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| Jack Walker scores the shoot out winning goal. |
The club earned their 4th come from behind victory when trailing after 2 periods overcoming a 2-1 deficit.
“We gave up he first goal, playing one of the best teams in the country…I really like the way our guys stayed with the game, going into the third period down, found a way to score a big goal and win a hockey game.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry
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| The Royals pour off the bench to celebrate. |
Victoria earned their 3rd straight victory over Portland after defeating them twice on the road this season, last Saturday 3-2, and on November 9th in overtime by the same score.
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| Vollrath stopped all 3 shooters including Leipsic. |
The Winterhawks are ranked 7th in the CHL, while the Royals earned a second straight ‘Honourable Mention’ having only 1 regulation loss in their last 11 games.
Making his Victoria debut was 19 year old defenseman Travis Brown, acquired Monday from Moose Jaw, picking up an assist.
“I felt really good, great team defense, it felt good to get a win in my first game here…” said Brown, “…everyone was sacrificing, getting in shot lanes…we took advantage of the power play and (Jack) Walker put one away in the shoot out.”
They’ll meet again Saturday night on the Island to wrap up the season series with the Royals leading 3-0.
Special teams played it’s role Friday night, as both teams struck with the man advantage. Victoria was 1 for 5, and Portland scored both their goals on 5 man advantages.
The Winterhawks opened the scoring on Nic Petan’s 21st of the year, before Ben Walker (18th) rifled a shot past Corbin Boes making his debut between the pipes.
Brendan Leipsic (22nd) scored the lone goal of the second, and Steven Hodges (9th) the lone tally of the third.
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| #6 Brown earned an assist in his debut for Victoria. |
Vollrath shut the door on all three Winterhawk shooters, Leipsic, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Petan for his third win over Portland, and 11th victory of the season.
Boes made 31 saves through overtime, making his first start after being acquired from the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Austin Carroll chipped in with 2 assists, while Petan and Leipsic had a goal and assist each. Derrick Pouliot (8th overall Pitts ’12) had two helpers.
It was a battle between the stingiest and most offensive clubs in the league, as the Royals have allowed the fewest goals against per game on average and Portland has scored the most on average.
The Winterhawks had 4 of their top 6 scorers and 39% of their total team points in the line up after being absent last weekend due to World Juniors and suspension.
“You have to try and minimize the quality opportunities…they’re going to get their chances, you look who scored the goals…they’re opportunitistic players. We have to make sure we don’t take as many unneccessary penalties and try not to give them those opportunities.” said Lowry.
Portland defenseman Matt Dumba (ill) did not play and may join the team either Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, according to GM / Head Coach Mike Johnston. Netminder Brendan Burke did not dress (lower, day to day).
The Royals were without the services of defenseman Joe Hicketts (Upper 4-6 weeks), forward Logan Nelson (Upper 7-10 days) and Braden Oleksyn (Upper 2-3 weeks). Chaz Reddekopp was a late scratch.
After Portland on Saturday, Victoria’s 5 game homestand continues next weekend with a pair against the #1 ranked team in the CHL, the Kelowna Rockets, and wraps up with a visit from Medicine Hat.
-Marlon Martens
Portland Winterhawks 2 at Victoria Royals 3 (SO) - Status: Final SO
Friday, January 10, 2014 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Portland 1 1 0 0 - 2
Victoria 1 0 1 0 - 3
1st Period-
1, Portland, Petan 21 (Leipsic, Pouliot), 8:48 (PP).
2, Victoria, Walker 18 (Carroll, Brown), 14:50.
Penalties-Crunk Vic (charging), 6:56; Viveiros Por (checking from behind), 11:04; Petan Por (tripping), 16:59.
2nd Period-
3, Portland, Leipsic 22 (Petan, Pouliot), 16:51 (PP).
Penalties-Fushimi Vic (tripping), 7:33; Hodges Vic (charging), 14:12; Kohlhauser Vic (delay of game), 15:56; De Champlain Por (interference), 17:21.
3rd Period-
4, Victoria, Hodges 9 (Magee, Carroll), 6:42 (PP).
Penalties-Fisher Vic (high sticking), 0:05; Pouliot Por (high sticking), 5:19; Leipsic Por (tripping), 15:51.
OT Period-
No Scoring.
Penalties-No Penalties
Shootout –
Portland 0 (Leipsic NG, Bjorkstrand NG, Petan NG),
Victoria 1 (Walker NG, Walker G, Hodges NG).
Shots on Goal-
Portland 13-10-15-2-0-40.
Victoria 10-10-11-2-1-34.
Power Play Opportunities-
Portland 2 / 5;
Victoria 1 / 5.
Goalies-
Portland, Boes 5-24-2-3 (33 shots-31 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 11-4-0-1 (40 shots-38 saves).
A-4,937
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Chris Schlenker (90).
Linesmen-Tim Digby (75), Nathan Van Oosten (115).
