“You make poor decisions at critical times early in the hockey game against the #2 ranked team in the CHL now, they’re going to capitalize…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry,
“We made it easy for them, we did generate some opportunities, but the difference was they scored early - and we didn’t.”
The Rockets built period leads of 3-0 and 5-0, as a trio of their players had 3 point nights.
“Three mistakes in the first, and they scored on three,” said defenseman Joe Hicketts, “…you give them mistakes, they’re going to capitalize – and I think that’s what killed us tonight.”
Whistle was the number one star with 27 saves, while Coleman Vollrath played the first 2 periods, stopping 17 of 22. Jayden Sittler went 6 for 6 in the third in his first appearance with Victoria.
Kelowna with the #1 power play in the league heading in went 2 for 5, scoring both in the middle frame. Victoria’s 5th best power play was 1 for 4.
“Special teams are critical, they go and score a couple power play goals. We had a chance in the first period – didn’t get rewarded.” Said Lowry,
“In these games you need your top players to be your top players, you need your goalie to be better than their goalie and tonight it was a case of we created, didn’t capitalize, and they took advantage of our mistakes.”
It was an emotionally fought game, with 128 minutes in penalties combined. Most of the minutes came late in the third.
“I don’t like the way the game ended, but I liked the fact we stuck together…” said Lowry.
Nick Merkley the leagues leading point producer, opened the scoring with his 6th. Justin Kirkland made it 2-0 and Tyson Baillie gave the home team a 3-0 lead with his 12th, 2nd most in the league - heading into the middle frame.
A pair of goals with the man advantage by Madison Bowey and Rourke Chartier – his league leading 15th, put Kelowna up 5-0 going into the third.
Bowey, Chartier and Merkley all had 3 point nights with 1 goal and 2 assists each. Justin Kirkland had 2 points (1g 1a). Merkley now leads the league with 30 points, Chartier 2nd with 27. Bowey continues to lead all defenseman with 25 points, 4 up on Hicketts who’s 2nd.
Magee extends his point streak to 7 games and 12 points (4g 8a), and with an assist, Joe Hicketts to 4 games with 6 points (1g 5a). Axel Blomqvist streak of points in 7 games came to and end as did Austin Carrolls run of points in 6 straight.
Tyler Soy drew back into the line up for Victoria coming off injury. Not dressed was netminder Evan Smith, defenseman Ralph Jarratt, Dante Hannoun and Matthew Campese.
The Rockets improve to 7-0 on home ice this season, while the Royals fall to 4-6 on the road.
They’ll meet next on the Island for a pair November 18th and 19th.
Victoria is now in a 4 way tie for 3rd in the West with Prince George, Tri City and Kamloops – all with 20 points.
Victoria continues their 3 game BC Division road trip with a pair in Prince George Friday and Saturday, their first encounters of the season.
-Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals 1 at Kelowna Rockets 5 - Status: Final
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC
Victoria 0 0 1 - 1
Kelowna 3 2 0 - 5
1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Merkley 6 (Chartier, Martin), 5:44.
2, Kelowna, Kirkland 7 (Soustal), 10:15. 3,
Kelowna, Baillie 12 (Kirkland, Bowey), 14:25.
Penalties-Bowey Kel (roughing), 7:33.
2nd Period-
4, Kelowna, Bowey 7 (Merkley, Chartier), 9:11 (PP).
5, Kelowna, Chartier 15 (Bowey, Merkley), 18:49 (PP).
Penalties-Hicketts Vic (slashing), 3:34; Hicketts Vic (roughing), 8:25; Skapski Vic (roughing), 8:25; Schmidli Kel (roughing), 8:25; Martin Kel (hooking), 13:22; Carroll Vic (roughing), 18:20; Magee Vic (cross checking), 18:20; Martin Kel (roughing), 18:20.
3rd Period-
6, Victoria, Magee 4 (Hicketts), 4:49 (PP).
Penalties-Bowey Kel (high sticking), 0:51; Soustal Kel (interference), 4:33; Kanzig Vic (roughing), 8:02; Brown Vic (10-minute misconduct), 15:41; Nagy Vic (roughing), 15:41; Heffley Kel (10-minute misconduct), 15:41; Stadel Kel (roughing), 15:41; Carroll Vic (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 16:20; Nagy Vic (major-fighting), 18:13; Stadel Kel (major-fighting), 18:13; Gagnon Vic (major-fighting, game misconduct), 18:49; Kanzig Vic (checking from behind, major-fighting), 18:49; Walker Vic (roughing), 18:49; Goulbourne Kel (instigator, major-fighting, game misconduct), 18:49; Martin Kel (roughing), 18:49; Southam Kel (major-fighting, game misconduct), 18:49.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 14-8-6-28.
Kelowna 15-7-6-28.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 4;
Kelowna 2 / 5.
Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 8-7-2-0 (22 shots-17 saves); Sittler 0-0-0-0 (6 shots-6 saves).
Kelowna, Whistle 13-1-1-0 (28 shots-27 saves).
A-4,761
Referees-Kevin Bennett (29), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Kevin Crowell (141), Dave McMahon (134).
