Recap: Intra-Squad Game

Intra-Squad Game Action

15 year old Matthew Campese had a goal and assist, including the winner as Team White defeated Team Blue 3-2 Wednesday night at the Victoria Royals Intra Squad game, closing out main camp.

Matthew Campese (1g 1a)

“There are a lot of positives, I like the play of our young guys…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry following the contest, about the camp in general.

“We’ve got some guys that are a year older, a year wiser and overall some guys have played extremely well.”

The Royals trimmed their roster down after the game and will look to take about 25 players to Everett to play 3 exhibition games this weekend, starting Friday.

“We’ve got some guys that have earned an opportunity to stay around and play and there’ll be some other tough decisions we’ll have to make.”

Defenseman Brett Cote also had a goal and an assist for Team Blue as they saw their 1-0 first period lead disappear with 3 unanswered second period goals by Team White. 

Trent Loftouse (1g)

15 year old Brayden Dunn (4th rd ’13) one timed a pass from Cote past Vollrath in the first period for Team Blue, while Kolton Dixon, Trent Lofthouse and Campese replied for Team White in the middle frame.  Cote had the lone third period tally.

Campese a 3rd round draft pick in 2012 (late birthday), had the goal of the game, as he broke in alone and deked netminder Markus Daly.

“Not going to lie, I was kind of nervous coming in.  As the game went along I felt better and it was nice to score that goal." said Campese who worked hard all summer, putting on some muscle in the process with a roster spot in mind.

“It would mean a lot…to play at this level would be a huge honour.”

He’s among several 16 year olds looking to crack the line up along with Tyler Soy (1a), Chaz Reddekopp (did not play) and Regan Nagy.

“Those are guys you focus in on, but you also want to see other guys come in and challenge and surprise.” said Lowry

The four netminders who dressed split playing time.  Coleman Vollrath (20/21) and Colorado’s Evan Smith (16/17) who’s 6’6 at just 16 years of age played for Team White.  Team Blue went with Markus Daly (15/17) of the South Island Royals and 15 year old Griffen Outhouse (21/22) from Williams Lake, who clearly impressed.

“…he was good…” said Lowry on the undrafted Outhouse.

“You want to see them (Daly, Smith, Outhouse) go out, and see how they perform - especially on a stage like tonight.”

Team White outshot Team Blue 39-38 after being out shot 15-11 in the first. Team White went 0/1 on powerplay, while Team Blue went 0/3.

38 players dressed, but 9 did not including forwards Logan Nelson, Ben Walker, Steven Hodges, and Brandon Magee.  Defenseman Jordan Fransoo, Joe Hicketts and Chaz Reddekopp, plus netminders Patrik Polivka and Michael Herringer all did not play.

Victoria’s first 3 exhibition games are in Everett where they face the Silvertips this Friday August 30th at 7pm, the Seattle Thunderbirds at 3pm Saturday, and the Tri City Americans Sunday at 11:30 am.

The Royals have one home exhibition date on Saturday Sept 14th at 1:35 vs Vancouver at the SOFMC.

They conclude the 5 game pre-season the following afternoon in Ladner vs the same Giants at 2 pm.

Opening weekend for Victoria is on the road in Vancouver Friday Sept. 20th, and the home opener the following night against the same Giants.

Catch all the regular season Play by Play action on The Zone @ 91.3 FM

-Marlon Martens

Intra Squad Game Summary
August 28, 2013
SOFMC

Goals:
1st
Blue, Dunn (Cote, Gaume) 9:22

2nd
White, Dixon (Jones, Campese) :15
White, Lofthouse (Baker, Soy) 12:06
White, Campese (unassisted) 15:08

3rd
Blue, Cote (Marshall, Dykstra) 1:30

Shots:

Blue (38) 15-7-16
White (39) 11-17-11

Goaltenders:

Blue
Outhouse 21 for 22,
Daly 15 for 17

White
Vollrath 20 for 21
Smith 16 for 17