Recap: PORT 1 - VIC 2 (Game 3)

Brandon Magee opens the scoring in a 2-1 win over Portland

Patrik Polivka made 38 saves while the Victoria Royals used a pair of power play goals to edge the visiting Portland Winterhawks 2-1, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Final Monday night.

Polvika #1 star

“I liked the way we bounced back, played with great emotion, great controll and our special teams gave us an opportunity to win a hockey game.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

Victoria has a chance at drawing even in the series at 2, Tuesday night at home.

“We were just sticking to our game plan of playing Royals hockey, being hard on their key guys, finishing all of our checks and mucking in front for our goals.  That’s what we did today, our goals weren’t pretty but they still count.” – Royals Forward Steven Hodges

Austin Carroll the GWG on the Power Play

Brandon Magee and Austin Carroll scored back to back power play goals in the first period as the Royals went 2 for 8, while stopping all 4 Winterhawk man advantages.

“Through the course of a playoff series, there’s going to be a lot animosity and emotion.  To win you have to take your licks, and I thought tonight our guys did a real good job of managing that.” said Lowry

Taylor Leir broke Polivka’s shutout bid with :14 seconds left in the third with netminder Brendan Burke on the bench. 

Polivka made 38 saves

“I like the way our guys competed, (Polivka) seeing and making the first save.  Not giving second and third chances.” according to Lowry

Portland has not been shut out since Dec. 11, 2011.  Burke made 25 saves in the loss.

“In order to beat a team of Portland’s calibre, you need everybody on the same page and tonight our guys were all dialed in.” added Lowry

Victoria snapped Portland’s 13 game win streak, handing the Winterhawks just their 2nd loss in 36 games.  In fact the Royals have handed them 2 of their last 3 losses.

Nelson vs Schoenborn

There were two fights, Logan Nelson squared off with Alex Schoenborn in the 2nd, while Brandon Magee and Nic Petan dropped the mitts with :01 second left.

Petan vs Magee

Victoria played a second round playoff game for the first time on the Island in 25 years.

Steven Hodges drew an assist on Carroll’s eventual game winning goal, giving him the franchise lead in playoff points with 18, one more than Jamie Crooks.

Victoria has been an offensive first period team,scoring 13 of their 23 post season goals in the first frame.

Royals defenseman Keegan Kanzig didn’t play as he completed a two-game suspension for actions late in Game 1.

Magee about to score the opening goal

Attendance was 6,505.

“We love playing in this building,” said Lowry on the electricity in the rink, “Our kids really enjoy it – it was great atmosphere, the crowd was really nice loud and they’re into it…”

Pregame show from the SOFMC at 6:45 Tuesday night on the The Zone @ 91.3fm

- Marlon Martens

Magee a blast

Magee celebrates

Austin Carroll vs Brendan Burke

Steven Hodges back hander

Ben Walker a chance

Fisher blocks a Pouliot point drive

Austin Carroll had the hit of the night on Iverson

Time Out Portland

Leir would score with :14 seconds left

Portland Winterhawks 1 at Victoria Royals 2 - Status: Final
Monday, April 7, 2014 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Portland 0 0 1 - 1
Victoria 2 0 0 - 2

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Magee 3 (Walker, Fransoo), 2:49 (PP).
2, Victoria, Carroll 5 (Nelson, Hodges), 9:24 (PP).

Penalties-Petan Por (interference), 2:26; Texeira Por (hooking), 8:36; Rossignol Por (slashing), 9:24; Fransoo Vic (kneeing), 9:42; Schoenborn Por (tripping), 15:17; Brown Vic (slashing), 17:02.

2nd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-served by Predinchuk Por (too many men), 0:18; Schoenborn Por (interference, roughing, major-fighting), 10:53; Nelson Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd., major-fighting), 10:53; Gagnon Vic (tripping), 15:04; Pouliot Por (cross checking), 15:20.

3rd Period-
3, Portland, Leier 3 (Pouliot, Leipsic), 19:46.

Penalties-Iverson Por (inter. on goaltender), 3:06; Bjorkstrand Por (hooking), 11:35; Carroll Vic (embellishment), 11:35; Nelson Vic (roughing), 14:40; Leipsic Por (slashing, roughing), 19:59; Petan Por (major-fighting), 19:59; Carroll Vic (roughing, roughing), 19:59; Magee Vic (major-fighting), 19:59.

Shots on Goal-
Portland 13-14-12-39.
Victoria 13-6-8-27.

Power Play Opportunities-
Portland 0 / 4;
Victoria 2 / 8.

Goalies-
Portland, Burke 6-1-0-0 (27 shots-25 saves).
Victoria, Polivka 5-2-0-0 (39 shots-38 saves).

A-6,505
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Brett Montsion (54).
Linesmen-Ryan Gibbons (73), Justin Hull (49).