Tonight the Royals (1-2) look to avenge last nights 6-2 loss at the hands of the visiting Spokane Chiefs (2-0) in the back half of a two game set.
The Chiefs held period leads of 3-1 and 4-2 before adding a pair in third for their 2nd win of the season. The Royals dropped their 2nd straight at home and will look to get back into the win column before heading out on the road for 4 straight.
Mitch Holmberg had 2 goals and an assist, Mike Aviani and Jason Fram both chipped in with a pair of helpers. Victoria got goals from Logan Nelson and Brandon Fushimi.
Spokane outshot Victoria 17-7 in the third, and 42-36 overall.
The Chiefs power play went 2 for 4, now 4 for 9 in their first two games. The Royals went 1 for 5 notching their first man advantage goal in three games.
Patrik Polivka got the start for Victoria going 19 for 23, and split the duties with Coleman Vollrath who kicked out 17 of 19. 20 year old Eric Williams made 34 saves for his 2nd win of the season for Spokane.
The Royals were without some key contributors in defenseman Joe Hicketts (Upper, day to day), 19 year old forwards Brandon Magee (Upper, 7-10 days) and Steven Hodges (lower 4-5 weeks) and big defenseman Keegan Kanzig (Flames Camp).
Seeing action for the first time this season were 16 year olds defenseman Chaz Reddekopp (13th overall), and forward Regan Nagy (27th overall). Both had played as 15 year olds last season.
Victoria had 21 wins at the at the Save on Foods Memorial Centre last season, and just 11 regulation losses as they look for their first home ice win.
The Royals wrap up their 3 game home stand against the Chiefs tonight before heading out on the road for 4 games against the BC Dvision rivals, Kelowna, Prince George for a pair and Kamloops.
It’s the rematch tonight with 6:45 pregame show on The Zone @ 91.3 fm
-Marlon Martens
Play By Play Voice of the Victoria Royals on The Zone @ 91.3 FM
