Recap: VIC 6 - KEL 4

Austin Carroll scores his 50th WHL career goal in a 6-4 Royals win over Rockets, Credit: Larry Quigley

The visiting Victoria Royals  (37-16-1-3, 78pts) scored three third period goals enroute to a 6-4 win over the CHL’s top ranked Kelowna Rockets (43-8-0-4, 90pts) Saturday.

The Royals came back from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits.

“Our guys stayed patient in our game plan, we got down 2 early and we showed our resiliency.  We got a goal late and were able to build some momentum.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

The Royals celebrate a 6-4 win over the Rockets in Kelowna

Victoria sets the franchise record for points in a season with 78, one more than last years 77, and have points in 9 straight games (7-0-1-1). 

Blomqvist & Goulbourne

The Royals trailed 2-0 in the first before a great individual effort by Axel Blomqvist (20th) on the power play cut the lead in half after 20 minutes.  Jordan Fransoo’s point drive eluded Jordon Cooke to tie the game at 2.  The Rockets regained the lead, but just :34 seconds later Austin Carroll notched his 50th career WHL goal and team leading 27th goal to even the score at three heading to the third.

“We were down 2-0 early, and we stuck with it…our power play got us a timely goal, our penalty kill got back on track, we got a couple key guys that had good games, but overall it was an awesome team effort.” – Enio Sacilotto, Royals Assistant Coach

In the final frame, Steven Hodges (15th) and Logan Nelson (18th) scored :25 seconds apart to give the club a two goal lead, before rookie Nick Merkley brought the Rockets to within one.  Hodges added his second and 16th of the year into an empty net to seal the the win.

The Royals beat the Rockets for the 4th time this year (4-2-0-1), handing Kelowna just their 3rd home regulation loss, twice by Victoria. 

“Really good team win, we all worked really hard…we really wanted to win against the top team in the CHL…it gives us huge confidence – all smiles tonight.” – Axel Blomqvist

Logan Nelson buries his 18th short side top corner, Credit: Larry Quigley

The Royals continue to set franchise record in total season wins at 37, and road victories at 18.  They’ve now won 5 straight on the road.

Coleman Vollrath earned his 17th win stopping 30 of 34 shots, while Jordon Cooke suffered just his 5th regulation loss allowing 5 goals on 42 shots.

#10 Ben Walker had 3 assists, #21 Austin Carroll had his 50th career goal and Nelson his 18th

Victoria outshot Kelowna 21-12 in the third and 43-34 overall.

Blomqvist tucks home his 20th to cut the Rockets lead to 2-1 in the first, Credit: Larry Quigley

It was a penalty filled game with the Royals penalty killers shutting down all 8 Rocket man advantages, while scoring once on six of their own power plays.

Ben Walker had three assists, Hodges had two goals, Joe Hicketts a pair of helpers and Blomqvist the number one star with a goal and assist.

Victoria wraps up their 3 game BC Division road swing with a 2pm matinee in Vancouver Holiday Monday.

-Marlon Martens

Celly like Nelly!

Fransoo's point shot tied the game at 2-2

Victoria Royals 6 at Kelowna Rockets 4 - Status: Final
Saturday, February 8, 2014 - Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC

Victoria 1 2 3 - 6
Kelowna 2 1 1 - 4

1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Rigby 15 (Baillie, Schmidli), 7:48.
2, Kelowna, Baillie 22 (Merkley, Tvrdon), 9:29.
3, Victoria, Blomqvist 20 (Hicketts), 16:16 (PP).

Penalties-served by Rigby Kel (too many men), 3:31; Hicketts Vic (hooking), 5:46; Severson Kel (cross checking), 11:30; Brown Vic (tripping), 12:36; Rigby Kel (hooking), 15:43; Soy Vic (tripping), 17:03; Magee Vic (slashing), 20:00.

2nd Period-
4, Victoria, Fransoo 3 (Cote, Walker), 8:38.
5, Kelowna, Heffley 7 (Martin, Severson), 11:25.
6, Victoria, Carroll 27 (Hicketts, Walker), 11:59.

Penalties-Carroll Vic (elbowing), 4:52; Merkley Kel (hooking), 6:10; Severson Kel (interference), 15:15; Carroll Vic (embellishment), 17:22; Hicketts Vic (roughing), 19:59; Severson Kel (roughing), 19:59.

3rd Period-
7, Victoria, Hodges 15   4:29.
8, Victoria, Nelson 18 (Walker), 4:54.
9, Kelowna, Merkley 13 (Tvrdon, Baillie), 5:34.
10, Victoria, Hodges 16 (Blomqvist), 19:06 (EN).

Penalties-Glover Kel (holding), 5:45; Skapski Vic (kneeing), 9:05; Kohlhauser Vic (delay of game), 13:49.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 9-13-21-43.
Kelowna 14-8-12-34.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 6;
Kelowna 0 / 8.

Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 17-5-1-1 (34 shots-30 saves).
Kelowna, Cooke 30-5-0-4 (42 shots-37 saves).

A-5,064
Referees-Matt Kirk (4), Steve Papp (17).
Linesmen-Kevin Crowell (141), Mike Langin (67).