Recap: VIC 5 - KAM 1

Jack Walker gave the Royals a 4-0 lead, enroute to a 5-1 win over the Blazers Friday

Ben Walker had 4 assists to lead the Victoria Royals (46-17-1-3) to a 5-1 victory over the visiting Kamloops Blazers Friday night in front of a sell out crowd of 7,006.

“I thought it was a pretty strong game for us tonight…we’ve been getting results, but haven’t been super happy with the way we’ve been playing, but tonight we were pretty content…” – Enio Sacilotto, Royals Assistant Coach

Brett Cote scores on the power play.

The Royals took the first of back to back games, and now lead the season series 6 games to 1 over the 10th place Blazers.

Victoria outshot Kamloops 40-18, and held period leads of 3-0 and 4-1, as Walker assisted on the first four Royals goals.

“Ben Walker was on fire, he had a great night, he skated really well, he found guys and made plays, was really impressive.” Said Sacilotto

Victoria celebrates a goal

The Royals got goals from Axel Blomqvist (23rd), Brett Cote (5th) on the power play, and Brandon Magee (24th) in the first while holding the Blazers to just 3 first period shots.

Victoria jumped ahead 4-0 on Jack Walker’s 7th assisted by his brother, before Ryan Rehill broke Patrik Polivka’s shut out bid with 11.2 seconds left in the middle frame.

Kanzig fought Rehill

The Royals came out hard to start the third with Taylor Crunk’s bone crushing hit on Joe Kornelson which lead to Travis Brown’s 14th of the season just :21 seconds in.

Polivka earned his 25th win kicking out 17 of 18, while Bolton Pouliot was busy at the other end allowing 5 goals on 40 shots, but stopping breakaways by Logan Nelson, Axel Blomqvist and Brandon Magee.

Victoria went 1 for 3 on the power play, while Kamloops was 0 for 2.

Magee and Brown each had a goal and assist.

Victoria won their 4th in a row

There were two fights, the main event featured Keegan Kanzig with the decision over Ryan Rehill.  Jack Palmer had a short scrap with Carson Bolduc.

The Royals extended their win streak to 4 games, while handing the Blazers their 6th straight loss as Kamloops wraps up 10 straight on the road Saturday night with just one win so far.

Victoria continues to set franchise records for wins with 46, and points with 96.

The club has clinched home ice for the first round of the playoffs, and have just 5 regular season games remaining.

After Kamloops Saturday, they hit the road for games against Kelowna and Vancouver on Tuesday and Wednesday, before a home and home with Everett.

-Marlon Martens

Kamloops Blazers 1 at Victoria Royals 5 - Status: Final
Friday, March 7, 2014 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Kamloops 0 1 0 - 1
Victoria 3 1 1 - 5

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Blomqvist 23 (Walker, Kanzig), 9:47.
2, Victoria, Cote 5 (Walker, Magee), 12:02 (PP).
3, Victoria, Magee 24 (Walker), 15:12.

Penalties-Walker Vic (hooking), 6:30; Rehill Kam (roughing), 10:35.

2nd Period-
4, Victoria, Walker 7 (Walker, Brown), 11:39.
5, Kamloops, Rehill 4   19:48.

Penalties-Rehill Kam (major-fighting), 4:35; Kanzig Vic (major-fighting), 4:35; Bolduc Kam (major-fighting), 7:52; Palmer Vic (major-fighting), 7:52.

3rd Period-6, Victoria, Brown 14 (Fisher, Palmer), 0:21. Penalties-Walker Vic (roughing), 4:59; Sideroff Kam (hooking), 12:16; Shirley Kam (hooking), 18:51.

Shots on Goal-
Kamloops 3-7-8-18.
Victoria 15-13-12-40.

Power Play Opportunities-
Kamloops 0 / 2; Victoria 1 / 3.

Goalies-
Kamloops, Pouliot 7-27-0-2 (40 shots-35 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 26-11-0-2 (18 shots-17 saves).

A-7,006
Referees-Ryan Benbow (62), Brett Montsion (54).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).