Preview: Victoria vs Red Deer, Friday Nov 1st

The Victoria Royals (9-7-0-1, 19pts) entertain the Red Deer Rebels (6-8-0-1, 13pts) for a two game set Friday and Saturday.

Pregame show on The Zone @ 6:45 both nights.

It’s the only two meetings of the season, as last year Red Deer took both games at the Centrium in shoot outs.

The Rebels wrapped up a 7 game home stand with only 3 points and are winless in 5 after a 4-3 shoot out loss to Kootenay Wednesday.

Patrik Bartosak started in net for Red Deer despite being listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury.  Bartosak is the reigning CHL goaltender of the year.

The Rebels kick off a six game road trip, with stops in Kamloops, Kelowna, Kootenay and Lethbridge.

After 5 days in between games, Victoria looks to get back in the win column after a 2-1 shoot out loss to the visiting Kelowna Rockets last Satruday.  They fell to the Rockets 4-1 the night before as they kicked off a 5 game homestand.  Jordon Cooke made 33 saves and Myles Bell scored the lone shoot out goal.

The Royals will be without defenseman Joe Hicketts indefinitely with an upper body injury, while forward Steven Hodges (3rd rd FLA '12) is expected to make his regular season debut, after recovering from minor lower body surgery.

16-year-old forward Regan Nagy has been re-assigned to the Moose Jaw Generals midget AAA squad.  Nagy appeared in 11 games with the Royals this season, registering one assist and finishing a minus-one. 

Red Deer is still without 19 year old defenseman Mathew Dumba, a 7th overall pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2012.  Dumba has played in his 9th game at the NHL level this season, meaning that the Wild can either send him back to the junior level for further development, or keep him in the NHL while burning a year off of his entry level contract.

Former Royal Kolton Dixon makes his return to the Island after being sent to Red Deer for a conditional draft pick on Sept 26th.

Victoria’s penalty kill is ranked 2nd overall, and has been perfect over their last 4 outings (10 for 10).  They Royals have allowed the 5th fewest shots against on average per game, while allowing the 4th fewest goals against.

The Rebels power play is 9th overall, but 2nd best on the road, where they sport a record of 3-3.

- Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals vs Red Deer Rebels: Head To Head Stats

Description	Result
Head to Head Record 2013-14 Regular Season	Victoria 0-0-0-0	Red Deer 0-0-0-0
Head to Head Record 2012-13 Regular Season	Victoria 0-0-0-2	Red Deer 2-0-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teams	Victoria 2-5-0-2	Red Deer 7-1-0-1
Victoria vs. Red Deer Last 5 Years record at Victoria	Victoria 2-3-0-0	Red Deer 3-1-0-1
Victoria vs. Red Deer Last 5 Years record at Red Deer	Victoria 0-2-0-2	Red Deer 4-0-0-0

How the 2 teams match up

	Red Deer	Victoria
Team Record	6-8-0-1 -- 13 points	9-7-0-1 -- 19 points
Division Ranking	5th Central	2nd B.C.
Conference Ranking	11th Eastern	6th Western
League Ranking	20th	9th
Past 10 Games	2-7-0-1	6-3-0-1
Streak	0-4-0-1	0-1-0-1
Last Game	4-3 L vs Kootenay (Oct 30 2013) Final SO	2-1 L vs Kelowna (Oct 26 2013) Final SO
Home Record	3-5-0-1	5-4-0-1
Away Record	3-3-0-0	4-3-0-0
GF	43	42
GA	49	44
PP (Overall)	(14/62) 22.6	(15/81) 18.5
PP (Home)	(7/36) 19.4	(10/46) 21.7
PP (Away)	(7/26) 26.9	(5/35) 14.3
PK (Overall)	(16/67) 76.1	(9/70) 87.1
PK (Home)	(7/37) 81.1	(8/49) 83.7
PK (Away)	(9/30) 70.0	(1/21) 95.2
Leading Rookie	Pawlenchuk (4-3-7)	Soy (2-2-4)
Most PIM	Dixon - 33	Carroll - 33
Team PIM/GM	15.5/Game	15.7/Game
Leading Scorers	Bleackley (8-11-19)	Nelson (8-11-19)
	Dieno (5-8-13)	Carroll (7-7-14)
	Bellerive (5-7-12)	Cote (2-8-10)
	Maxwell (3-6-9)	Magee (1-9-10)
	Fleury (2-7-9)	Fushimi (6-3-9)
Last 5 Games	4-3 L vs Kootenay (Oct 30 2013) Final SO	2-1 L vs Kelowna (Oct 26 2013) Final SO
	4-3 L vs Saskatoon (Oct 25 2013) Final	4-1 L vs Kelowna (Oct 25 2013) Final
	5-2 L vs Calgary (Oct 19 2013) Final	4-1 W @ Spokane (Oct 19 2013) Final
	4-0 L vs Edmonton (Oct 18 2013) Final	4-2 L @ Tri-City (Oct 18 2013) Final
	3-2 L vs Spokane (Oct 12 2013) Final	5-4 W vs Prince George (Oct 16 2013) Final
Leading After 1st	4-3-0-1	4-0-0-0
Leading After 2nd	4-1-0-1	6-0-0-0
Tied After 1st	1-2-0-0	4-1-0-0
Tied After 2nd	1-1-0-0	1-0-0-1
Trailing After 1st	1-3-0-0	1-6-0-1
Trailing After 2nd	1-6-0-0	2-7-0-0
Out Shooting Opponents	4-0-0-0	2-4-0-1
Out Shot by Opponents	2-7-0-1	4-3-0-0
1-Goal Games	1-3-0-1	5-2-0-1
2-Goal Games	3-1-0-0	1-2-0-0
3-Goal Games	2-3-0-0	2-1-0-0

Recap: KEL 2 - VIC 1 Shoot Out

Jordon Cooke made 33 saves and Myles Bell scored the lone shoot out goal to lift the visiting Kelowna Rockets (9-2-0-2, 20pts) past the Victoria Royals 2-1 Saturday night.

The victory gave the Rockets top spot in the BC Division with 20 points, one more than the Royals (9-7-0-1, 19pts) who suffer their first shoot out loss of the season.  Victoria was looking to avenge the 4-1 loss from the night before.

Kelowna takes 4 points from the weekend two game set, and a 2-1 season series lead.

Nick Merkley gave the Rockets a 1-0 first period lead, while Brett Cote scored a power play goal in the second to tie the game at 1.  There was no scoring in the third or overtime as the Royals outshot the oppostion 34-30.

In the shoot out, Cooke stopped all three Victoria forwards, Logan Nelson, and brothers Jack and Ben Walker, while Justin Kirkland and Zach Franko were denied by Coleman Vollrath, bookending Bells winning goal. 

Vollrath stopped 29 of 30 and falls to 1-2-0-1 on the season.  Cooke improves to 8-0-0-2.

Victoria’s power play struck once of 4 opportunites against the leagues best penalty killing, while Kelowna went 0 for 2.

Ben Walker and Brandon Magee had there 4 game point scoring streaks halted.

Royals 19 year old forward Steven Hodges, who has yet to play a regular season game this year due to minor surgery, was a late scratch and could make a return by next weekend when the club faces the Red Deer Rebels for a pair.

- Marlon Martens

Kelowna Rockets 2 (SO) at Victoria Royals 1 - Status: Final SO
Saturday, October 26, 2013 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Kelowna 1 0 0 0 - 2
Victoria 0 1 0 0 - 1

1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Merkley 6 (Schmidli, Olsen), 17:09.

Penalties-Baillie Kel (hooking), 9:03; Gagnon Vic (delay of game), 15:05; Cote Vic (delay of game), 19:10.

2nd Period-
2, Victoria, Cote 2 (Carroll, Nelson), 12:05 (PP).

Penalties-Gatenby Kel (interference), 6:04; Nyberg Kel (slashing), 8:04; Martin Kel (checking from behind), 10:49; Olsen Kel (roughing), 12:05; Fisher Vic (roughing), 12:05.

3rd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Goulbourne Kel (major-fighting), 9:35; Kohlhauser Vic (major-fighting), 9:35.

OT Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout –
Kelowna 1 (Kirkland NG, Bell G, Franko NG),
Victoria 0 (Nelson NG, Walker NG, Walker NG).

Shots on Goal-
Kelowna 9-11-8-2-1-31.
Victoria 8-19-7-0-0-34.

Power Play Opportunities-
Kelowna 0 / 2;
Victoria 1 / 4.

Goalies-
Kelowna, Cooke 8-0-0-2 (34 shots-33 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 2-1-0-1 (30 shots-29 saves).

A-4,541
Referees-Mark Pearce (5), Pat Smith (12).
Linesmen-Tim Digby (75), Bevan Mills (98).

Recap: KEL 4 - VIC 1

Tyrell Goulbourne had a goal and assist, and Jordon Cooke stopped 2 penalty shots to help lead the visiting Kelowna Rockets (8-2-0-2, 18 pts) past the Victoria Royals 4-1 Friday night.

The Rockets move into a tie for first in the BC Division with the Royals (9-7) with 18 points, however Kelowna has played 4 fewer games.

Victoria had their 5 game home winning streak snapped, as they opened up a 5 game home stand.  Kelowna improves to 3-1 on the road this season.

It was the first of a back to back two game set, with the Royals now looking to avenge the loss Saturday evening.

After Tyler Soy’s goal was disallowed, the Cole Linaker struck on the ensuing shift to opening the scoring in the first.  Goulbourne made it 2-0 before the first was out.  Myles Bell snapped a 4 game goal less drought to make it 3-0 in the middle frame, however Ben Walker converted on a 3 on 2 just 1:05 later to cut into the lead.  Zach Franko restored the 3 goal cushion with the lone marker in the 3rd.  Madison Bowey chipped in with a pair of assists.

Kelowna netminder Jordon Cooke stopped 28 shots including Logan Nelson and Luke Harrison on penalty shots in the 2nd and 3rd period respectively.  Patrik Polivka, who’s parents were in attendance from the Czech Republic stopped 33 of 37 Rocket shots.

The clubs are 1st (Kelowna) and 2nd (Victoria) in the league in penalty killing, and allowed neither a power play goal.  Victoria went 0 for 3, while Kelowna was stopped on all 5 of their chances.

Nelson had his 8 game point streak snapped, while Ben Walker extended his to 4 games (2g 4a).

The season series is tied at a game a piece as the Royals won 4-3 in a shoot out on the road September 28th.  Victoria will look for the weekend split Saturday night.

-Marlon Martens

Kelowna Rockets 4 at Victoria Royals 1 - Status: Final
Friday, October 25, 2013 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Kelowna 2 1 1 - 4
Victoria 0 1 0 - 1

1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Linaker 3 (Goulbourne, Bowey), 7:39.
2, Kelowna, Goulbourne 3 (Olsen, Wheaton), 10:29.

Penalties-Gagnon Vic (hooking), 5:06; Magee Vic (slashing), 11:36; Baillie Kel (hooking), 12:27.

2nd Period-
3, Kelowna, Bell 6   13:20.
4, Victoria, Walker 4 (Magee, Fushimi), 14:25.

Penalties-Nelson Vic (high sticking), 0:18; Kirkland Kel (high sticking), 6:31; Crunk Vic (tripping), 9:30.

3rd Period-
5, Kelowna, Franko 3 (Baillie, Bowey), 2:49.

Penalties-Bell Kel (interference), 12:22; Carroll Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 13:04.

Shots on Goal-
Kelowna 13-11-13-37.
Victoria 8-10-11-29.

Power Play Opportunities-
Kelowna 0 / 5;
Victoria 0 / 3.

Goalies-
Kelowna, Cooke 7-0-0-2 (29 shots-28 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 7-6-0-0 (37 shots-33 saves).

A-4,481
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Dexter Rasmussen (25).
Linesmen-Tim Digby (75), Bevan Mills (98).

Preview: Kelowna at Victoria, Friday Oct. 25th

The Victoria Royals (9-6, 18pts) open a 5 game homestand with a pair of back to back games against the Kelowna Rockets (7-2-0-2, 16pts) Friday and Saturday.

Pregame show on The Zone @ 91.3 fm at 6:45 both nights, online at www.thezone.fm

In their only previous meeting, the Royals won 4-3 in a shoot out on the road Sept 28th.  Trent Lofthouse was the games first star with a goal and an assist, while Brandon Fushimi and Landon Welykholowa (Well-uh-Call-uh-Wah) also scored overcoming a 3-1 third period deficit.  In the shoot out, Logan Nelson and brothers Jack and Ben Walker all scored.  Coleman Vollrath earned the win.

Top spot in the BC Division is on the line, as the Rockets are two points back with four games in hand of the Royals.

Victoria is coming off a 2 game US road swing, earning a split after a 4-2 loss at Tri City they knocked off Spokane 4-1. 

Coleman Vollrath made 41 saves against the Chiefs, in a game the Royals never trailed, getting goals from Tyler Soy, a Ben Walker power play marker, a breakaway strike from Brandon Fushimi and an empty netter from Logan Fisher.  Austin Carroll had 2 assists.

The Royals are riding a 5 game home win streak and look for their 3rd consecutive sweep of a two game set (Lethbridge & PG).

Kelowna wrapped up a 4 game homestand (2-1-0-1) with a 2-1 loss to Calgary on Tuesday, while outshooting the Hitmen 39-21.  Calgary was given honourable mention in the CHL Top 10 this week, while the Rockets who were ranked 9th last week were left off the list.

The Rockets got home wins against Prince George and Lethbridge, and a shoot out loss against Seattle.  Kelowna’s only played 3 road games with a 2-1 record thus far.  After the pair on the Island, they’ll play two in Prince George.

The Rockets penalty killing is 1st in the league (90.2%), but on the road ranked 19th.  Kelowna has scored the 2nd most goals on average per game (4.27) second only to Portland, while being the 4th stingiest team goals against wise (2.73). 

Victoria is the 3rd stingiest allowing only 2.53 goals against on average per game.  The Royals power play has scored in 8 straight games (11 for 40, 27.5%).  Their 2nd best penalty kill was tested just 3 times on the 2 game US road swing.

Logan Nelson is on an 8 games point streak (7g 6a).  Ben Walker has 5 points over his last 3 outings (1g 4a).

While Kelowna has no one in the leagues top 20 scoring, they boast 7 players that are scoring at a point per game or better.  Forward Nick Merkley is 4th in rookie scoring with 14 points in 11 games and was recenlty named the CHL Player of The Week.  Three Rockets are in the top 16 among defenseman in scoring, Riley Stadel, Madison Bowey, and Damon Severson.

Netminder Jordon Cooke has the 3rd best goals against (2.08) and save percentage (0.932) in the league.  The WHL has also nominated Cooke of for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week award.  Cooke, a 20-year-old from Leduc, AB, posted a 2-0 record with a shutout in two starts over the past week for Kelowna, allowing just two goals on 49 shots for a 1.00 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage in that span. 

-Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals vs Kelowna Rockets: Head To Head Stats
Summary

Description	Result
Head to Head Record 2013-14 Regular Season	Victoria 1-0-0-0	Kelowna 0-0-0-1
Head to Head Record 2012-13 Regular Season	Victoria 1-6-0-1	Kelowna 7-1-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teams	Victoria 13-17-1-2	Kelowna 20-8-2-3
Victoria vs. Kelowna Last 5 Years record at Victoria	Victoria 6-8-1-1	Kelowna 10-4-2-0
Victoria vs. Kelowna Last 5 Years record at Kelowna	Victoria 7-9-0-1	Kelowna 10-4-0-3
Previous Meetings This Season	Victoria 4 @ Kelowna 3 (Sep 28 2013) Final SO

How the 2 teams match up

	Kelowna	Victoria
Team Record	7-2-0-2 -- 16 points	9-6-0-0 -- 18 points
Division Ranking	2nd B.C.	1st B.C.
Conference Ranking	6th Western	2nd Western
League Ranking	8th	3rd
Past 10 Games	6-2-0-2	7-3-0-0
Streak	0-1-0-0	1-0-0-0
Last Game	2-1 L vs Calgary (Oct 22 2013) Final	4-1 W @ Spokane (Oct 19 2013) Final
Home Record	5-1-0-2	5-3-0-0
Away Record	2-1-0-0	4-3-0-0
GF	47	40
GA	30	38
PP (Overall)	(16/68) 23.5	(14/74) 18.9
PP (Home)	(12/52) 23.1	(9/39) 23.1
PP (Away)	(4/16) 25.0	(5/35) 14.3
PK (Overall)	(5/51) 90.2	(9/63) 85.7
PK (Home)	(2/40) 95.0	(8/42) 81.0
PK (Away)	(3/11) 72.7	(1/21) 95.2
Leading Rookie	Merkley (5-9-14)	Soy (2-2-4)
Most PIM	Bowey - 20	Carroll - 31
Team PIM/GM	15.5/Game	16.4/Game
Leading Scorers	Baillie (6-8-14)	Nelson (8-10-18)
	Merkley (5-9-14)	Carroll (7-6-13)
	Stadel (7-5-12)	Hicketts (4-5-9)
	Franko (2-10-12)	Magee (1-8-9)
	Bowey (4-7-11)	Cote (1-8-9)
Last 5 Games	2-1 L vs Calgary (Oct 22 2013) Final	4-1 W @ Spokane (Oct 19 2013) Final
	3-2 W vs Prince George (Oct 19 2013) Final	4-2 L @ Tri-City (Oct 18 2013) Final
	6-0 W vs Lethbridge (Oct 16 2013) Final	5-4 W vs Prince George (Oct 16 2013) Final
	4-3 L vs Seattle (Oct 11 2013) Final SO	3-0 W vs Prince George (Oct 14 2013) Final
	6-3 L @ Spokane (Oct 8 2013) Final	4-3 W vs Lethbridge (Oct 12 2013) Final
Leading After 1st	4-0-0-1	4-0-0-0
Leading After 2nd	7-0-0-2	6-0-0-0
Tied After 1st	2-0-0-1	4-1-0-0
Tied After 2nd	0-1-0-0	1-0-0-0
Trailing After 1st	1-2-0-0	1-5-0-0
Trailing After 2nd	0-1-0-0	2-6-0-0
Out Shooting Opponents	5-2-0-1	2-4-0-0
Out Shot by Opponents	2-0-0-0	4-2-0-0
1-Goal Games	1-1-0-2	5-2-0-0
2-Goal Games	0-0-0-0	1-2-0-0
3-Goal Games	4-1-0-0	2-0-0-0

Recap: VIC 4 - SPOK 1

Coleman Vollrath made 41 saves to lead the visiting Victoria Royals (9-6) past the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 Saturday night.

The Chiefs (10-3) who are ranked 3rd in the CHL, and have the most points in the WHL (20) had their 4 game win streak snapped by the Royals as well as suffering their first home loss of the season (4-1) in front of 8,055 fans.

Victoria earns the split on their two game US road swing after falling 4-1 at Tri City the night before.

The Royals never trailed, leading 1-0 after the first on Tyler Soy’s 2nd of the season, and 2-1 after 40 with a last minute power play goal by Ben Walker.  Brandon Fushimi added some breathing room with a breakaway goal in the third, before Logan Fisher scored into an empty net. 

Mike Aviani scored the lone goal for the Chiefs, with the league’s point leader Mitch Holmberg drawing an assist and extending his point streak to 13 games.

In his first start since October 1st Vollrath made several sensational stops, improving to 2-1 on the year.  Garrett Hughson allowed 3 goals on 27 shots.

Austin Carroll chipped in with 2 helpers, while Logan Nelson extended his point streak to 8 games (7g 6a) with an assist.  Ben Walker has 5 points over his last 3 outings (1g 4a).

Victoria’s power play went 1 for 6, now scoring a goal with the man advantage in 8 straight games (11 for 40, 27.5%).  Their 2nd best penalty kill was perfect in the two games, only allowing 3 man advantages total.

The Royals are now 1-2 against the Chiefs after a pair of losses on the Island in September, and will meet one final time on the road January 3rd.

Victoria has played the most games in the WHL with 15, and embrace 5 days in between games before opening a 5 game homestand with a pair against Kelowna next Friday and Saturday.

-Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 4 at Spokane Chiefs 1 - Status: End of Game
Saturday, October 19, 2013 - Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

Victoria 1 1 2 - 4
Spokane 0 1 0 - 1

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Soy 2 (Nelson, Carroll), 7:04.

Penalties-Aviani Spo (high sticking), 13:11; Whittingham Spo (tripping), 16:20; Holmberg Spo (tripping), 17:47.

2nd Period-
2, Spokane, Aviani 12 (Holmberg, Yamamoto), 15:28.
3, Victoria, Walker 3 (Carroll, Cote), 19:35 (PP).

Penalties-Walker Vic (tripping), 8:18; Carroll Vic (slashing), 16:17; King Spo (high sticking, high sticking), 16:17; Aviani Spo (slashing), 18:24.

3rd Period-
4, Victoria, Fushimi 6   14:22.
5, Victoria, Fisher 1   19:40 (EN).

Penalties-Bobyk Spo (elbowing), 2:01; Fransoo Vic (delay of game), 5:29.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 10-12-6-28.
Spokane 12-19-11-42.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 6;
Spokane 0 / 2.

Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 2-1-0-0 (42 shots-41 saves).
Spokane, Hughson 2-2-0-0 (27 shots-24 saves).

A-8,055
Referees-Colin Watt (72), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Anthony Guzzo (135), Jeremi Del Campo (44).

Preview: Victoria at Spokane, Saturday Oct. 19th

The Victoria Royals (8-6, 16pts) wrap up their 2 game US road swing against Spokane Chiefs (10-2, 20pts) Saturday night.

Pregame show on The Zone @ 91.3 fm at 6:45, or online at www.thezone.fm

It’s the 3rd meeting of the season as previously the Chiefs won a pair of back to back games on the Island by 6-2 and 6-1 scores on Sept. 24th and 25th.  The leagues leading scorer, Mitch Holmberg had 7 points (3g 4a) and Mike Aviani 6 points (4g 2a) in the two games.  Spokane's power play was lethal, scoring on 5 of 9 chances.

The Chiefs are ranked 3rd in the CHL, and 1st in the WHL with a league high 9 wins in 11 games.  They are undefeated at home with a 4-0 record and riding a 4 game win streak after a 4-2 win over the visiting Silvertips Friday night. 

Mitch Holmberg had a pair in the first, now with a league leading 16 goals and 31 points in 12 games.  Both Jacob Cardiff and Adam Hascic notched their first career WHL goals, while Reid Gow had two assists.  Eric Williams made 17 saves for his league high 8th win.  Aviani who’s 3rd in league scoring with 21 points, was held off the score sheet.

Spokane has allowed the fewest goals against on average in the league, while scoring the 5th most.  Aviani and Holmberg have combined for 57% of the clubs goals (27/47).  The Chiefs penalty kill is ranked 3rd, but the Royals is #2 in the league.

Victoria had their 5 game win streak snapped at Tri City with a 4-2 loss Friday night, never fully recovering from a 3-0, second period deficit.  Luke Harrison and Brett Cote cut the lead to 3-2 in the middle frame, while outshoot the Americans 39-23 overall, but Riley Southam’s 2nd of the night in the third put the game out of reach.  Ben Walker added two assists and was named 3rd star.

“We certainly did deserve a better fate, I thought we got a good effort from everybody.”  According Royals Assistant Coach, Enio Sacilotto, “Overall I thought we outchanced them and played most of the game in there end.”

The Royals were without Brandon Magee (lower, day to day), breaking up the Logan Nelson and Austin Carroll line that produced 26 points over their last 6 games.

“That’s huge, (Magee’s) a huge contributor to our team and is certainly missed when he’s not in the line up.” Said Sacilotto on the absence of Magee.

17 year old forward Mitch Skapski made his Royals debut after being acquired from the Everett Silvertips.

“We were happy with the way he played.  He’s a hard working, grinding type of forward and that’s what we were expecting, and that’s what we got.”

Logan Nelson’s 6 game goal scoring streak was stopped, but with an assist his point streak was extended to 7 games (7g 5a).  Austin Carroll 6 game point streak came to an end.  Luke Harrison has scored in back to back games, Ben Walker has 4 assists in his last 2 outings and Brett Cote a goal and assist over his last 2.

After Spokane Saturday, Victoria opens a 5 game home stand with visits from Kelowna, Red Deer and Edmonton beginning Friday October 25th.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals vs Spokane Chiefs: Head To Head Stats

Description	Result
Head to Head Record 2013-14 Regular Season	Victoria 0-2-0-0	Spokane 2-0-0-0
Head to Head Record 2012-13 Regular Season	Victoria 1-2-1-0	Spokane 3-1-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teams	Victoria 3-12-1-2	Spokane 15-3-0-0
Victoria vs. Spokane Last 5 Years record at Victoria	Victoria 1-8-1-0	Spokane 9-1-0-0
Victoria vs. Spokane Last 5 Years record at Spokane	Victoria 2-4-0-2	Spokane 6-2-0-0
Previous Meetings This Season	Spokane 6 @ Victoria 1 (Sep 25 2013) Final Spokane 6 @ Victoria 2 (Sep 24 2013) Final

How the 2 teams match up

	Spokane	Victoria
Team Record	10-2-0-0 -- 20 points	8-6-0-0 -- 16 points
Division Ranking	1st U.S.	1st B.C.
Conference Ranking	1st Western	2nd Western
League Ranking	1st	3rd
Past 10 Games	8-2-0-0	7-3-0-0
Streak	4-0-0-0	0-1-0-0
Last Game	4-2 W vs Everett (Oct 18 2013) Final	4-2 L @ Tri-City (Oct 18 2013) Final
Home Record	4-0-0-0	5-3-0-0
Away Record	6-2-0-0	3-3-0-0
GF	47	36
GA	26	37
PP (Overall)	(13/51) 25.5	(13/68) 19.1
PP (Home)	(3/14) 21.4	(9/39) 23.1
PP (Away)	(10/37) 27.0	(4/29) 13.8
PK (Overall)	(8/53) 84.9	(9/61) 85.2
PK (Home)	(3/15) 80.0	(8/42) 81.0
PK (Away)	(5/38) 86.8	(1/19) 94.7
Leading Rookie	Bechtold (0-7-7)	Soy (1-2-3)
Most PIM	Proft - 30	Crunk - 29
Team PIM/GM	17.0/Game	17.1/Game
Leading Scorers	Holmberg (16-15-31)	Nelson (8-9-17)
	Aviani (11-10-21)	Carroll (7-4-11)
	Gow (0-12-12)	Hicketts (4-5-9)
	Fram (1-9-10)	Magee (1-8-9)
	Bechtold (0-7-7)	Cote (1-7-8)
Last 5 Games	4-2 W vs Everett (Oct 18 2013) Final	4-2 L @ Tri-City (Oct 18 2013) Final
	5-1 W vs Swift Current (Oct 16 2013) Final	5-4 W vs Prince George (Oct 16 2013) Final
	3-2 W @ Calgary (Oct 13 2013) Final SO	3-0 W vs Prince George (Oct 14 2013) Final
	3-2 W @ Red Deer (Oct 12 2013) Final	4-3 W vs Lethbridge (Oct 12 2013) Final
	4-1 L @ Edmonton (Oct 11 2013) Final	4-0 W vs Lethbridge (Oct 11 2013) Final
Leading After 1st	6-1-0-0	3-0-0-0
Leading After 2nd	6-1-0-0	5-0-0-0
Tied After 1st	2-0-0-0	4-1-0-0
Tied After 2nd	2-0-0-0	1-0-0-0
Trailing After 1st	2-1-0-0	1-5-0-0
Trailing After 2nd	2-1-0-0	2-6-0-0
Out Shooting Opponents	8-0-0-0	2-4-0-0
Out Shot by Opponents	2-2-0-0	3-2-0-0
1-Goal Games	4-0-0-0	5-2-0-0
2-Goal Games	1-1-0-0	1-2-0-0
3-Goal Games	1-1-0-0	1-0-0-0

Recap: VIC 2 - TRI CITY 4

Rodney Southam scored his first two WHL goals to help the Tri City Americans get past the visiting Victoria Royals 4-2 Friday night.

Eric Comrie made 37 saves as the Royals outshot the Americans 39-23 and held Tri City to just one power play opportunity.

“We certainly did deserve a better fate...we got a good effort from everybody.”  According Royals Assistant Coach, Enio Sacilotto, “Overall I thought we outchanced them and played most of the game in there end.”

The Americans led 2-0 after 20, and jumped to a 3-0 lead before the Royals scored back to back goals in the second period.  Victoria outshot Tri City 17-4 in the final frame, but were unable to solve Comrie.  Southam’s 2nd was the lone tally of the third. 

Brian Williams and Lucas Nickles also scored for Tri City, while Luke Harrison and Brett Cote struck for Victoria.  Ben Walker added two assists and was named 3rd star.

Victoria went 1 for 4 on the power play, while killing the one and only Tri City man advantage.

“That was great, first time in a long time we only had one kill and it was outstanding.  We blocked about 4 or 5 shots in a span of 2 minutes.”

The Royals were without Brandon Magee (lower, day to day), and Steven Hodges (lower, 2-3 weeks).  Not dressing was defenseman Chaz Reddekopp and Isaac Schacher.

“That’s huge, (Magee’s) a huge contributor to our team and is certainly missed when he’s not in the line up.” Said Sacilotto on the absence of Magee.

17 year old forward Mitch Skapski made his Royals debut after being acquired from the Everett Silvertips.

“We were happy with the way he played.  He’s a hard working, grinding type of forward and that’s what we were expecting, and that’s what we got.”

Logan Nelson’s 6 game goal scoring streak was stopped, but with an assist his point streak was extended to 7 games (7g 5a).  Austin Carroll 6 game point streak came to an end.  Luke Harrison has scored in back to back games, Ben Walker has 4 assists in his last 2 outings and Brett Cote a goal and assist over his last 2.

The season series is even at 1 game a piece after the Royals won 2-1 on home ice October 6th.  They’ll meet again at the Toyota Centre November 29th.

Netminder Patrik Polivka and Victoria’s 5 game win streak was snapped, and will look to get back into the win column Saturday night in Spokane.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 2 at Tri-City Americans 4 - Status: End of Game
Friday, October 18, 2013 - Toyota Center - Kennewick, WA

Victoria 0 2 0 - 2
Tri-City 2 1 1 - 4

1st Period-
1, Tri-City, Southam 1 (Marreck), 2:28.
2, Tri-City, Williams 9 (Purtill, Tot), 6:58.

Penalties-Southam T.c (high sticking), 17:35.

2nd Period-
3, Tri-City, Nickles 3 (Plutnar, Gutierrez), 3:55.
4, Victoria, Harrison 3 (B Walker, J Walker), 4:56.
5, Victoria, Cote 1 (B Walker, Nelson), 11:36 (PP).

Penalties-Kanzig Vic (tripping), 0:47; Carlo T.c (tripping), 10:40.

3rd Period-
6, Tri-City, Southam 2   10:19.

Penalties-Plutnar T.c (tripping), 6:10; Topping T.c (tripping), 11:16.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 10-12-17-39.
Tri-City 8-11-4-23.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 4;
Tri-City 0 / 1.

Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 7-5-0-0 (23 shots-19 saves).
Tri-City, Comrie 5-6-0-1 (39 shots-37 saves).

A-4,447
Referees-Trevor Shively (11), Mike Campbell (89).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Jacob Hill (122).

Preview: Victoria at Tri City, Friday Oct 18th

Riding a 5 game win streak, the Victoria Royals  (8-5, 16pts) head out on a 2 game US road swing beginning at Tri City (4-7-0-1, 9pts) Friday night.

Pregame show on The Zone @ 91.3 FM at 6:45, or online at www.thezone.fm/listen

It’s their 2nd of 4 meetings, as previously the Royals earned a 2-1 come from behind victory over the visiting Americans on October 6th.  Logan Nelson and Brandon Fushimi scored 3rd period goals while Patrik Polivka was the first star with 33 saves.

Tri City begins a 5 game homestand after playing 8 of the their last 10 on the road.  The Americans are looking to snap a 2 game losing skid after falling 4-1 in Portland and 4-2 in Seattle.  Tri City has won their last two home contests where they are .500 (2-2).

Victoria is coming off a 5-4 victory over the Prince George Cougars Wednesday night, tying the franchise record for consecutive home wins with 5.  The Royals who built a 4-0 first period lead, got the game winner from Logan Nelson extending his league high goal scoring streak to 6 games (7g, 4a).

Victoria got first period goals from Brandon Fushimi, Luke Harrison, Austin Carroll and Tyler Soy.  Ben Walker was named first star, chipping in with 2 helpers.  Carroll pushed his point streak to 6 games (4g 4a).  The line of Brandon Magee, Carroll and Nelson have combined for 26 points over their last 6 contests.

Netminder Patrik Polivka made 24 saves for his 7 win of the season.

Americans goaltender Eric Comrie has played in 11 of 12 games for Tri City this season, starting the last 4 after Evan Sarthou surrendered defeat in his only start which was at Victoria.

It’s a battle of two stingy teams, with the Royals allowing the 4th fewest goals against on average per game, and the Americans the 5th fewest.

After Tri City Friday, Victoria plays in Spokane Saturday before returning to the Island for another 5 game home stand.
Victoria Royals vs Tri-City Americans: Head To Head Stats
Summary

Description	Result
Head to Head Record 2013-14 Regular Season	Victoria 1-0-0-0	Tri-City 0-1-0-0
Head to Head Record 2012-13 Regular Season	Victoria 3-0-1-0	Tri-City 1-2-0-1
Last 5 Years record between teams	Victoria 9-7-1-0	Tri-City 8-8-0-1
Victoria vs. Tri-City Last 5 Years record at Victoria	Victoria 5-3-1-0	Tri-City 4-5-0-0
Victoria vs. Tri-City Last 5 Years record at Tri-City	Victoria 4-4-0-0	Tri-City 4-3-0-1
Previous Meetings This Season	Tri-City 1 @ Victoria 2 (Oct 6 2013) Final

How the 2 teams match up

	Tri-City	Victoria
Team Record	4-7-0-1 -- 9 points	8-5-0-0 -- 16 points
Division Ranking	5th U.S.	1st B.C.
Conference Ranking	8th Western	2nd Western
League Ranking	19th	2nd
Past 10 Games	4-5-0-1	7-3-0-0
Streak	0-2-0-0	5-0-0-0
Last Game	4-1 L @ Portland (Oct 16 2013) Final	5-4 W vs Prince George (Oct 16 2013) Final
Home Record	2-2-0-0	5-3-0-0
Away Record	2-5-0-1	3-2-0-0
GF	28	34
GA	32	33
PP (Overall)	(10/53) 18.9	(12/64) 18.8
PP (Home)	(3/20) 15.0	(9/39) 23.1
PP (Away)	(7/33) 21.2	(3/25) 12.0
PK (Overall)	(8/43) 81.4	(9/60) 85.0
PK (Home)	(4/20) 80.0	(8/42) 81.0
PK (Away)	(4/23) 82.6	(1/18) 94.4
Leading Rookie	Comrie (0-2-2)	Soy (1-2-3)
Most PIM	Nickles - 19	Crunk - 29
Team PIM/GM	12.2/Game	18.3/Game
Leading Scorers	Williams (8-5-13)	Nelson (8-8-16)
	Rankin (5-8-13)	Carroll (7-4-11)
	Tot (3-3-6)	Hicketts (4-5-9)
	Nickles (2-4-6)	Magee (1-8-9)
	McCue (5-0-5)	Fushimi (5-2-7)
Last 5 Games	4-1 L @ Portland (Oct 16 2013) Final	5-4 W vs Prince George (Oct 16 2013) Final
	4-2 L @ Seattle (Oct 12 2013) Final	3-0 W vs Prince George (Oct 14 2013) Final
	4-1 W vs Kamloops (Oct 11 2013) Final	4-3 W vs Lethbridge (Oct 12 2013) Final
	3-2 W @ Kamloops (Oct 8 2013) Final	4-0 W vs Lethbridge (Oct 11 2013) Final
	2-1 L @ Victoria (Oct 6 2013) Final	2-1 W vs Tri-City (Oct 6 2013) Final
Leading After 1st	2-1-0-0	3-0-0-0
Leading After 2nd	4-1-0-0	5-0-0-0
Tied After 1st	2-1-0-1	4-1-0-0
Tied After 2nd	0-1-0-0	1-0-0-0
Trailing After 1st	0-5-0-0	1-4-0-0
Trailing After 2nd	0-5-0-1	2-5-0-0
Out Shooting Opponents	3-2-0-0	2-3-0-0
Out Shot by Opponents	1-5-0-1	3-2-0-0
1-Goal Games	1-3-0-1	5-2-0-0
2-Goal Games	0-2-0-0	1-1-0-0
3-Goal Games	2-1-0-0	1-0-0-0

Royals Acquire F Mitch Skapski

ROYALS TRADE FOR MITCH SKAPSKI

Victoria acquires 1996-born forward from Everett.

For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals are pleased to announce that the club has acquired 1996-born forward Mitch Skapski from the Everett Silvertips in exchange for the playing rights to 1996-born defenceman Mark Nerland.

Skapski joins the Royals from the Silvertips, where he has played since signing with Everett  last December. The 5-9, 165 lb has suited up in just one game this season so far, but appeared in 34 games during the 2012-13 season with Everett.

The Abbotsford, BC native was previously acquired by the Silvertips in a trade with the Portland Winterhawks. Prior to signing with Everett, Skapski played 29 games last season with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League where he notched eight points (3g-5a) and 39 penalty minutes.

Originally drafted by Portland 86^th overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, Skapski spent the 2011-12 season with the Fraser Valley Bruins in the BC Major Midget League. With the Bruins, Skapski put up 49 points (26g-23a) and 86 penalty minutes over 40 games played.

Skapski will join the Royals on their current two-game road trip which sees the club visit the Tri-City Americans tomorrow night. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Friday night in Kennewick before the team travels to Spokane for a date with the Chiefs on Saturday night.

We are Royal Blue, are you? 2013-14 season ticket, mini-plan and group packages are now available! To guarantee yourself the best seats at the best prices call 250-220-7889, visit www.victoriaroyals.com, or head down to the Victoria Royals Ticketing Office located at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

Recap: PG 4 - VIC 5

The Victoria Royals  (8-5, 16pts) edged the visiting Prince George Cougars 5-4 Wednesday night, to sweep the two game set.

The victory also ties the franchise record for consecutive home wins with 5.  Victoria started the 5 game homestand with a 2-1 win over Tri City, then swept Lethbridge 4-0 and 4-3, before blanking Prince George 3-0 Monday.

The Royals led 4-0 after the first, but the Cougars ( 5-6-0-1, 11pts) responded with 3 second period goals before the clubs exchanged markers in the third.

Logan Nelson earned the game winning goal to extend his league high goal scoring streak to 6 games (7g, 4a).

Netminder Patrik Polivka made 24 saves for his 7 win of the season and is now 8-0 against the Cougars.  Brett Zarowny started in goal stopping 11 of 14 before being replaced in the first by Ty Edmonds who kicked out 12 of 14.

Victoria got goals from Brandon Fushimi, Luke Harrison, Austin Carroll and Tyler Soy all in the first.  Ben Walker was named first star, chipping in with 2 helpers.  Carroll pushes his point streak to 6 games (4g 4a).

Prince George countered in the middle frame with goal and assist performances from Chase Witala and Troy Bourke, Marc McNulty also scored.

The Royals were 2 for 7 on the power play, while the Cougars were 1 for 6.

The club improves to 3-1 against Prince George on the season.

Up next Victoria embarks on a two game in two night US road swing with stops in Tri City Friday and Spokane Saturday.

-Marlon Martens

Prince George Cougars 4 at Victoria Royals 5 - Status: Final
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Prince George 0 3 1 - 4
Victoria 4 0 1 - 5

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Fushimi 5 (Walker, Walker), 0:49.
2, Victoria, Harrison 2 (Fisher), 10:08.
3, Victoria, Carroll 7 (Cote), 13:37 (PP).
4, Victoria, Soy 1 (Fransoo, Walker), 17:55 (PP).

Penalties-Cote Vic (slashing), 2:52; Bobos P.g (high sticking), 7:38; Forsberg P.g (tripping), 11:44; Mrkonjic P.g (kneeing), 14:51; Pochiro P.g (cross checking), 16:11.

2nd Period-
5, Prince George, Witala 4   3:01.
6, Prince George, Bourke 4 (Witala, Grewal), 14:37 (PP).
7, Prince George, McNulty 2 (Bourke, Witala), 15:33.

Penalties-Crunk Vic (boarding), 3:19; Bolduc P.g (inter. on goaltender), 6:59; McNulty P.g (tripping), 6:59; Gonek P.g (high sticking), 11:03; Bourke P.g (roughing), 11:49; Carroll Vic (roughing), 11:49; Walker Vic (inter. on goaltender), 12:42; Kanzig Vic (cross checking), 13:29; Roulston P.g (major-fighting), 16:12; Carroll Vic (major-fighting), 16:12; Gagnon Vic (high sticking), 18:21.

3rd Period-
8, Victoria, Nelson 8 (Magee), 5:14.
9, Prince George, Harkins 2 (Wilson, Ruopp), 6:08.

Penalties-Wilson P.g (major-fighting), 8:13; Kanzig Vic (major-fighting), 8:13; Cote Vic (hooking), 13:06.

Shots on Goal-
Prince George 5-10-13-28.
Victoria 16-5-7-28.

Power Play Opportunities-
Prince George 1 / 6;
Victoria 2 / 7.

Goalies-
Prince George,
Zarowny 0-4-0-0 (14 shots-11 saves);
Edmonds 5-2-0-1 (14 shots-12 saves).
Victoria,
Polivka 7-4-0-0 (28 shots-24 saves).

A-3,766
Referees-Ryan Benbow (62), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).

Trent Lofthouse Traded to Vancouver

ROYALS ACQUIRE DRAFT PICK IN DEAL WITH GIANTS

Victoria sends 1994-born forward Trent Lofthouse to Vancouver.

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals today announced that the club has acquired an eighth round draft pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for forward Trent Lofthouse (1994).

Victoria sends Lofthouse to Vancouver after the Surrey, BC native was picked up by the Royals in a trade with the Everett Silvertips last January. With Victoria, Lofthouse registered six points (4g-2a) and six penalty minutes in 20 regular season games as well as one assist in four playoff contests.

The Royals will complete a five-game home stand tonight when they host the Prince George Cougars at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. 

We are Royal Blue, are you? 2013-14 season ticket, mini-plan and group packages are now available! To guarantee yourself the best seats at the best prices call 250-220-7889, visit www.victoriaroyals.com, or head down to the Victoria Royals Ticketing Office located at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

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For further information contact:

Corey St. Laurent

Manager of Communications and Hockey Operations Coordinator

Victoria Royals Hockey Club

250-220-2613

corey.st.laurent@victoriaroyals.com