon…”  Hope said.

The Victoria Royals take on the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1 of the 2013 WHL Playoffs. Tickets for Games 3 and 4, held at Bear Mountain Arena, are on sale now. 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.

Victoria Royals 4 (OT) at Everett Silvertips 3 - Status: Final OT
Saturday, March 16, 2013 - Comcast Arena - Everett, WA

Victoria 0 2 1 1 - 4
Everett 1 2 0 0 - 3

1st Period-
1, Everett, Hayer 15 (MacDonald, Zipp), 6:20.

Penalties-Hodges Vic (tripping), 14:50.

2nd Period-
2, Everett, Soumelidis 4 (Low, MacDonald), 3:55.
3, Victoria, Hodges 28 (Crunk), 6:44.
4, Everett, Low 2 (Soumelidis, Fonteyne), 7:15.
5, Victoria, Walker 9 (Soy, Traber), 8:13.

Penalties-Traber Vic (checking from behind), 8:36; Low Evt (too many men), 11:28; Kanzig Vic (roughing), 14:32.

The club celebrates
3rd Period-
6, Victoria, Nelson 14 (Walker, Kanzig), 17:37.

Penalties-Schacher Vic (boarding), 2:05; Oslanski Evt (cross checking), 6:19; Walker Vic (tripping), 9:45; Stadnyk Evt (hooking), 13:25.

OT Period-
7, Victoria, Hicketts 6 (Nelson, Walker), 1:57.

Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 7-14-14-3-38.
Everett 15-15-9-0-39.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 3;
Everett 0 / 5.

Goalies-
Victoria, Herringer 1-0-0-0 (39 shots-36 saves).
Everett, Lotz 15-19-3-1 (38 shots-34 saves).

A-7,322
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Tim Digby (75), Bevan Mills (98).