Recap: VAN 5 - VIC 4 Shoot Out

Patrik Polivka robs Sward short handed, but scored moments later in a 5-4 shoot out loss to the Giants

Logan Nelson scored twice, including the tying goal in the third, but the Victoria Royals (33-16-0-3, 69pts) fell 5-4 in a shoot out to the visiting Vancouver Giants (26-18-5-3, 60pts) Friday night.

Nelson stopped in shoot out

The Giants take a 4-3 series lead, and will meet again Saturday night on the Island wrapping up three straight for the Royals against their BC Division rivals.  Victoria won 3-1 last Saturday in Vancouver.

The Royals held period leads of 1-0 and 3-2 as the Giants came back to even the score after each Victoria goal until the final frame where they scored twice to take a short lived lead. 

The loss ended the Royals perfect record of 25-0 when leading after 40, and snapped their 3 game winning streak (3-0-0-1).  The Giants beat the Blazers Wednesday and now have won back to back games.

Victoria picks up a single point, but finds themselves tied with Seattle for 3rd in the West, while Vancouver leap frops Everett for 6th after the Thunderbirds beat the Silvertips 2-1.  Seattle is 9-1 in their past 10 games. 

Play in Vancouver's end

The Royals got going early, just over two minutes in as Steven Hodges tapped in his 13th of the year after a pretty passing play from linemates Axel Blomqvist and Brandon Magee who all ended with two point nights.

Dalton Sward scored his 6th shorthanded goal to even the game at 1 in the second, before Brandon Magee added his 19th of the year on the power play to restore the lead.  Vancouver would tie it up again courtesey of Cain Franson after stealing the puck in front of Victoria’s net. 

Logan Nelson ripped a shot top corner glove side on Payton Lee to restore the lead once again 3-2 heading into the third, where the Royals are unbeaten when leading after 40 minutes.

Just 95 seconds into the third, Giants Thomas Foster evened the score at 3 with a rising shot over the glove of Polivka.  Former Royal Tim Traber followed up his own rebound to put Vancouver on top for the first time in the game 4-3.  90 seconds later, Logan Nelson accepted a pass from Hicketts and scored with a low shot coming down the right wing to force overtime, which solved nothing.

Polivka stops Kulak in shoot out

In the shoot out Franson scored on the Giants first attempt and Kulak stopped on their second by Polivka.  Nelson, Jack and his brother Ben Walker where all stopped by Vancouvers’ Payton Lee, for the 5-4 shoot out victory.

The contest saw only three power plays, Victoria went 1 for 2 while allowing a short handed goal, and stopped the lone man advantage for the opposition.

Lee earned his 15th win of the season with 28 saves, while Polivka falls to (20-11-0-2), stopping 26 of 30 in 65 minutes of play.

Five Royals had two point nights, Brandon Magee (19th) and Steven Hodges (13th)  had a goal and assist each as the line with Axel Blomqvist (2a) combined for 6 points.  Logan Nelson had his 14th and 15th of the season, while defenseman Joe Hicketts in his return after missing 34 straight games assisted on both Nelson goals.

Logan Nelson scores his 2nd of the night to even the score at 4.  Photo Credit: Larry Quigley

Thomas Foster was the number star for the Giants with a goal and assist, and Joe Hamilton chipped in with a pair of helpers.

Victoria wraps up the month of January with a franchise best 7-3-0-1 record.

Saturday night is the annual Pink in the Rink night against Vancouver, followed by a pair of games Tuesday and Wednesday against Calgary to wrap up their 4 game homestand.

The Royals only have 7 home games of the 20 remaining regular season contests left.

- Marlon Martens

Vancouver Giants 5 (SO) at Victoria Royals 4 - Status: Final SO
Friday, January 31, 2014 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Vancouver 0 2 2 0 - 5
Victoria 1 2 1 0 - 4

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Hodges 13 (Magee, Blomqvist), 2:17.

Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period-
2, Vancouver, Sward 16 (Foster, Kulak), 8:00 (SH).
3, Victoria, Magee 19 (Hodges, Blomqvist), 11:57 (PP).
4, Vancouver, Franson 19   13:33. 5, Victoria, Nelson 14 (Hicketts), 18:10.

Penalties-Lofthouse Van (slashing), 2:06; Walker Vic (interference), 2:06; Lofthouse Van (high sticking), 6:55; Osipov Van (hooking), 10:10; Nelson Vic (hooking), 14:05.

3rd Period-
6, Vancouver, Foster 6 (Hamilton), 1:35.
7, Vancouver, Traber 10 (Hamilton, Morrison), 8:21.
8, Victoria, Nelson 15 (Hicketts), 9:51.

Penalties-No Penalties

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout –
Vancouver 1 (Franson G, Kulak NG),
Victoria 0 (Nelson NG, Walker NG, Walker NG).

Shots on Goal-
Vancouver 10-11-8-1-1-31.
Victoria 11-13-5-3-0-32.

Power Play Opportunities-
Vancouver 0 / 1;
Victoria 1 / 2.

Goalies-
Vancouver, Lee 15-15-3-2 (32 shots-28 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 20-11-0-2 (30 shots-26 saves).

A-5,339
Referees-Sean Raphael (28), Pat Smith (12).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).

Preview: Vancouver at Victoria, Friday Jan.31.2014

The Victoria Royals (33-16-0-2, 68pts) open a four game homestand with a pair of games against the Vancouver Giants (25-18-5-3, 58pts) Friday and Saturday.

Pregame show at 6:45 on The Zone @ 91.3 fm both nights or online: http://cjzn.streamon.fm/ 

Vancouver is (5-4-0-1) over their past 10, while Victoria is (7-3) and earned ‘Honourable Mention’ for the CHL Top 10 rankings.

It’s part of three straight against the Giants, as the Royals won 3-1 in Vancouver last Saturday tying the franchise record for road wins with 16.

Patrik Polivka made 32 saves for his 20th win of the season and is now 9-2 lifetime versus the G-Men.  Logan Nelson scored his 50th career WHL Goal, and Brandon Magee added his 18th of the season extending his point streak to 5 games (4g 3a 7 pts).  Magee is leading the Royals in scoring with 46 points (18g, 28a) in 44 games.

Victoria is riding a 3 game win streak, and evened the season series with Vancouver at 3 a piece.   The Royals are 3rd in the West, one point ahead of the Thunderbirds. With 33 victories, the club is 2 wins away from tying the franchise record of 35 set last season.

The Giants beat the visiting Blazers 5-3 on Wednesday, pulling them into a 6th place tie with the Everett Silvertips.  Tri City is three points back in 8th.

Dalton Sward scored twice and added an assist, while Payton Lee made 16 saves for the win.  Former Royal Tim Traber had 2 assists, as did defenseman Tyler Morrison.  Vancouver’s power play was 3 for 4, and shut down Kamloops only man advantage.

Sward has 9 goals in his past 8 games, pushing him to 15 in an injury-shortened 36 games.

Vancouver’s first overall pick in 2013, 15 year old Tyler Benson played his 3rd WHL game and was held off the scoresheet.  Their 2nd round selection (23rd overall), defenseman Ryely McKinstry played in his first WHL game.

The Giants are 1 over .500 on the road this season with 10 victories, while the Royals are 7 over .500 at home, with 17 victories in 28 games.  Victoria only has 8 home games left of their remaining 21 regular season contests.

The Royals are the stingiest team in the WHL, allowing just 2.35 goals against on average per game.  Netminder Coleman Vollrath leads all netminders in GAA (1.92) and SAV % (0.942).  Patrik Polivka is tied for 2nd in league shutouts with 5, has recorded 20 wins and owns the 7th best GAA (2.52).

The Giants have allowed the 3rd fewest shots against on average in the league, and their power play has been red hot as of late.  Vancouver has scored 8 goals on 10 chances through their last 3 games, boosting their man advantage efficiency to 5th best in the league.  Against Victoria last Saturday they went 0 for 1.

Royals 17 year old defenseman, Joe Hicketts who’s missed 34 straight games and hasn’t played since October 26 with an upper-body injury, could make his return this weekend.

-Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals vs Vancouver Giants: Head To Head Stats
Summary

Description	Result
Head to Head Record 2013-14 Regular Season	Victoria 3-3-0-0	Vancouver 3-3-0-0
Head to Head Record 2012-13 Regular Season	Victoria 7-3-0-0	Vancouver 3-7-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teams	Victoria 21-23-1-1	Vancouver 25-21-0-0
Victoria vs. Vancouver Last 5 Years record at Victoria	Victoria 12-10-0-1	Vancouver 11-12-0-0
Victoria vs. Vancouver Last 5 Years record at Vancouver	Victoria 9-13-1-0	Vancouver 14-9-0-0
Previous Meetings This Season	Victoria 3 @ Vancouver 1 (Jan 25 2014) Victoria 2 @ Vancouver 3 (Dec 10 2013)	Vancouver 7 @ Victoria 4 (Dec 7 2013) Vancouver 2 @ Victoria 4 (Dec 6 2013) Vancouver 2 @ Victoria 1 (Sep 21 2013) Victoria 4 @ Vancouver 2 (Sep 20 2013)

How the 2 teams match up

	Vancouver	Victoria
Team Record	25-19-5-3 -- 58 points	33-16-0-2 -- 68 points
Division Ranking	3rd B.C.	2nd B.C.
Conference Ranking	7th Western	3rd Western
League Ranking	12th	6th
Past 10 Games	5-4-0-1	7-3-0-0
Streak	1-0-0-0	3-0-0-0
Last Game	5-3 W vs Kamloops (Jan 29 2014) Final	3-1 W @ Vancouver (Jan 25 2014) Final
Home Record	15-10-0-1	17-10-0-1
Away Record	10-9-5-2	16-6-0-1
GF	178	156
GA	176	120
PP (Overall)	(50/217) 23.0	(45/219) 20.5
PP (Home)	(27/100) 27.0	(24/126) 19.0
PP (Away)	(23/117) 19.7	(21/93) 22.6
PK (Overall)	(39/222) 82.4	(35/213) 83.6
PK (Home)	(18/108) 83.3	(21/123) 82.9
PK (Away)	(21/114) 81.6	(14/90) 84.4
Leading Rookie	Baer (7-9-16)	Soy (10-10-20)
Most PIM	Traber - 129	Carroll - 93
Team PIM/GM	15.0/Game	14.6/Game
Leading Scorers	Popoff (11-44-55)	Magee (18-28-46)
	Kulak (14-35-49)	Brown (10-31-41)
	Franson (18-27-45)	Blomqvist (17-21-38)
	Houck (27-15-42)	Carroll (22-15-37)
	Thrower (12-27-39)	Nelson (13-23-36)
Last 5 Games	5-3 W vs Kamloops (Jan 29 2014) Final	3-1 W @ Vancouver (Jan 25 2014) Final
	3-1 L vs Victoria (Jan 25 2014) Final	7-2 W @ Kamloops (Jan 24 2014) Final
	10-0 W vs Lethbridge (Jan 24 2014) Final	2-1 W vs Medicine Hat (Jan 21 2014) Final
	6-1 L vs Medicine Hat (Jan 22 2014) Final	5-3 L vs Kelowna (Jan 18 2014) Final
	5-2 L @ Portland (Jan 20 2014) Final	3-1 W vs Kelowna (Jan 17 2014) Final
Leading After 1st	12-4-1-3	21-1-0-0
Leading After 2nd	22-1-2-2	25-0-0-0
Tied After 1st	11-5-3-0	10-2-0-0
Tied After 2nd	3-1-1-1	4-0-0-1
Trailing After 1st	2-10-1-0	2-13-0-2
Trailing After 2nd	0-17-2-0	4-16-0-1
Out Shooting Opponents	19-11-2-1	10-5-0-1
Out Shot by Opponents	5-8-2-2	20-11-0-1
1-Goal Games	10-3-5-3	14-5-0-2
2-Goal Games	4-8-0-0	8-5-0-0
3-Goal Games	7-4-0-0	5-3-0-0

Royals: Pink In The Rink Details

ROYALS ANNOUNCE PINK IN THE RINK DETAILS

Victoria’s third annual BC Cancer Foundation fundraiser set for Saturday; fans encouraged to wear pink!

For Immediate Release

Monday, January 27, 2014

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals are pleased to announce details for the club’s third annual Pink in the Rink game to be held on Saturday, February 1^st when the Royals host the Vancouver Giants in support of the BC Cancer Foundation.

In the Royals’ first two seasons on Vancouver Island, the annual Pink in the Rink game has sold out each year and raised over $71,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation! Proceeds from the raffles, Chuck-A-Puck, 50/50, jersey auctions, ticket options and more will all go towards the BC Cancer Foundation again this year! All funds raised during the Pink in the Rink game will support local research at the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Island Centre.

The Royals are offering three ticket options for fans wishing to attend the game and support the BC Cancer Foundation.

-          The Pink in the Rink Family Pack is $55 and includes four tickets plus a coupon for two giveaway items with $10 from each package donated to the BC Cancer Foundation!

-          Individual tickets in corner and end sections can be bought for $16 with $3 from each ticket donated to the BC Cancer Foundation.

-          Groups of 10 or more can also purchase tickets for just $12 each while $2 from every ticket benefits the BC Cancer Foundation!

These three special offers must be purchased on or before January 30^th.

Fans can also donate to the BC Cancer Foundation, right now in support of their favourite player online through the BC Cancer Foundation’s website. Please visit http://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/PinkintheRinkVictoria for more details.

Sponsors for the Royals’ 2014 Pink in the Rink game include CHEK News, the Times Colonist, 103.1 JACK FM, Ocean 98.5, TELUS, RBC, Seafirst Insurance, Uptown, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and CML Healthcare.

The festivities kick off on Saturday night prior to puck drop! Foldable pink megaphones will be available for a suggested donation of $3 to the BC Cancer Foundation to help fans make some noise for the cause! The Torquay Elementary Choir will also sing our national anthem before a special ceremonial puck drop! The fun and excitement will continue throughout the game and fans are encouraged to show their support for this great cause by wearing pink at Saturday’s game!

During the game, fans can bid on the game-worn special edition Pink in the Rink jerseys of Steven Hodges, Jack Walker and Austin Carroll at Guest Services by way of silent auction. Immediately following the game, fans are encouraged to participate in a live jersey auction where Keegan Kanzig, Jordan Fransoo, Joe Hicketts and the evening’s starting goalie will raffle their special edition jerseys right off their backs! Fans can look for the Royals’ promotional staff during the live auction in order to place their bids. Full jersey auction details are available at www.victoriaroyals.com/jerseyauctions. All proceeds from the auctions will support the BC Cancer Foundation.

Group together and save! Whether it’s a sports team, co-workers, or family and friends there are plenty of incentives to bring a group to a game. Discounted rates start at 10 or more tickets, and the bigger your group the bigger the savings. Call for details 250-220-7889 or visit www.victoriaroyals.com/groupnights. Don’t miss a second of the action, playoff packages are on-sale February 3^rd!

-30-

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

Recap: VIC 3 - VAN 1

Brandon Magee was the first star in a 3-1 Royals win over the Giants

Patrik Polivka made 32 saves as the visiting Victoria Royals (33-16-0-2, 68pts) beat the Vancouver Giants 3-1 Saturday extending their win streak to 3 games.

“By us scoring the first goal it took the wind out of their sails a little bit.  It allowed us to generate some momentum.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

The Royals even the season series at 3 a piece, and open a four game homestand with a pair against the same Giants (24-18-5-3, 56pts) next Friday and Saturday.

Victoria returns home sweeping both contests on their 2 game BC Division road swing which began with a 7-2 win in Kamloops Friday.

Magee scored his 18th of the season

Saturday night the Royals scored twice in a span of 2:28 on goals by Brandon Magee (18th) and Jordan Fransoo (2nd) to take a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.

“Travelling in, (Saturday from Kamloops) I thought our start was really good.  We moved the puck, we were really good in the first period and that allowed us to settle in and play.” Said Lowry, “Patrik (Polivka) made a big save after we scored…we were able to battle through.  Then Fransoo gets one for us.”

Logan Nelson scored his 13th and 50th career WHL goal on a breakaway to take a 3-0 lead.

Logan Nelson scores on a breakway for his 50th WHL career goal.  Credit: Larry Quigley

“It’s exciting, that goosebump feeling that jumps through your spine.  That accomplishment, it’s something that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.” – Logan Nelson on scoring his 50th WHL goal

Dalton Sward scored short handed to get the Giants on board.  Vancouver hit a post in the third but Polivka held the fort and skated away with the 3-1 victory.

Both clubs displayed discipline as the first penalty wasn’t called until 8:01 of the second period.

“We matched their physical play…I really liked our discipline, and the stuff after the whistle was non existant.  For us that really plays into our hands and that helps our hockey club.” According to Lowry.

#25 Brandon Fushimi blocks a shot shorthanded

Neither club scored with the man advantage as the Royals went 0 for 2 and Giants 0 for 1.

#19 Logan Nelson

Polivka earned his 20th win of the season and improves to 9-2 lifetime versus Vancouver.  Polivka is now 5-0 at the Pacific Coliseum.  Payton Lee who allowed 2 goals on the Royals first 3 shots stopped of 20 of 23 in defeat.

The Royals tie the franchise record for road wins with 16, and improve to 10 over .500 away from the SOFMC.

Victoria remains 3rd in the West, 1 back of Portland and 3 up on Seattle.

Brandon Magee extended his point streak to 5 games amassing 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 points over that span.

-Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 3 at Vancouver Giants 1 - Status: Final
Saturday, January 25, 2014 - Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC

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

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Magee 18 (Hodges), 4:06.
2, Victoria, Fransoo 2 (Fushimi), 6:34.

Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Nelson 13   11:39.
4, Vancouver, Sward 13 (Geertsen), 15:52 (SH).

Penalties-Kanzig Vic (delay of game), 8:01; Volek Van (slashing), 15:36.

3rd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Franson Van (checking from behind), 11:44.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 6-11-6-23.
Vancouver 15-6-12-33.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 2;
Vancouver 0 / 1.

Goalies-Victoria,
Polivka 20-11-0-1 (33 shots-32 saves).
Vancouver, Lee 13-15-3-2 (23 shots-20 saves).

A-6,109
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Fraser Lawrence (10).
Linesmen-Ryan Gibbons (73), Justin Hull (49).

Preview: Victoria at Vancouver, Sat. Jan.25.2014

The Victoria Royals (32-16-0-2, 66pts) wrap up a two game road trip as they visit the Vancouver Giants (24-18-5-3,56pts) in a clash of BC Division rivals Saturday night.

Pregame show at 6:45 with puck drop at 7pm.  Listen online at www.thezone.fm

It’s the first of three straight meetings between the two clubs, with the next pair being played on the Island next weekend.

The Giants hold a 3-2 season series lead over the Royals after defeating Victoria in their previous two encounters by 3-2 and 7-4 scores in December.  The Giants and Chiefs are the only two clubs that have a winning record against the Royals.

Vancouver is 7th in the West, 1 back of Everett after a 10-0 home victory over Lethbridge Friday night, snapping the Giants 3 game losing streak.

Dalton Sward and Jackson Houck each scored twice for Vancouver, as Payton Lee made 18 saves for his second career shutout.  The Giants scored five power-play goals and Sward also added one short-handed.

The Royals are 3rd in the West, 3 back of the Winterhawks and 3 ahead of the Thunderbirds.

Victoria is riding a 2 game win streak after a 7-2 road victory over the Kamloops Blazers Friday night.

Tyler Soy had a goal and two assists, and Jack Walker a pair of goals as Victoria held period leads of 4-2 and 7-2, outshooting the Blazers 42-22.  Coleman Vollrath earned the victory while Steven Hodges and Brandon Magee had a goal and assist each.

The Royals are 9 games over .500 on the road, winning 15 of 22.  They play 14 of their remaining 22 regular season games on the road.

With 32 victories, the club is 3 wins away from tying the franchise record of 35 set last season.  Victoria has the 4th most points in the WHL with 66 points.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals vs Vancouver Giants: Head To Head Stats
Summary

Description	Result
Head to Head Record 2013-14 Regular Season	Victoria 2-3-0-0	Vancouver 3-2-0-0
Head to Head Record 2012-13 Regular Season	Victoria 7-3-0-0	Vancouver 3-7-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teams	Victoria 20-23-1-1	Vancouver 25-20-0-0
Victoria vs. Vancouver Last 5 Years record at Victoria	Victoria 12-10-0-1	Vancouver 11-12-0-0
Victoria vs. Vancouver Last 5 Years record at Vancouver	Victoria 8-13-1-0	Vancouver 14-8-0-0
Previous Meetings This Season	Victoria 2 @ Vancouver 3 (Dec 10 2013) Final Vancouver 7 @ Victoria 4 (Dec 7 2013) Final Vancouver 2 @ Victoria 4 (Dec 6 2013) Final Vancouver 2 @ Victoria 1 (Sep 21 2013) Final Victoria 4 @ Vancouver 2 (Sep 20 2013) Final

How the 2 teams match up

	Vancouver	Victoria
Team Record	24-18-5-3 -- 56 points	32-16-0-2 -- 66 points
Division Ranking	3rd B.C.	2nd B.C.
Conference Ranking	7th Western	3rd Western
League Ranking	11th	5th
Past 10 Games	5-4-0-1	7-3-0-0
Streak	1-0-0-0	2-0-0-0
Last Game	10-0 W vs Lethbridge (Jan 24 2014) Final	7-2 W @ Kamloops (Jan 24 2014) Final
Home Record	14-9-0-1	17-10-0-1
Away Record	10-9-5-2	15-6-0-1
GF	172	153
GA	170	119
PP (Overall)	(47/212) 22.2	(45/217) 20.7
PP (Home)	(24/95) 25.3	(24/126) 19.0
PP (Away)	(23/117) 19.7	(21/91) 23.1
PK (Overall)	(39/219) 82.2	(35/212) 83.5
PK (Home)	(18/105) 82.9	(21/123) 82.9
PK (Away)	(21/114) 81.6	(14/89) 84.3
Leading Rookie	Baer (7-9-16)	Soy (10-10-20)
Most PIM	Traber - 129	Carroll - 93
Team PIM/GM	15.4/Game	14.9/Game
Leading Scorers	Popoff (11-43-54)	Magee (17-28-45)
	Kulak (14-35-49)	Brown (10-31-41)
	Franson (17-26-43)	Blomqvist (17-21-38)
	Houck (27-15-42)	Carroll (22-15-37)
	Thrower (12-27-39)	Walker (19-15-34)
Last 5 Games	10-0 W vs Lethbridge (Jan 24 2014) Final	7-2 W @ Kamloops (Jan 24 2014) Final
	6-1 L vs Medicine Hat (Jan 22 2014) Final	2-1 W vs Medicine Hat (Jan 21 2014) Final
	5-2 L @ Portland (Jan 20 2014) Final	5-3 L vs Kelowna (Jan 18 2014) Final
	4-0 L @ Tri-City (Jan 19 2014) Final	3-1 W vs Kelowna (Jan 17 2014) Final
	6-2 W @ Kamloops (Jan 17 2014) Final	2-1 L vs Portland (Jan 11 2014) Final
Leading After 1st	11-4-1-3	20-1-0-0
Leading After 2nd	21-1-2-2	24-0-0-0
Tied After 1st	11-5-3-0	10-2-0-0
Tied After 2nd	3-1-1-1	4-0-0-1
Trailing After 1st	2-9-1-0	2-13-0-2
Trailing After 2nd	0-16-2-0	4-16-0-1
Out Shooting Opponents	18-10-2-1	10-5-0-1
Out Shot by Opponents	5-8-2-2	19-11-0-1
1-Goal Games	10-3-5-3	14-5-0-2
2-Goal Games	3-7-0-0	7-5-0-0
3-Goal Games	7-4-0-0	5-3-0-0

Recap: VIC 7 - KAM 2

Steven Hodges scores in a 7-2 victory over the Blazers. Credit Larry Quigley

Tyler Soy had 3 points and Jack Walker a pair of goals as the visiting Victoria Royals (32-16-0-2, 66pts) beat the Kamloops Blazers 7-2 Friday.

“I didn’t think we were at the top of our game early, but we got some key goals…scoring a late goal with seconds left (in the first) and then it was all over.” – Assistant Coach Enio Sacilotto

The Royals take a 4-1 season series lead by winning the last 4, and it’s their third consecutive victory over the 10th place Blazers (11-31-2-3, 27pts) by a 5 goal margin in each of those contests.

Victoria held period leads of 4-2 and 7-2, with no scoring in the final frame as the Royals outshot the Blazers 42-22 on the night. 

#14 Jack Walker scored twice

“We got a couple goals on them and then we kept pressing and pressing, we didn’t back down at all, our consistency throughout the game was really good.” – Royals Forward Tyler Soy

Kamloops Josh Connolly opened the scoring on the power play, but Victoria replied with 3 straight.  Austin Carroll scored top corner for his 22nd, followed by Jack Walker’s 3rd depositing a rebound.  Steven Hodges picked the top corner for his 12th to go up 3-1.

The Blazers Chase Souto converted on a 2 on 1 to close the gap to 3-2 before Logan Fisher scored with a shot from the corner that eluded Pouliot with 2.7 seconds left, restoring the two goal lead after 20 minutes.

Kehler was beaten 3 times in the 2nd period. Credit Quigley

The Royals added 3 more in the second period as Brandon Magee smacked home a cross ice feed from Alex Blomqvist for his 17th.  Tyler Soy fired home his 10th on the power play from the slot, before Jack Walker one timed a pass from Soy past Cole Kehler who turned it over behind the net.

Netminder Coleman Vollrath stopped 20 shots for his 13th win, while Bolton Pouliot was relieved after the first 20 minutes as he allowed 4 goals on 14 Royals shots.  16 year old call up from the OHA Cole Kehler in just his second WHL game came in relief and allowed 3 goals on 28 shots.

The Royals congratulate netminder Coleman Vollrath

Brandon Magee and Steven Hodges had a goal and assist each as their line with Blomqvist combined for 5 points.  Jack Walker with Tyler Soy and Jack Palmer also combined for 5 points.

Tyler Soy was the number one star, followed by Jack Walker and Brandon Magee.

Victoria remains 3rd in the West, pulling 3 points ahead of Seattle who had their 7 game win streak snapped in Tri City.

The Royals went 1 for 5 on the power play while the Blazers went 1 for 3.

Riding a 2 game win streak, Victoria wraps up their 2 game BC Division road swing in Vancouver Saturday night.

-Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 7 at Kamloops Blazers 2 - Status: Final
Friday, January 24, 2014 - Interior Savings Centre - Kamloops, BC

Victoria 4 3 0 - 7
Kamloops 2 0 0 - 2

1st Period-
1, Kamloops, Connolly 10 (Ness, Kornelsen), 6:19 (PP).
2, Victoria, Carroll 22 (Walker, Nelson), 7:56.
3, Victoria, Walker 3 (Magee, Soy), 11:20.
4, Victoria, Hodges 12   14:12.
5, Kamloops, Souto 19 (Shirley, Grist), 15:17.
6, Victoria, Fisher 3 (Crunk), 19:57.

Penalties-Kanzig Vic (hooking), 5:21; Grist Kam (interference), 17:19.

2nd Period-
7, Victoria, Magee 17 (Blomqvist, Hodges), 4:28.
8, Victoria, Soy 10   10:06 (PP).
9, Victoria, Walker 4 (Soy), 15:09.

Penalties-Rehill Kam (interference), 0:09; Chyzowski Kam (hooking), 7:08; Bolduc Kam (interference), 9:47; Cote Vic (tripping), 16:28.

3rd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Carroll Vic (interference), 0:56; Revel Kam (tripping), 7:05.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 14-14-14-42.
Kamloops 8-11-3-22.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 5;
Kamloops 1 / 3.

Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 13-5-0-1 (22 shots-20 saves).
Kamloops, Pouliot 6-12-0-2 (14 shots-10 saves); Kehler 0-1-0-0 (28 shots-25 saves).

A-4,027
Referees-Ryan Benbow (62), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Spencer Lockert (84).

Preview: Victoria at Kamloops, Friday Jan.24.2014

The Victoria Royals (31-16-0-2, 64pts) visit the Kamloops Blazers (11-31-2-3, 27pts) Friday night kicking off a 2 game BC Division road swing, followed by a visit to Vancouver Saturday.

Pregame show at 6:45 on The Zone @ 91.3 fm

The Royals have won their last 3 straight against the Blazers after dropping their first meeting of the season.  Recently Victoria won both games at home by 5 goal margins, 5-0 and 6-1 back in November.

Kamloops is in the 10th and final spot in the West, 23 points out of a playoff spot. 

Wednesday they snapped a 7 game winless slide with a 7-1 win at home over Lethbridge.  Tyson Ness had 3 points with 2 goals and an assist, while Chase Souto added a pair of goals as the Blazers built up 4-0 first period lead.  Netminder Bolton Pouliot earned his first win since November, making 30 saves.

Kamloops Head Coach Guy Charron won his 145th game moving him past Don Hay for 2nd in franchise history behind Ken Hitchcock’s 291 wins.

Victoria is 3rd in the West, 3 points back of Portland who have points in 7 straight, but just one up on Seattle who are riding a 7 game win streak.

The Royals are coming off a 2-1 win over the visiting Tigers Tuesday, Coleman Vollrath made 28 saves and Brandon Magee’s second period goal stood as the winner.  They wrap up a 5 game homestand with a  3-2 winning record, earning splits against CHL Top 10 opponents in the Rockets and Winterhawks.

Victoria plays 15 of the their final 23 games on the road while sporting a 14-6-0-1 record away from the SOFMC.  Kamloops is 8 under .500 at home (6-14-2-2).

The Royals are the stingiest team, allowing the fewest goals against on average, while scoring the 6th fewest goals for.

The Blazers have scored the 2nd fewest goals for on averge per game, while allowing the 2nd most.

Victoria’s penalty killing is 3rd best and power play 11th overall, while Kamloops power play and penalty kill is 22nd and 21st respectively.

Kamloops made several moves at the trade deadline, sending G Taran Kozun to Seattle for 17 yr old 6' 6 D Austin Douglas, 18 yr old G Justin Myles and a 4th round pick in 2015. 

The Blazers acquired 19-year-old forward Matt Bellerive and a 3rd round in 2014 from the Rebels in exchange for 19-year-old forward Aspen Sterzer who moves closer to home.

Kamloops also acquired 17-year-old forward Matt Revel from the Saskatoon Blades, plus a 3rd round pick in 2016 and a conditional 2nd round pick in 2014 in exchange for 17-year-old defenceman Jordan Thomson, 17-year-old forward Mitch Lipon and a 1st round pick in 2015.

Up next Victoria wraps up their two game BC Division road swing in Vancouver, the beginning of 3 straight against the Giants, who own a 3-2 record against the Royals face Lethbridge Friday.

-Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals vs Kamloops Blazers: Head To Head Stats
Summary

Description	Result
Head to Head Record 2013-14 Regular Season	Victoria 3-1-0-0	Kamloops 1-3-0-0
Head to Head Record 2012-13 Regular Season	Victoria 4-4-0-0	Kamloops 4-2-0-2
Last 5 Years record between teams	Victoria 16-17-1-2	Kamloops 20-13-1-2
Victoria vs. Kamloops Last 5 Years record at Victoria	Victoria 11-5-1-1	Kamloops 7-9-0-2
Victoria vs. Kamloops Last 5 Years record at Kamloops	Victoria 5-12-0-1	Kamloops 13-4-1-0
Previous Meetings This Season	Kamloops 0 @ Victoria 5 (Nov 23 2013) Final Kamloops 1 @ Victoria 6 (Nov 22 2013) Final Victoria 2 @ Kamloops 1 (Nov 19 2013) Final Victoria 3 @ Kamloops 4 (Oct 4 2013) Final

How the 2 teams match up

	Kamloops	Victoria
Team Record	11-31-2-3 -- 27 points	31-16-0-2 -- 64 points
Division Ranking	5th B.C.	2nd B.C.
Conference Ranking	10th Western	3rd Western
League Ranking	21st	6th
Past 10 Games	2-7-0-1	7-3-0-0
Streak	1-0-0-0	1-0-0-0
Last Game	7-1 W vs Lethbridge (Jan 22 2014) Final	2-1 W vs Medicine Hat (Jan 21 2014) Final
Home Record	6-14-2-2	17-10-0-1
Away Record	5-17-0-1	14-6-0-1
GF	125	146
GA	191	117
PP (Overall)	(29/174) 16.7	(44/212) 20.8
PP (Home)	(19/92) 20.7	(24/126) 19.0
PP (Away)	(10/82) 12.2	(20/86) 23.3
PK (Overall)	(60/222) 73.0	(34/209) 83.7
PK (Home)	(35/107) 67.3	(21/123) 82.9
PK (Away)	(25/115) 78.3	(13/86) 84.9
Leading Rookie	Chyzowski (2-5-7)	Soy (9-8-17)
Most PIM	Rehill - 133	Carroll - 91
Team PIM/GM	16.0/Game	15.1/Game
Leading Scorers	Ully (19-28-47)	Magee (16-27-43)
	Connolly (9-28-37)	Brown (10-31-41)
	Revel (11-19-30)	Blomqvist (17-20-37)
	Needham (10-20-30)	Carroll (21-15-36)
	Souto (18-7-25)	Walker (19-14-33)
Last 5 Games	7-1 W vs Lethbridge (Jan 22 2014) Final	2-1 W vs Medicine Hat (Jan 21 2014) Final
	3-2 L vs Seattle (Jan 18 2014) Final	5-3 L vs Kelowna (Jan 18 2014) Final
	6-2 L vs Vancouver (Jan 17 2014) Final	3-1 W vs Kelowna (Jan 17 2014) Final
	4-3 L vs Prince George (Jan 11 2014) Final SO	2-1 L vs Portland (Jan 11 2014) Final
	6-3 L @ Spokane (Jan 10 2014) Final	3-2 W vs Portland (Jan 10 2014) Final SO
Leading After 1st	8-1-1-1	19-1-0-0
Leading After 2nd	9-0-2-1	23-0-0-0
Tied After 1st	2-10-0-1	10-2-0-0
Tied After 2nd	1-3-0-1	4-0-0-1
Trailing After 1st	1-20-1-1	2-13-0-2
Trailing After 2nd	1-28-0-1	4-16-0-1
Out Shooting Opponents	4-7-0-2	9-5-0-1
Out Shot by Opponents	7-23-2-1	19-11-0-1
1-Goal Games	4-7-2-3	14-5-0-2
2-Goal Games	2-4-0-0	7-5-0-0
3-Goal Games	2-10-0-0	5-3-0-0

Recap: MH 1 - VIC 2

Brandon Magee's goal in the second, stood as the winner

Coleman Vollrath made 28 saves and Brandon Magee's second period goal stood as the winner, as the Victoria Royals (31-16-0-2, 64pts) beat the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers 2-1 Tuesday night.

“We didn’t play as well as we would’ve liked.  We got a couple goals and we held on.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry  

POST GAME AUDIO: https://soundcloud.com/voice_vicroyals/tracks

Fushimi beats Langhammer

Victoria wraps up their 5 game home stand with a winning record (3-2) and avenge a 4-3 shoot out loss in Medicine Hat (26-16-3-0, 55pts) back in December.

Brandon Fushimi (13th) scored the lone goal of the first on the power play, before Magee’s 16th put the Royals up 2-0 in the second.  Curtis Valk scored his 23rd of the year with the man advantage to cut the lead in half in the middle frame.

Things get heated behind Tigers net

There would be no scoring in the third, as Vollrath shut the door stopping Cole Sanford twice on great scoring opportunities.

“Our goaltender once again, gave us a chance to win made some extremely big saves.” Said Lowry

Vollrath was second star stopping 28 of 29, while his counterpart Marek Langhammer kept the Tigers in it early earning first star honours allowing two goals on 30 shots.

Victoria held Medicine Hat to 10 shots less than their league leading average of 38.59.

Both clubs went 1 for 5 on the power play.

“Our penalty killing when challenged after giving up the one goal, they locked it down.”  said Lowry

Langhammer was #1 star, seen stopping Jack Walker

The Royals remain 3rd in the West, one point up on the Thunderbirds who have won 7 in a row.

Up next Victoria heads on the road for a two game BC Division road swing with stops in Kamloops Friday and Vancouver Saturday.  The Royals play 15 of the their final 23 games on the road while sporting a 14-6-0-1 record away from the SOFMC.

-Marlon Martens

Head Coach Dave Lowry

Medicine Hat Tigers 1 at Victoria Royals 2 - Status: Final
Tuesday, January 21, 2014 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Medicine Hat 0 1 0 - 1
Victoria 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Fushimi 13 (Walker, Brown), 13:44 (PP).

Penalties-Lewington M.h (roughing), 7:21; Blomqvist Vic (high sticking), 8:00; Sanford M.h (high sticking), 11:57; Lewington M.h (checking from behind), 17:39.

2nd Period-
2, Victoria, Magee 16 (Blomqvist, Cote), 1:06.
3, Medicine Hat, Valk 23 (Bredo, Vannelli), 5:46 (PP).

Penalties-Hodges Vic (hooking), 5:37; Brown Vic (tripping), 16:13.

3rd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Reddekopp Vic (holding), 2:26; Sanford M.h (interference), 9:45; Walker Vic (roughing), 10:15; Valk M.h (roughing), 14:22; Fisher Vic (roughing), 14:22; Owre M.h (interference), 15:12.

Shots on Goal-
Medicine Hat 9-11-9-29.
Victoria 12-10-8-30.

Power Play Opportunities-
Medicine Hat 1 / 5;
Victoria 1 / 5.

Goalies-
Medicine Hat, Langhamer 11-6-2-0 (30 shots-28 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 12-5-0-1 (29 shots-28 saves).

A-3,813
Referees-Pat Smith (12).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).