Recap Game 2: SPK 3 - VIC 4 OT

Logan Nelson was the overtime hero as the Victoria Royals defeated the visiting Spokane Chiefs 4-3 Sunday night, taking a 2-0 series lead.

It was back to back overtime wins, as Travis Brown provided the heroics one night earlier in a 2-1 victory.

“I think we’re just relieved that we found a way to win another overtime game…and we know we’re going into a real hostile environment…” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

The series shifts to Spokane for games 3 and 4 Wednesday and Thursday.

“It’s going to present a lot of challenges,” said Lowry about heading into Spokane, where the Royals beat the Chiefs 4-1 back on October 19th,

It was another physical battle

“We still need to be a lot cleaner, minimize turnovers in our end and make sure our game is perfect to make sure to give ourselves an opportunity to win.”

Victoria held period leads of 2-1 and 3-2, and in both nights, Spokane tied the game in the third to force overtime.

The Royals outshot the Chiefs 45-31, as Patrik Polivka earned back to back wins, setting the franchise record for wins by a netminder with 4, passing Lucas Gore.  Williams suffered another set back while making 41 stops.

Polivka won back to back nights

Victoria was unable to strike on 5 power play chances, but stopped 4 of 5 Spokane man advantages - including a Chiefs 5 on 3 for 1:47 in the 1st period when the game was 2-1 Royals.

After Spokane’s Dominic Zwerger scored 47 seconds into the first, Logan Fisher responded 40 seconds later firing a shot out of the corner past Williams. 

Magee beats Williams

“I’m just glad that we got the second goal, got it back to even real quick – or it’s a different hockey game.” said Lowry on Fisher's snipe.

Brandon Magee scored top corner to give Victoria a 2-1 frist period lead, after being set up by Ben Walker.

Tyler Soy put the Royals up by a pair in the second, but Liam Stewart replied :46 later.  Patrik Polivka had just finished shaking off an uncalled high stick on the same play.

Leading 3-2 in the third, Reid Gow fired a point shot past Polivka on the power play to even the score and force overtime for a second straight night.

Magee celebrates the 2-1 goal

Logan Nelson notched the winner on a rebound just over 2 minutes into the extra frame.

“Gagnon did a good job of getting the puck on net, and I looked down at my feet and the puck was right there, and found the back of the net.” said Nelson, the Rogers Minnesota product on the winning goal.

“It felt nice, my mom was in the stands, so it was good to score one for her.”

Blomqvist was denied this chance by Eric Williams, as the Royals got 45 shots

Nelson on the mindset heading into Spokane,

“They’re a tough team to play against in their building, we can’t take them lightly so we’re going in with a 0-0 mentality.”

- Marlon Martens

Spokane Chiefs 3 at Victoria Royals 4 (OT) - Status: Final OT
Sunday, March 23, 2014 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Spokane 1 1 1 0 - 3
Victoria 2 1 0 1 - 4

1st Period-
1, Spokane, Zwerger 1   0:47.
2, Victoria, Fisher 1 (Fushimi, Cote), 1:27.
3, Victoria, Magee 1 (Walker, Cote), 9:31.

Penalties-Wedman Spo (high sticking), 2:07; Gow Spo (roughing), 3:27; Blomqvist Vic (roughing), 3:27; Crunk Vic (roughing), 9:50; Magee Vic (slashing), 10:03; Whittingham Spo (boarding), 18:37; Carroll Vic (roughing), 20:00.

2nd Period-
4, Victoria, Soy 1 (Brown, Palmer), 3:47.
5, Spokane, Stewart 1 (Fram), 4:33.

Penalties-Crunk Vic (charging), 8:12; Zwerger Spo (holding), 10:27; Aviani Spo (cross checking), 18:43.

3rd Period-
6, Spokane, Gow 1 (Fram, Aviani), 9:07 (PP).

Penalties-Chartier Spo (high sticking), 0:21; Gagnon Vic (boarding), 7:47.

OT Period-
7, Victoria, Nelson 1 (Gagnon), 2:18.

Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-
Spokane 10-10-10-1-31.
Victoria 15-12-15-3-45.

Power Play Opportunities-
Spokane 1 / 5;
Victoria 0 / 5.

Goalies-
Spokane, Williams 0-0-2-0 (45 shots-41 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 2-0-0-0 (31 shots-28 saves).

A-4,629
Referees-Kevin Bennett (29), Jeff Ingram (82).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).