“I love scoring goals and it’s been a couple games since I scored last - so it was great feeling to get 3 tonight.” Said Blomqvist, who’s waiting to hear if he makes Team Sweden’s World Junior selection camp roster which comes out Monday.
Down 3-2 heading into the third, the Royals scored 4 unanswered, including two on the power play to double the Blades (7-21-2-0-, 16pts).
“I thought when we brought it back and evened it up (at 2 in the 2nd period), then we would take over the game. We had power play and then we gave up a shorthanded goal…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry,
“We were frustrated on the power play in the 2nd period and I thought in the third we made a couple changes, we had a little more urgency, and ended up scoring.”
It was the fourth time this season Victoria has come from behind to win, when trailing after 40 minutes (4-12-1-0).
“I think we picked up our urgency…” said Lowry about 4 straight goals in the final frame,
“I thought for two periods we had some guys that weren’t dialed into the game the way they needed to be. We got away with it, and were able to find a way in the third period to really elevate our pace.”
The loss pushed Saskatoon’s winless streak to 6 games (0-5-1-0), and drop to 0-3 on their BC Division road swing.
Victoria is back in the win column after a 6-4 loss to Portland Tuesday, improving to 1-1 on their current 4 game homestand.
Coleman Vollrath earned his 13th victory with 26 saves, while Trevor Martin allowed 5 goals on 32 shots.
The Royals 3rd best power play continued to roll, going 2 for 4, while they shut down both Blades man advantages.
“The good thing is, we were able to maintain the momentum after.” Said Lowry on the pair of third period power play goals.
Saskatoon led 1-0 after 20 minutes on Ryan Coghlan’s 2nd, a Nanaimo native with friends and family in the stands.
Blomqvist evened the score early in the second, but the Blades retook the lead on Alex Forsbergs 11th. Joe Hicketts blast from the point evened the game at 2, but with just over a minute to go in the middle frame, Brett Stovin scored a shorthanded goal to retake the lead 3-2 heading into the third.
Blomqvist scored his 2nd of the game just :30 seconds into the final frame on the power play to draw even a third time. Chaz Reddekopp earned his first of the year, which ultimately was the game the winner. Blomqvist earned his third and 13th of the year late in the third, before Chase added an empty netter to close out the scoring.
It was Victoria’s first hat trick of the season.
Greg Chase also had a 3 point night with a goal and two assists, while earning two point nights where Joe Hicketts with a goal and an assist, and Dante Hannoun and Austin Carroll with a pair of helpers each.
Hannoun returned to the line up after missing 17 games due to injury, and was named 2nd star.
“I was just working hard, doing what I was supposed to do…I was happy to get to play with one of the top guys.” Said Hannoun, the 16 year old, first round bantam selection of the Royals.
Hicketts continues to lead all defenseman in the CHL in scoring with 38 points, including 30 assists. Carroll is tied with Hicketts in points with 38, which includes the 2nd most goals in the WHL with 20.
Up next a visit from Winnipeg Jets first rounder, Josh Morrissey and the Prince Albert Raiders who are on a 2 game win streak after Friday night’s 5-4 win in Kamloops. They’ve won 8 of 13 under former Royals Head Coach and GM Marc Habscheid.
Friday December 12th vs. the Vancouver Giants for their fourth annual Teddy Bear Toss Night. All teddy bears collected on Friday will be distributed to local charities. Puck drop for both contests is set for 7:05 p.m. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.victoriaroyals.com .
- Marlon Martens
Saskatoon Blades 3 at Victoria Royals 6 - Status: Final
Friday, December 5, 2014 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Saskatoon 1 2 0 - 3
Victoria 0 2 4 - 6
1st Period-
1, Saskatoon, Coghlan 2 (McKechnie), 2:31.
Penalties-Reddekopp Vic (checking from behind), 13:40; Reddekopp Vic (inter. on goaltender), 15:47.
2nd Period-
2, Victoria, Blomqvist 11 (Soy, Carroll), 3:53.
3, Saskatoon, Forsberg 11 (Soshnin, McKechnie), 8:17.
4, Victoria, Hicketts 8 (Hannoun, Fushimi), 16:16.
5, Saskatoon, Stovin 8 (Zajac, Nogier), 18:48 (SH).
Penalties-Henry Sas (checking from behind), 9:18; Coghlan Sas (interference), 12:44; Schacher Sas (holding), 18:38.
3rd Period-
6, Victoria, Blomqvist 12 (Hannoun, Carroll), 0:30 (PP).
7, Victoria, Reddekopp 1 (Chase, Magee), 3:56 (PP).
8, Victoria, Blomqvist 13 (Chase, Hicketts), 16:29.
9, Victoria, Chase 6 (Brown), 19:43 (EN).
Penalties-Forsberg Sas (charging), 2:00; Higson Sas (roughing), 12:38; Soy Vic (roughing), 12:38.
Shots on Goal-
Saskatoon 9-12-8-29.
Victoria 8-11-14-33.
Power Play Opportunities-
Saskatoon 0 / 2;
Victoria 2 / 4.
Goalies-
Saskatoon, Martin 2-7-2-0 (32 shots-27 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 13-9-2-0 (29 shots-26 saves).
A-4,713
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Mark Pearce (5).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Jeff MacAdams.
