Recap: VIC 3 - PORT 6 (Game 2)

Steven Hodges had a 3 point night, but the Portland Winterhawks came from behind with 4 unanswered to defeat the visiting Victoria Royals 6-3 Saturday night, taking 2-0 series lead.

“Give these guys credit, they play at a high pace and it’s something we haven’t seen in a long time.  For us to move on we have to go back, and to find a way to win game 3.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

Hodges scores his 2nd of the game

The Western Conference semi-finals shift to Victoria for games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday night.

Saturday was a back and forth affair, with the Royals leading twice after opening the scoring and pulling ahead 3-2 at the 7:36 mark of the second.  However, a pair of power play goals by the Winterhawks put them back on top heading to the final frame.

Polivka made 38 stops

After surrendering 10  power plays to Portland one night earlier, Victoria cut their chances in half Saturday.

“Our discipline was good.  I think we have to do a better job of moving our feet.  When you start taking hooking penalties it’s usual because it’s one team skating and the other team watching.” according to Lowry

Blomqvist

Victoria scored twice on the power play on four opportunities, while Portland went 2 for 5 and out shot the Royals 44-25 overall.

“We had a lot of momentum throughout the game, I thought we played really well for a full 60 minutes outside or penalties, and that’s what killed us.  They have a good power play, you can’t be doing that.” – Steven Hodges, Royals Forward.

Portland added two more in the third, for their 13th win in a row to the delight of the sold out Moda Center crowd of 10, 947.  The Winterhawks have now won 34 of 35, which includes a regular season 21 game win streak.

'Hawks celebrate victory

The puck luck seemed to be in favour of the home team,

“They got some bounces, we had some opportunities, and squandered a couple...but at the end of the day we need to be better.” according to Lowry

Patrik Polivka gave the club a fighting chance with many brilliant, point blank saves, making 38 stops on the night.  Brendan Burke allowed 3 goals on 25 shots.

“If we have a shot at winning this series, you have to make sure you’re winning the special team games.” said Lowry

Steven Hodges led the Royals charge with 2 goals and an assist, as Travis Brown assisted on both power play goals.  Austin Carroll notched the other Victoria goal.

Hodges scores his first of two goals

A trio of Portland skaters had 3 point nights.  Oliver Bjorkstrand and Derrick Pouliot had 2 goals and an assist each, while Brendan Leipsic chipped in with 3 helpers.  Chase Deleo, Taylor Leir and Nic Petan had a two point evenings.

Victoria was without the services of big defenseman Keegan Kanzig who was serving a suspension, the length of which TBD for actions in the Friday night 8-2 loss.

Polivka denies Leir

It gave rookie defenseman Chaz Reddekopp an opportunity to play his first WHL playoff game.

“When we get back into our own arena, we’ll get some home ice advantage and things will start going our way.” Said Hodges

Joe Hicketts defends

Puck drop Monday and Tuesday at 7:05.

-Marlon Martens

A sellout crowd at the Moda Center in Portland

Victoria Royals 3 at Portland Winterhawks 6 - Status: End of Game
Saturday, April 5, 2014 - Moda Center - Portland, OR

Victoria 2 1 0 - 3
Portland 2 2 2 - 6

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Hodges 1 (Brown, Hicketts), 2:03 (PP).
2, Portland, Petan 3 (Leipsic, Bittner), 3:55.
3, Portland, Cederholm 1 (Leier, Bjorkstrand), 4:12.
4, Victoria, Carroll 4 (Brown, Hodges), 19:05 (PP).

Penalties-Leipsic Por (tripping), 1:24; Nelson Vic (roughing), 4:18; Cederholm Por (roughing), 19:01.

2nd Period-
5, Victoria, Hodges 2 (Cote), 7:36.
6, Portland, Pouliot 3 (Leipsic, Petan), 10:08 (PP).
7, Portland, Bjorkstrand 7 (Leipsic, Pouliot), 11:45 (PP).

Penalties-Texeira Por (tripping), 3:52; Walker Vic (hooking), 8:58; Nelson Vic (hooking), 11:11; Hodges Vic (cross checking), 18:50.

3rd Period-
8, Portland, Bjorkstrand 8 (De Leo), 1:40.
9, Portland, Pouliot 4 (De Leo, Leier), 15:21.

Penalties-Crunk Vic (cross checking), 7:04; Leipsic Por (interference), 7:30.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 8-10-7-25.
Portland 12-14-18-44.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 2 / 4;
Portland 2 / 5.

Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 4-2-0-0 (44 shots-38 saves).
Portland, Burke 6-0-0-0 (25 shots-22 saves).

A-10,947
Referees-Chris Crich (20), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Trevor Shively (11).

Derrick Pouliout had 2 goals and an assist