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).
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