Recap: VIC 3 - KEL 2

Axel Blomqvist notched the winner in a come from behind Royals win Tuesday, 3-2 over the Rockets

Axel Blomqvist scored the game winning goal, while Patrik Polivka made 34 saves as the visiting Victoria Royals (48-17-0-1, 100 pts) came from behind to defeat the #1 club in the CHL, the Kelowna Rockets 3-2.

Polivka made 34 saves in the win.

“We definitely stuck to our team game, battled through all the adversity with the penalties.  In the end we stuck together as a team and that’s what pulled us through.” – Royals Defenseman Ryan Gagnon

Victoria ranked 8th, wins for a 5th time in the 8 game season series (5-2-0-1), taking all 4 in Kelowna (54-11-0-4, 112pts).

“I think we showed again we’re a real strong team, and playing the top team in the CHL and win again, it was a great team effort, everyone’s dialed in…” - Royals Forward Axel Blomqvist

The Royals hit 100 points

The Royals earn 100 points for the first time in franchise history, and need 2 more wins to reach 50, with 3 games left.  They face the Giants Wednesday night in Vancouver.

“It’s awesome, I’m really proud of our team…it’s been long overdue…it’s really nice to be part of this…” said Sacilotto on the 100 point campaign.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the third, Ryan Gagnon (2nd) tied up the game before Blomqvist notched the game winner with under 4 minutes to go.

Brandon Magee tied the game late in the first at 1 with his 25th of the season and 200th career WHL point.

Brandon Magee scores, notching his 200th WHL Career point. Credit Larry Quigley

Polivka earned his 28th win and 8th in a row, while Jordon Cooke suffered just his 7th regulation loss, allowing 3 goals on 36 shots.

“We came back and I think we deserved it.  We played good hockey, stayed with the process and we did the little things…”  said Polivka who improves to 3-2 against Kelowna.

Victoria is now riding a 6 game win streak, having earned their 48th win, and 26th on the road.

It was the 6th come from behind victory when trailing after 40 minutes (6-17-0-1), and first regulation loss for Kelowna when leading heading into the third.

Neither team could strike on the power play, the Royals were 0 for 6 and the Rockets 0 for 5.  Victoria did not allowing a goal while shorthanded in the 8 game season series (35 for 35).

Their were two fights at the start of the 2nd period as Taylor Crunk squared off in a spirited tilt with Kelowna pugilist Tyrell Goulbourne.  Logan Fisher fought Myles Bell at the same time.

"The altercations at the start of the second brought some competitive juices out, got us skating and woke us up." said Sacilotto.

It was a physical affair

Rockets Tanner Wishnowski (AP) scored his first WHL goal on his first shift, banking one in off a Royal defender.  Cole Linaker got the second goal on a short handed breakaway.

Victoria has locked up the 3rd spot in the West and will face the 6th seed, still to be determined.

-Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 3 at Kelowna Rockets 2 - Status: Final
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 - Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC

Victoria 1 0 2 - 3
Kelowna 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Wishnowski 1 (Heffley, Rigby), 2:18.
2, Victoria, Magee 25 (Walker), 16:23.

Penalties-Gagnon Vic (boarding), 3:13; Tvrdon Kel (cross checking), 5:53; Nelson Vic (interference), 7:05; Fisher Vic (boarding), 12:30.

2nd Period-
3, Kelowna, Linaker 11 (Chartier), 16:45 (SH).

Penalties-Crunk Vic (major-fighting), 0:29; Bell Kel (major-fighting), 0:29; Goulbourne Kel (major-fighting), 0:29; Olsen Kel (roughing), 0:29; Walker Vic (hooking), 2:06; Brown Vic (roughing), 8:39; Fransoo Vic (roughing, slashing), 8:39; Martin Kel (roughing), 8:39; Severson Kel (roughing), 8:39; Heffley Kel (high sticking, high sticking), 15:40; Bell Kel (high sticking), 19:07.

3rd Period-
4, Victoria, Gagnon 2 (Fisher), 5:04.
5, Victoria, Blomqvist 24 (Fransoo), 16:40.

Penalties-Gagnon Vic (roughing), 5:23; Tvrdon Kel (roughing), 5:23; Bowey Kel (holding), 7:27.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 6-14-16-36.
Kelowna 14-14-8-36.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 6; Kelowna 0 / 5.

Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 28-11-0-2 (36 shots-34 saves).
Kelowna, Cooke 38-7-0-4 (36 shots-33 saves).

A-4,908
Referees-Kevin Bennett (29), Brett Iverson (24).
Linesmen-Ward Pateman (124), Mike Langin (67).