Recap GAME 6: Kamloops 6 - Victoria 2

The Kamloops Blazers eliminated the Victoria Royals from the post season with a 6-2 victory, winning the series 4 games to 2 Monday night at Bear Mountain.

“Going into the series we were the underdog," Said Enio Sacilotto, Assistant Coach of the Royals, "I don’t think anybody expected us to even win a game – so I thought we made a series out of it.”

Tim Traber and Dylan Willick shake hands

Kale Kessy had 3 goals

“I think all our players, coaching staff and management can hold their heads high – there is a bright future ahead for the hockey team.” Sacilotto continued.


Kale Kessey had a hat trick, while the Blazers power play went 3 for 6 and the club outshot the Royals 43-18.

“I thought for the most part our guys played with an enourmous amount of discipline…we lost to a better team.” – Dave Lowry, Head Coach

Logan Nelson reaches for a puck

After Kamloops took a 2-0 lead after the first period, Victoria twice came within one goal of tying, but a pair by the Blazers 1:17 apart late in the middle frame gave them a 5-2 lead heading into the third, where Kessey scored his third.

In his final contest, Royals forward Jamie Crooks played his 300th career game, and joins Tyler Stahl and Alex Gogolev as graduating players.

“I couldn’t ask for more from the organization, it’s a great city to finish up my career – it was a lot of fun.”  Crooks said, as he lead the club in goals over the past two season with 37 and 33 respectively.

Ben Walker would score for Victoria

“It’s opportunities now for other guys to step up, and they’re going to have to find somebody else to carry the torch.”  Lowry said.

Kamloops also had 3 point nights from JC Lipon (1g 2a), Joel Edmundson (3a) and Brendan Ranford (3a).  Cole Ully (1g 1a) and Colin Smith (2a) had two point nights, while North Saanich product Sam Grist rounded out the scoring.

Keegan Kanzig scored his 1st WHL Goal

B Walker celebrates

Victoria’s power play went 2 for 4 on goals by Ben Walker and Keegan Kanzig, his first WHL career goal.

Lowry on the standing ovation from the sell out crowd at Bear Mountain, “This is a great city to play in…we don’t take it for granted and our guys appreciate the support.”

Tim Bozon missed his third in a row for Kamloops.

Victoria was without Brandon Magee (Upper) for a third straight, Austin Carroll (Upper) his second in a row, D Tyler Stahl (Lower) out 14 in a row, Alex Gogolev (Lower, indefinite), F Luke Harrison (Upper, indifinite) and D Ryan Gagnon (Upper).

Lowry on the youth of the club and what they take into next year,

“Take a look at our 16 and 17 year olds moving forward, they played key minutes and we’re going to be a young team again next year.  Our guys understand there is a certain way we’re going to play, and we’re going to continue to play the same way.”

Kanzig back checks Colin Smith

-mm

Kamloops Blazers 6 at Victoria Royals 2 - Status: Final
Monday, April 1, 2013 - Bear Mountain Arena - Victoria, BC

Kamloops 2 3 1 - 6
Victoria 0 2 0 - 2

1st Period-
1, Kamloops, Ully 1 (Edmundson, Lipon), 3:45.
2, Kamloops, Kessy 5 (Smith, Ranford), 17:09.

Penalties-Fushimi Vic (tripping), 15:00; Oakes Kam (roughing), 17:37; Kanzig Vic (roughing), 17:37.

2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Walker 3 (Fransoo), 7:08 (PP).
4, Kamloops, Kessy 6 (Edmundson, Smith), 13:28 (PP).
5, Victoria, Kanzig 1 (Fushimi, Hodges), 15:23 (PP).
6, Kamloops, Grist 1 (Ully, Needham), 17:30 (PP).
7, Kamloops, Lipon 4 (Ranford, Edmundson), 18:47.

Penalties-Souto Kam (boarding), 6:52; Walker Vic (tripping), 12:18; Grist Kam (hooking), 14:51; Dixon Vic (interference), 16:45.

3rd Period-
8, Kamloops, Kessy 7 (Ranford, Lipon), 8:50 (PP).

Penalties-Ully Kam (tripping), 0:25; Hicketts Vic (roughing), 6:55; Fransoo Vic (checking from behind), 11:12; Traber Vic (elbowing), 14:59; Souto Kam (tripping), 18:14.

Shots on Goal-
Kamloops 14-15-14-43.
Victoria 9-7-2-18.

Power Play Opportunities-
Kamloops 3 / 6; Victoria 2 / 4.

Goalies-
Kamloops, Cheveldave 4-2-0-0 (18 shots-16 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 2-3-1-0 (43 shots-37 saves).

A-2,541
Referees-Reagan Vetter (39), Nathan Wieler (18).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Bevan Mills (98).