The Royals overcame a 3 goal deficit with 4 straight, but a pair by the Thunderbirds late in the third snapped their two game slide.
“We haven’t felt that we’ve had the competitive juices for the last three games, and tonight we had that.” said Interim Head Coach Enio Sacilotto,
“…maybe we didn’t get the bounce that we needed at the end of the game, but the way we’ve been going it’s a little bit of a start for us.”
Victoria suffered their third consecutie set back, and now play their final game before the Christmas break Wednesday night in Everett.
Seattle was 2 for 5 on the power play, while shutting down all 3 of Victoria’s chances with the man advantage. The Royals were outshot 45-26, as Coleman Vollrath was valiant with 40 saves, while Taran Kozun kicked out 22 shots.
“There were a lot of ups and downs, I thought our compete level and emotion was a lot better than the previous games we’ve played…” said Travis Brown who had a 3 point night, with a goal and two assists.
Greg Chase also had a 3 point night with 3 assists, Tyler Soy had a goal and an assist, while Austin Carroll and Logan Fisher got the other goals for the visitors.
“I think we showed a lot of character and resiliency…any team can fold when they’re down 3-0 half way through a game, but I thought our guys did a great job not giving up and fighting it until the end.” Said Chase.
After a scoreless first, the Thunderbirds scored three goals in a span of 3:56 seconds, with two being on the power play.
Travis Brown would respond less than a minute later, and Austin Carroll notched his team leading 21st late in the middle frame to draw the Royals within one, 3-2.
Tyler Soy would tie the game at 3 midway through the third period, and Logan Fisher would strike :08 seconds later to put the Royals ahead.
Those two goals set the Royals’ franchise record for fastest goals in succession, held previously at :11 seconds by Brandon Manning and Kevin Sundher of the Chilliwack Bruins on Nov.6th, 2010 in Kelowna.
Seattle regained the lead when Donovan Neuls and Ryan Gropp (1g 1a) scored 1:12 apart with under four minutes remaining.
Taylor Crunk decisively won a fight against 6’6 Scott Allan in the middle frame, providing a big lift for his club.
Victoria was without Brandon Magee (upper), and Joe Hicketts (WJ).
Justin Hickman (1g 2a), Lane Pederson and Keegan Kolesar (1g 1a) tallied the other markers for the Thunderbirds. Ethan Bear chipped in with a pair of assists.
Victoria will now head to Everett to take on the Silvertips tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. before they take a nine-day Christmas break. The Royals then return to Victoria to play a pair of games against the Prince George Cougars on Saturday, December 27th and Sunday, December 28th. Game time is 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, and 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.
- Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals 4 at Seattle Thunderbirds 5 - Status: Final
Tuesday, December 16, 2014 - ShoWare Center - Kent, WA
Victoria 0 2 2 - 4
Seattle 0 3 2 - 5
1st Period-
No Scoring.
Penalties-Hauf Sea (high sticking), 6:06; Eansor Sea (tripping), 18:17.
2nd Period-
1, Seattle, Hickman 8 (Gropp, Bear), 1:25 (PP).
2, Seattle, Pederson 4 (Spencer, Holowko), 2:15.
3, Seattle, Kolesar 11 (Bear, Hickman), 5:21 (PP).
4, Victoria, Brown 13 (Walker, Chase), 6:14.
5, Victoria, Carroll 21 (Chase, Soy), 18:47.
Penalties-Gagnon Vic (delay of game), 0:38; Crunk Vic (major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 4:17; Allan Sea (major-fighting), 4:17; Gagnon Vic (roughing), 5:15; Carroll Vic (interference), 6:31; Ibragimov Vic (roughing), 9:19; Gropp Sea (cross checking), 9:19; Khaira Sea (interference), 12:14; Chase Vic (roughing), 16:35.
3rd Period-
6, Victoria, Soy 8 (Chase, Brown), 11:49.
7, Victoria, Fisher 4 (Brown, Gagnon), 11:57.
8, Seattle, Neuls 3 (Eansor), 16:15.
9, Seattle, Gropp 14 (Hickman, Kolesar), 17:27.
Penalties-Chase Vic (major-spearing, game misconduct), 19:42.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 5-10-11-26.
Seattle 10-18-17-45.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 3;
Seattle 2 / 5.
Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 14-11-2-0 (45 shots-40 saves).
Seattle, Kozun 13-10-2-2 (26 shots-22 saves).
A-5,099
Referees-Mark Pearce (5), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Tim Digby (75), Aaron Mills (113).
