Brandon Magee forced overtime with under two minutes left as the Royals twice overcame two goal deficits. It was Victoria’s 3rd come from behind victory when trailing after 40 minutes.
“Win lose or draw, I think our guys competed hard, and no matter what the score would’ve been, we entertained the fans…”
Said assistant coach Enio Sacilotto,
“I thought it was a great hockey game, and one of the best games we’ve played in a long time.”
Kelowna, the #2 ranked team in the CHL going into the game, had their 7 game win streak snapped, and suffered just their 2nd overtime loss of the year as their record falls to (20-1-2-0, 42pts).
Victoria evened the season series at 1-1, while winning their 2nd game in a row, and 3 of their last 4.
“We just really wanted to win this game…” said forward Regan Nagy, the Ogema, Saskatechewan 17 year old, who had family attending the game.
“…to win this game would really help bring momentum into tomorrow…we battled back…came hard in the overtime and really outplayed them, and that’s what helped us win the game.” continued Nagy who had two great chances to score in the third.
Austin Carroll and Magee had a goal and assist each, while Travis Brown and Tyler Soy chipped in with a pair of helpers each. Jack Walker got the other single for the Royals.
Both clubs used their strong power plays two notch a pair of goals each. Victoria went 2 for 4, while Kelowna’s top rated man advantage went 2 for 5.
Victoria trailed 2-0 in the first on goals by Kris Schmidli and Tyson Baillie, before Walker’s power play goal cut the lead in half heading into the 2nd, when Baillie added his 17th and 2nd of the night to restore the two goal lead, 3-1. Carroll notched his 15th of the year to draw to within one going into the final frame where Coleman Vollrath shut the door the rest of the way, making 28 saves on the night for his 11th win.
Jackson Whistle allowed 4 goals on 28 shots, suffering just his 2nd overtime loss.
Victoria defenseman Ryan Gagnon and Kelowna forward Rodney Southam were both given fighting majors and game misconducts for a ‘staged fight’ in the first period.
Baillie was 2nd star with 3 points, 2 goals and an assist, while Jesse Lees added a pair of helpers.
The WHL’s leading goal getter, Rourke Chartier with 23, was held pointless and had his franchise tying streak of goals in 10 games halted. Chartier is now 2nd in overall points with 40, 2nd to teammate Nick Merkley’s 41 who picked up an assist in the loss.
Royals Joe Hicketts remains on top of the defenseman scoring race with an assist bringing his total to 29 points, while Madison Bowey kept pace in 2nd, also collecitng a helper for his 27th point.
Austin Carroll remains tied for 3rd in league goals with 15, two back of Baillie. He’s first in power play goals with 9.
With another multiple point game, Magee now has 23 points in 12 games since returning from his suspension.
The Royals improve to 6-2-2 at home, and 3-2 in overtime games. They kicked off a 4 game homestand which will also see a visit from Everett on Friday and Regina on Saturday.
The two clubs square off again in Victoria Wednesday night.
-Marlon Martens
Kelowna Rockets 3 at Victoria Royals 4 (OT) - Status: Final OT
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Kelowna 2 1 0 0 - 3
Victoria 1 1 1 1 - 4
1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Schmidli 4 (Lees, Baillie), 13:39 (PP).
2, Kelowna, Baillie 16 (Lees, Soustal), 14:48.
3, Victoria, Walker 7 (Reddekopp, Soy), 17:43 (PP).
Penalties-Southam Kel (major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct, game misconduct), 12:20; Gagnon Vic (major-fighting, game misconduct), 12:20; Crunk Vic (inter. on goaltender), 13:12; Merkley Kel (tripping), 16:56; Magee Vic (slashing), 19:23.
2nd Period-
4, Kelowna, Baillie 17 (Merkley, Bowey), 1:38 (PP).
5, Victoria, Carroll 15 (Magee, Brown), 6:04 (PP).
Penalties-Hicketts Vic (closing hand on puck), 0:36; Merkley Kel (hooking), 4:39; Baillie Kel (checking to the head), 8:25; Merkley Kel (slashing), 16:35.
3rd Period-
6, Victoria, Magee 7 (Carroll, Hicketts), 18:03.
Penalties-Brown Vic (delay of game), 5:35; Hicketts Vic (kneeing), 9:40.
OT Period-
7, Victoria, Blomqvist 10 (Soy, Brown), 3:16.
Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-
Kelowna 11-9-9-2-31.
Victoria 14-10-5-3-32.
Power Play Opportunities-
Kelowna 2 / 5;
Victoria 2 / 4.
Goalies-
Kelowna, Whistle 16-1-2-0 (32 shots-28 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 11-8-2-0 (31 shots-28 saves).
A-3,485
Referees-Ryan Benbow (62), Kyle Kowalski (15).
Linesmen-Blake Copeland (95), Riley Friesen (76).
