Recap: VIC 5 - PG 3

Defenseman Travis Brown broke a third period tie, while Brandon Magee added the insurance marker on a two point night, as the visiting Victoria Royals (44-17-1-3, 92pts) beat the Prince George Cougars 5-3 Friday night.

The Royals led 3-1 in the third before the Cougars (26-33-3-5, 60pts) tied it up a on a pair of goals 1:13 apart, before Victoria pulled away late. 

“I think we believe that we’re deep enough that if we keep playing our game and keep playing in the system that Dave (Lowry) creates for us, then things will work.  It’s a trust thing throughout the group and it’s paying off.”  said Travis Brown on the clubs ability to pull off the win.

Brett Cote opened the scoring with his 4th of the year

The Royals earned their franchise best 44th victory and 92 point with 7 games remaining, while improving to (24-7-0-1) on the road this season.  It caps off a franchise best month of February with a record of (11-1-1-0).

Victoria remains 3rd in the West, 7 back of Portland who won their 21st straight game, while pulling 10 points ahead of idle Seattle.  Prince George remains 2 points out of a playoff spot, chasing Tri City who fell Friday 3-2 at Everett who is 6th.

Netminder Patrik Polivka made 24 saves improving to 9-0 lifetime against Prince George including 4-0 this season. 

Polivka stopped Fiddler on a short handed breakaway

“It was a great win for us, but I think we need to be a bit sharper Saturday, because they came back and tied it…” said Polivka on the win.

Adam Beukeboom allowed 4 goals on 37 shots in the defeat.

The Royals are now 6-1 against the Cougars this season, and will meet for one final time Saturday night.  They’ve outscored the the Cats 27-12 over the 7 game series.

Victoria got goals from 5 different players, including Brett Cote (4th) in the first, Austin Carroll’s team leading 33rd making it 2-0 in the second, and Logan Fisher’s 7th giving the club an early 3-1 lead in the third.

Logan Nelson had an assist in the win

Brandon Magee’s goal and assist gives him 60 points on the season (23g 37a), matching his total offensive output of last season (30g 30a).  Magee now has 6 points over his last 3 games (2g 4a) and continues to lead the club in scoring.  Austin Carroll extends his point streak to 6 games with 8 points (5g 3a).

Austin Carroll extended his point streak to 6 games

The games first star, Todd Fiddler had a pair for Prince George, and now has 44 goals this season, second most in the league, and his 91 points is good for 5th best. 

“Shutting down Fiddler is a tough challenge, he’s deceivingly quick and he’s got a great shot.  He makes big plays at big times, and we saw that tonight.” According to Royals defenseman Brown.

Zach Pochiro had a goal and assist and was named third star.

The Royals were 0 for 2 on the power play, while the Cougars went 0 for 1.

Pregame show Saturday from the CN Centre in Prince George at 6:45 on The Zone @ 91.3 fm.

-Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 5 at Prince George Cougars 3 - Status: Final
Friday, February 28, 2014 - CN Centre - Prince George, BC

Victoria 1 1 3 - 5
Prince George 0 1 2 - 3

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Cote 4 (Magee, Fransoo), 15:33.

Penalties-Pochiro P.g (hooking), 13:30.

2nd Period-
2, Victoria, Carroll 33 (Nelson), 11:55.
3, Prince George, Fiddler 43 (Ruopp, Pochiro), 14:55.

Penalties-Fiddler P.g (high sticking), 12:40; Walker Vic (roughing), 15:45; Pochiro P.g (roughing), 15:45.

3rd Period-
4, Victoria, Fisher 7 (Palmer), 1:46.
5, Prince George, Pochiro 27 (Bourke, Tkatch), 7:08.
6, Prince George, Fiddler 44 (Harkins, Bobos), 8:21.
7, Victoria, Brown 13 (Crunk), 15:09.
8, Victoria, Magee 23 (Blomqvist, Hicketts), 19:53 (EN).

Penalties-Crunk Vic (hooking), 4:08.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 12-16-10-38.
Prince George 8-12-7-27.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 2;
Prince George 0 / 1.

Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 24-11-0-2 (27 shots-24 saves).
Prince George, Beukeboom 5-7-0-0 (37 shots-33 saves).

A-1,521
Referees-Steve Papp (17), Chris Schlenker (90).
Linesmen-Tom Henetiuk (140), Nathan Van Oosten (115).