Recap: Vic 3 - Tri City 2

Trent Lofthouse scored twice including the winner as the Victoria Royals beat the Tri City Americans 3-2 Sunday at Everett’s Pre-Season Classic Tournament.

Royals celebrate the win.

“Thought our guys played pretty solid…they played hard, competed hard and as a group they did a lot of good things today.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

It was the clubs third game in 3 days, improving to 1-1-0-1 in the pre-season.  All contests were one goal games starting Friday with a 2-1 loss at Everett, followed by a 6-5 shoot out loss to Seattle Saturday.

“It gives us some confidence moving closer to the regular season…it’s gives us a little bit to build on…” said 20 year old forward Ben Walker, who hopes to get some good looks at the Traverse City Prospects tournament on an invite from the Minnesota Wild,

“A few practices will help getting the communication going, and learning everybody’s style - especially the new guys.”

The Royals went with netminder Patrik Polivka and outshot the Americans 34-23.  Victoria went 1 for 6 on the power play, while Tri City went 1 / 5.

Soy (2a) drives the net

Brian Williams scored both goals for the Americans, and rookie Ty Comrie a pair of helpers with his older brother Eric going the distance in net.

15yr old (late birthday) Matthew Campese scored his first exhibition goal in a Royals jersey, and also picked up an assist.

“I wanted to get the monkey off the back sooner or later, and to get it today was really nice…”  said a pumped up Campese, who’s pass deflected off a defender past Comrie,

“…not how I imaged it though.” he grinned, trying to improve his chances of making the club. 

“I hope so, taking nothing for granted…it would be a huge honour to keep playing with the team and I hope it comes to that.”

The other rookie with 2 points was 16yr old Tyler Soy who chipped in with a pair of helpers, now with 3 assists in 2 exhibition games.

“Tyler’s (Soy) a guy that when the puck’s on his stick he can make plays, and make things happen…” said Lowry

Trent Lofthouse playing in the rink where he played for a season and a half as a Silvertip, has scored 3 goals in his last two games.

“The puck was bouncing my, once I got the first one it just kept rolling…it was a good team effort for sure…” said the lanky 6’3 Lofthouse.

“He’s (Lofthouse) going to have to score, play and skate – and he did that tonight…” said Lowry.  “…he’s a guy that can shoot the puck well, he hit the holes and generated some chances.”

Victoria dressed 5 rookies in Regan Nagy (16yr), Matthew Campese (15yr – late), Landon Welykholowa (17yr), Matthew Dykstra (16yr), and Tyler Soy (16yr).

“It was good that we dressed a real young line up, as with that, comes the enthusiasm…”  said Lowry.

With 29 players on the roster, the Royals scratched: Jared Dmytriw and Matthew Phillips, Steven Hodges, Brandon Magee, Logan Nelson, Austin Carroll, Kolton Dixon, Chaz Reddekopp and Michael Herringer.

Both Dmytriw and Phillips won’t play as 15 year olds, bringing the total down to 27.

“We have an idea with a couple guys what we’ll be doing,” said Lowry when asked about trimming the roster, “…some guys are making it tough and they’re earning the opportunity to stay and play.”

Lofthouse (3g), Soy (3a) now lead the club in exhibition scoring for Victoria.

Up next, the Royals will face the Giants at the SOFMC for their only home pre-season date Saturday Sept. 14th at 1:35pm and wrap up the 5 game exhibition schedule the following day against Vancouver in Ladner at 2pm.

By Marlon Martens


Victoria Royals 3 at Tri-City Americans 2 - Status: Final
Sunday, September 1, 2013 - Comcast Arena - Everett, WA

Victoria 1 1 1 - 3
Tri-City 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period-
1, Tri-City, Williams 2 (Comrie), 0:17.
2, Victoria, Campese 1 (Soy, Cote), 16:13.

Penalties-Sauer T.c (hooking), 6:51; Dykstra Vic (hooking), 17:14.

2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Lofthouse 2   12:44 (PP).
4, Tri-City, Williams 3 (Topping, Comrie), 19:32 (PP).

Penalties-Cote Vic (delay of game), 0:57; Gagnon Vic (elbowing), 5:41; Southam T.c (tripping), 11:33; James T.c (holding), 13:16; Fushimi Vic (hooking), 18:38; Walker Vic (roughing), 19:14.

3rd Period-
5, Victoria, Lofthouse 3 (Soy, Campese), 5:15.

Penalties-Crunk Vic (roughing), 8:12; Hamonic T.c (roughing), 8:12; James T.c (too many men), 13:26; Topping T.c (boarding), 13:59; Carlo T.c (tripping), 15:13.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 11-6-17-34.
Tri-City 8-8-7-23.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 6; Tri-City 1 / 5.

Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 1-1-0-0 (23 shots-21 saves).
Tri-City, Comrie 0-1-0-0 (34 shots-31 saves).

A-0
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Andrew Wilk (80).
Linesmen-Jacob Hill (122).