“Those are big goals (short handed), what it did was even out the special teams game tonight…” - Head Coach Dave Lowry
The Royals fell 3-2 one night earlier.
The win ends Victoria’s 3 game winless slide, while snapping Prince George’s 4 game win streak. They now share 4th place in the West with 22 points each.
Austin Carroll broke a 2-2 tie in the second period for the eventual game winner, just :25 seconds after the Cougars had tied it, the beginning of 4 unanswered. Carroll is now tied for 2nd in league goals with 13.
The Royals scored last minute goals in the both the first and the second period, taking 2-1 and 5-2 leads to the dressing rooms.
“The turning point was Crunk's goal at the end of the first, and Walker’s goal at the end of the second, two goals in the last minute of play - we were able to generate momentum off of that.” Said Lowry
“That really put the dagger in there…” said Walker on notching the 5-2 goal.
In the third Ralph Jarratt scored his first WHL goal, scoring from the center ice line, fooling Rathjen. “It’s kind of funny how it went in,” smiled Jarratt, “…feels good to have it.”
The Royals finished strong, out shooting the Cougars 12-5 in the final frame, and 34-25 overall.
“It was all about how we manage the puck…” said Lowry about finishing strong, “…we wanted to play an intelligent road game, continue to keep some pace on them, and to push and play a good game with the lead.”
The Cougars scored a pair of power play goals on 8 chances, while the Royals streak of power play goals in 9 straight came to an end, going 0 for 5.
Victoria chased Ty Edmonds from the net after scoring their fourth of the night. Former Royals netminder Jared Rathjen made his first appearance of the season, and both netminders ended with 14 saves.
Coleman Vollrath went the distance stopping 23 of 25, one night after backing up Jayden Sittler.
Victoria had 2 point nights from 4 players.
Regan Nagy was the games first star with a short handed goal and assist.
“I don’t think we had first stars back in minor hockey,” grinned Nagy when asked the last time he was given the honour, “I just tried to play my hardest, got some bounces to go my way…we played a good team game tonight, got the win and that’s all that matters.”
Brandon Magee also had a short handed goal and an assist extending his point streak to 9 games and 16 points.
Jack Walker also had a goal and assist, while Joe Hicketts chipped in with 2 helpers, now tied with Madison Bowey in defenseman assists with 19, and two back of Bowey’s rearguard leading 26 points. Hicketts pushed his point streak to 5 games, amassing 9pts (2g 7a).
Joe Hicketts and Dave Lowry now head off to join Team WHL in the Subway Super Series Monday and Tuesday in Saskatoon and Brandon. Lowry will serve as Head Coach. Hicketts will wear the ‘A’ in the second game.
“I’m pretty excited and thrilled for this opportunity,” said Hicketts, “…being named to one of the best defense in the WHL means a lot to me…really looking forward to playing the Russians.”
Up next Victoria plays at Tri City Friday, and Vancouver Saturday.
-Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals 6 at Prince George Cougars 2 - Status: Final
Saturday, November 8, 2014 - CN Centre - Prince George, BC
Victoria 2 3 1 - 6
Prince George 1 1 0 - 2
1st Period-
1, Prince George, Soltes 7 (Collins, Olson), 6:58 (PP).
2, Victoria, Magee 6 (Fisher), 13:34 (SH).
3, Victoria, Crunk 2 (Nagy, Kanzig), 19:19.
Penalties-McAuley P.g (checking to the head), 0:58; Jarratt Vic (interference), 6:48; Carroll Vic (cross checking), 10:58; Crunk Vic (roughing), 13:12; McDonald P.g (10-minute misconduct), 17:06; Ruopp P.g (clipping), 17:06; Carroll Vic (slashing), 20:00.
2nd Period-
4, Prince George, Olson 3 (Erricson), 1:52 (PP).
5, Victoria, Carroll 13 (Walker), 2:17.
6, Victoria, Nagy 2 (Hicketts), 13:16 (SH).
7, Victoria, Walker 6 (Magee, Hicketts), 19:55.
Penalties-Bethune P.g (slashing), 2:54; Brown Vic (hooking), 3:39; served by Campese Vic (too many men), 10:39; Gagnon Vic (roughing), 12:31; Macklin P.g (slashing), 14:46.
3rd Period-
8, Victoria, Jarratt 1 (Reddekopp), 18:06.
Penalties-Carroll Vic (kneeing), 2:03; Hicketts Vic (boarding), 4:24; Babych P.g (roughing), 4:24; Ross P.g (roughing), 14:06.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 9-13-12-34.
Prince George 10-10-5-25.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 5;
Prince George 2 / 8.
Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 9-7-2-0 (25 shots-23 saves).
Prince George,
Edmonds 10-8-0-0 (18 shots-14 saves);
Rathjen 0-0-0-0 (16 shots-14 saves).
A-2,852
Referees-Fraser Lawrence (10), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Brendon Creyke (131), Nathan Van Oosten (115).
