“We just didn’t play a full 60 minutes, like they did…” said Soy who earned his 5th of the year in the final frame.
After a scoreless first, the Americans used a pair of goals in the middle frame and two more just :31 seconds apart in the third to build a 4-0 lead.
Beau McCue was the first star on a 4 point night, with a goal and three assists. Recently acquired overage import, Richard Nejezchleb had a pair of power play goals as Tri City went 2 for 6 with the man advantage. Justin Gutierrez (1g 1a) and Brian Williams (2a) also had multiple point games.
“We started the game well, but tailed off in the second and third…took a lot of undisciplined penalties and they cost us.” Said Logan Fisher
The Royals were 0 for 4 on the power play and outshot 35-25 on the night. Eric Comrie earned his 11th victory, while Coleman Vollrath suffered the defeat.
“We weren’t as assertive as we wanted to be, weren’t taking the puck to the net, and getting as many shots as we could have.” Said Fisher.
“Vollrath made a lot of big saves for us tonight, but it just didn’t go our way.”
The Royals had called up 17 year old AP Keith Anderson, a 6th round pick in 2012.
“I wish we had a different outcome, but it felt pretty good.” Said Anderson about his first WHL regular season game. “I had a lot of immediate family in the stands, mom and dad, two brothers – they said they were proud.” He beamed.
Anderson’s father is the Orthopedic Surgeon for the Americans, and he used to fill the clubs water bottles while growing up.
“It was kind of like a dream…” he said about making his debut in the rink he grew up going to with his Dad.
“Keith played well for his first game, good to see him get into a few plays and taking the puck to the net.” Said Fisher.
Victoria had taken 3 of 4 points on Tri City’s visit to the Island two weeks ago with a 4-1 win and a 5-4 overtime loss. The Americans move 4 point up on the Royals who remain tied for 4th in the West, tied with the Cougars.
Victoria plays in Vancouver Saturday night before returning to the Island to open a four game homestand against Kelowna Tuesday.
-Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals 1 at Tri-City Americans 4 - Status: End of Game
Friday, November 14, 2014 - Toyota Center - Kennewick, WA
Victoria 0 0 1 - 1
Tri-City 0 2 2 - 4
1st Period-
No Scoring.
Penalties-Vickerman T.c (tripping), 5:03; Bowles T.c (hooking), 13:27; Reddekopp Vic (checking from behind), 15:50.
2nd Period-
1, Tri-City, McCue 9 (Gutierrez, Coghlan), 13:06.
2, Tri-City, Nejezchleb 3 (McCue, Williams), 19:07 (PP).
Penalties-Carlo T.c (interference), 7:24; Carroll Vic (hooking), 7:30; Wotherspoon T.c (interference), 8:44; Carroll Vic (roughing), 13:44; Gagnon Vic (kneeing), 17:43.
3rd Period-
3, Tri-City, Nejezchleb 4 (Williams, McCue), 4:39 (PP).
4, Tri-City, Gutierrez 4 (McCue, Nickles), 5:10.
5, Victoria, Soy 5 (Walker, Kanzig), 11:17.
Penalties-Fushimi Vic (tripping), 3:58; Fisher Vic (cross checking), 6:58; Wotherspoon T.c (roughing), 6:58; Magee Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd., 10-minute misconduct), 12:03.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 7-9-9-25.
Tri-City 12-15-8-35.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 4;
Tri-City 2 / 6.
Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 9-8-2-0 (35 shots-31 saves).
Tri-City, Comrie 11-6-0-0 (25 shots-24 saves).
A-3,903
Referees-Sean Raphael (28), Adam Griffiths (36).
Linesmen-Jason Michelbook (112), Trevor Shively (11).
