Recap: VIC 2 - VAN 3

The Vancouver Giants held on to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Victoria Royals (20-13-0-1, 41pts), who kicked off their 5 game road trip Tuesday night.

“I didn’t like our first period…I thought the second, third period we came out, played a little harder and had some guys get involved in the game - but we still need some more from some other guys.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

#21 Austin Carroll drives Payton Lee's net

Victoria was without 5 regulars, Steven Hodges (personal) and Logan Nelson (upper 7-10 days) were not in the lineup, joining defensemen Jordan Fransoo (upper, 2 weeks), Joe Hicketts (upper, indefinite) and forward Jack Walker (illness, day to day).

“You take those guys out, it hurts.  I think what we have to understand is that we’re not looking for excuses.  We have guys that are fully capable of stepping in and contributing.  There’s a couple of guys we’re still waiting for to take advantage of opportunities.” said Lowry on the depleted line up.

The Giants earn back to back wins in the final of a 3 game mini-set, winning the last two meetings to take a 3-2 season series lead.

Vancouver lead 2-0 after 20, outshooting Victoria 22-1 in the first. 

Royals bench during intermission time out

Ben Walker sparked the Royals with a shorthanded and power play goal in the 2nd.  His goals were sandwiched by Travis McEvoy’s eventual game winner.

“We picked it up in the 2nd and 3rd period, got our legs moving more but it wasn’t enough – we’ve got to have better starts.”  Royals Forward Ben Walker

The Royals outshot the Giants 9-2 in the third but were unable to find the equalizer.

Coleman Vollrath made 30 saves in the defeat

Payton Lee earned his second consecutive victory with 14 saves, while Coleman Vollrath made 30 in the loss, as the Giants outshot the Royals 33-16.

Victoria went 1 for 7 on the power play, while Vancouver was 1 for 3.

With the loss and a Thunderbird win, Seattle overtakes Victoria for sole possession of 4th in the West by a single point.

Up next the Royals visit the Broncos Thursday, Tigers Saturday, Lethbridge Sunday afternoon and wrap up the road trip against the Oil Kings next Tuesday before the Christmas break.

-Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 2 at Vancouver Giants 3 - Status: End of Game
Tuesday, December 10, 2013 - Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC

Victoria 0 2 0 - 2
Vancouver 2 1 0 - 3

1st Period-
1, Vancouver, Morrison 3 (Orban, Foster), 9:57 (PP).
2, Vancouver, Lofthouse 6 (Foster, Orban), 15:43.

Penalties-Carroll Vic (charging, major-fighting), 8:08; Geertsen Van (major-fighting), 8:08; Palmer Vic (hooking), 10:15; Lofthouse Van (hooking), 19:25.

2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Walker 11 (Magee, Cote), 0:18 (PP).
4, Vancouver, McEvoy 6 (Morrison), 4:47.
5, Victoria, Walker 12   8:53 (SH).

Penalties-Osipov Van (interference), 1:20; Fisher Vic (cross checking), 8:35; Orban Van (cross checking), 11:36; Kanzig Vic (playing w/out helmet), 16:00; Popoff Van (checking from behind), 16:00; Elson Van (inter. on goaltender), 17:08; Elson Van (high sticking), 19:24.

3rd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Sward Van (high sticking), 12:35; Kulak Van (hooking), 19:19; Kanzig Vic (major-fighting), 20:00; Magee Vic (match-spearing), 20:00; Geertsen Van (major - checking to the head, game misconduct), 20:00; Thrower Van (major-fighting), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 1-6-9-16.
Vancouver 22-9-2-33.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 7;
Vancouver 1 / 3.

Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 6-4-0-1 (33 shots-30 saves).
Vancouver, Lee 10-9-3-1 (16 shots-14 saves).

A-4,112
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Dexter Rasmussen (25).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Devon Sephton (149).