The Tips led 2-0 after 40 minutes on goals by Reid Petryk and Linden Penner, before Logan Nelson cut the lead in half in the third. The Royals pulled the netminder for an extra attacker but fell short.
“It think it was good. The first two periods we were getting our legs under us little bit, getting familiar with our teammates…we have to look at it as a learning experience…” said Nelson, the 5th round pick of the Buffalo Sabres.
“In the third period we started generating more, we started attacking and we actually starting working for some of our chances.” - Head Coach Dave Lowry.While the first half of the game could be attributed to the nerves of the some of the rookies playing their first WHL exhibition game, none seemed evident for 15 year old Matthew Phillips, aka ‘Bubba’. A definite bright spot in the game, generating opportunities and even several encounters with 1st round pick of the San Jose Sharks, 18yr old Mirco Mueller.
“We matched up a few times over battles for loose pucks…trying to get some rebounds I think I was bugging him a little bit - I was just working hard and we bumped into each other a few times.” said Phillips, the Royals 2013 2nd round bantam selection.
Phillips was put on the ice in the final minute down a goal with the netminder pulled looking for the equalizer.
“It was really special to be chosen by coach Lowry to be out in the last minute…I was just shaking before the puck dropped. I was trying to do all I could to get that puck in the net but unfortunately I couldn’t do it. It was a good learning experience.”Lowry liked the passion and effort of the younger players.
“I really like the play of our young guys, they came and competed and played hard.”
On the flip side, some of the older players may feel extra pressure from the up and coming Royals.
"One good thing about tonight is it’s a wake up call for some of the guys that played on our club last year, they’re going to have to be a lot better. I think some of the guys might have forgotten what the expectations are here and how you have to work. The best thing is you get 3 games in 3 days and a quick rememdy for some of these guys.”
Patrik Polivka and Coleman Vollrath split the duties for the Royals, with Polivka making a highlight reel save in the first stopping 17 of 19. Vollrath came in the game in the second period, stopping all 6 shots he faced.
Their counterpart, Austin Lotz kicked out 17 of 18 Victoria attempts.Both clubs went 1 for 5 on the power play.
The Royals played a physical game with noteable hits by Ryan Gagnon on Carson Stadynk, and Jordan Fransoo (wearing the ‘C’) on Brayden Low.
“I think it was just a product of the environment…it was a veteran laden team, it was home game for them, we knew they were going to come (at us), they have a new coach (Kevin Constantine) and they’re all playing for the same opportunity…” said Lowry on the Royals feistiness.
Nelson also laid out several big hits, none however as thunderous a check as he laid onto defenseman Kevin Davis.
“It’s part of my game I need to work on, playing fast and physical every night. That’s what I have to do, finish my checks and I got a good bounce in front of the net and put it home – I was glad with my finish.” said Nelson who’ll play for Buffalo at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament Sept 5-9th.
“I need to get stronger and little bigger and gain some weight, but they liked my heavy game and the way I can finish with the puck.” When asked what the Sabres liked, and wanted Nelson to improve on.
With 29 players on the roster, the Royals scratched: Lofthouse, Hodges, Welykholowa, Campese, Magee, Nagy, Hicketts, Reddekopp (lower), and Herringer (lower).
Earlier in the day, the club issued a press release noting the signing of a trio of players; Landon Welykholowa, Matt Dykstra and Jared Dmytriw.
Victoria faces Seattle at 3pm on Saturday, and Tri City Sunday at 11:30, with all games being held in Everett as part of their annual pre-season tournament.
By Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals 1 at Everett Silvertips 2 - Status: Final
Friday, August 30, 2013 - Comcast Arena - Everett, WA
Victoria 0 0 1 - 1
Everett 1 1 0 - 2
1st Period-
1, Everett, Petryk 1 (Leedahl), 13:05.
Penalties-Adam Evt (slashing), 7:43; Carroll Vic (interference), 8:05; Winquist Evt (checking from behind), 8:50.
2nd Period-
2, Everett, Penner 1 (Pufahl), 7:39 (PP).
Penalties-Pufahl Evt (tripping), 2:13; Crunk Vic (roughing), 7:30; Phillips Vic (hooking), 9:01; Dykstra Vic (tripping), 15:55.
3rd Period-
3, Victoria, Nelson 1 (Soy), 6:01 (PP).
Penalties-Lotz Evt (delay of game), 0:17; Adam Evt (hooking), 5:23; Dixon Vic (cross checking, major-fighting, game misconduct), 6:51; Low Evt (major-fighting, game misconduct), 6:51; Carroll Vic (roughing), 11:33; Adam Evt (slashing), 11:33; Walker Vic (roughing, major-fighting, game misconduct), 16:09; Penner Evt (major-fighting, game misconduct), 16:09.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 8-5-5-18.
Everett 12-7-6-25.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 5;
Everett 1 / 5.
Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 0-1-0-0 (19 shots-17 saves); Vollrath 0-0-0-0 (6 shots-6 saves).
Everett, Lotz 1-0-0-0 (18 shots-17 saves).
A-0
Referees-Ryan Benbow (62), Adam Griffiths (36).
Linesmen-Adam Brastad (132).
