Game #1 Recap: VIC 2 - SPK 1 OT

Travis Brown was the overtime hero in Game 1, Royals 2-1 win over Chiefs

Travis Brown scored the overtime winner, while Patrik Polivka made 26 saves as the Victoria Royals defeated the visiting Spokane Chiefs 2-1 Saturday night in front of 6,615 fans.

“It feels good, but it’s a long series…we know they’re going to come with a better game tomorrow and we have to do the same...” - Royals Defenseman Travis Brown

Game number two goes Sunday night at 5pm.

Brandon Magee chipped in with a pair of helpers, while the Royals penalty killers stopped all 5 Chief man advantages.

It was a tight checking, physical war zone, with minimal mistakes at either end.

“That’s exactly what playoff hockey is right there, a hard fought battle, a low scoring affair…And fortunately for us, we were on the right end tonight.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

Victoria was able to hold the leagues regular season scoring winner Mitch Holmberg (118pts) and his partner Mike Aviani (81pts) off the scoresheet.

Ben Walker opened the scoring pouncing on a rebound with under 5 minutes to go in the first period.

Ben Walker would score after an Axel Blomqvist shot

Walker would start the second period with a fight against the Chiefs Captain Reid Gow.

After a scoreless middle frame, Spokane tied it up early in the third as Riley Whittingham jammed in his own rebound.

In overtime Steven Hodges found Brown in front of the net and got his first post season goal through Eric Williams.  Brown was star #3 on the night.

“Everybody knows this is two similar hockey teams, it’s going to be a long series and we felt tonight we were fortunate to win a hockey game.” Said Lowry

Polivka was the first star, Williams the second as Victoria out shot their opposition 33-27.

Polivka made 26 saves for first star honours

The Royals were 0 for 3 on the power play, while not allowing the Chiefs a single man advantage after the 2nd period after stopping all 5 chances.

Series Schedule:

Sunday, March 23rd Spokane @ Victoria 5:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26th Victoria @ Spokane 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 27th Victoria @ Spokane 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, March 29th Spokane @ Victoria 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Monday, March 31st Victoria @ Spokane 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Wednesday, April 2nd Spokane @ Victoria 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)

- Marlon Martens

Spokane Chiefs 1 at Victoria Royals 2 (OT) - Status: Final OT
Saturday, March 22, 2014 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Spokane 0 0 1 0 - 1
Victoria 1 0 0 1 - 2

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Walker 1 (Blomqvist, Magee), 15:26.

Penalties-Crunk Vic (charging), 3:32; Proft Spo (roughing), 6:14; Crunk Vic (checking from behind), 9:06; Gow Spo (slashing), 10:28.

2nd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Gow Spo (major-fighting), 0:48; Walker Vic (major-fighting), 0:48; Fransoo Vic (tripping), 0:59; Blomqvist Vic (roughing), 8:54; Fushimi Vic (roughing), 13:49; Aviani Spo (roughing), 20:00; Gow Spo (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 20:00; Cote Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 20:00; Fisher Vic (roughing), 20:00.

3rd Period-
2, Spokane, Whittingham 1 (Wedman, Cardiff), 2:22.

Penalties-Holmberg Spo (hooking), 4:51.

OT Period-
3, Victoria, Brown 1 (Hodges, Magee), 8:10.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-
Spokane 8-11-4-4-27.
Victoria 14-7-6-6-33.

Power Play Opportunities-
Spokane 0 / 5;
Victoria 0 / 3.

Goalies-
Spokane, Williams 0-0-1-0 (33 shots-31 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 1-0-0-0 (27 shots-26 saves).

A-6,615
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Adam Byblow (23).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Justin Hull (49)