“We did a lot of good things tonight, and that’s what makes it disappointing.” - Royals Head Coach Dave Lowry
The Royals had their streak of points in 7 snapped, while the Winterhawks win their 6th in a row and take the season series 3-1.
Victoria out shot the opposition 39-36, and 16-10 in the third while hitting two posts late, but could not find the equalizer.
“I thought our guys played well, played hard. We made a couple mistakes and against a good team like Portland, they’re opportunistic and they found a way to capatalize,” said Lowry,
“I was really pleased with how we played and how hard we competed.”
The game was tied at 1-1 after 20 minutes, and at 2 after 40 minutes.
Portland jumped to a 4-2 lead in the third, which only last :18 seconds as Forsberg notched his 2nd of the night, and 21st of the season.
“I thought we played pretty good tonight,” said Forsberg, “We made a couple mistakes and that’s really what hurt us. (Hill) is a big goalie and he played well tonight and was definitely a factor.”
Adin Hill in his 14th straight start earned the win with 36 saves, while Justin Paulic took his first loss as a Royal in five starts stopping 32 shots.
Regan Nagy scored the other goal for Victoria.
The Royals were 0 for 2 on the power play, and shut down all 3 Winterhawk man advantages. Victoria's penalty killing is 25 for 27 over their last 8 games.
Chase DeLeo, and Alex Schoeborn had a goal and assist each for Portland, while Blake Heinrich chipped in with a pair of helpers. Nic Petan and Oliver Bjorkstrand were held off the scoresheet.
Forsberg now has a 4 game goal streak with 5 goals in that span including 1 assist. Chase and Magee had their 3 game goal streak snapped.
Austin Carroll extended his point streak to 5 games with 6 points (2g 4a).
Victoria now heads into Spokane for a game Friday night, and then at Tri City Saturday before returning home.
-Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals 3 at Portland Winterhawks 4 - Status: Final
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - Moda Center - Portland, OR
Victoria 1 1 1 - 3
Portland 1 1 2 - 4
1st Period-
1, Portland, Turgeon 15 (McKenzie, Iverson), 15:46.
2, Victoria, Nagy 5 (Jarratt), 18:20.
Penalties-Fisher Vic (cross checking), 10:44; Forsberg Vic (tripping), 19:19.
2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Forsberg 20 (Carroll, Hicketts), 12:41.
4, Portland, Schoenborn 15 (De Leo, Koules), 17:20.
Penalties-Cederholm Por (tripping), 18:46.
3rd Period-
5, Portland, Henry 5 (Heinrich, Schoenborn), 3:08.
6, Portland, De Leo 22 (Koules, Heinrich), 13:21.
7, Victoria, Forsberg 21 (Magee), 13:39.
Penalties-Petan Por (slashing), 4:25; Soy Vic (interference), 6:26; Carroll Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:59; Heinrich Por (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:59.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 11-12-16-39.
Portland 10-16-10-36.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 2;
Portland 0 / 3.
Goalies-
Victoria, Paulic 10-9-1-1 (36 shots-32 saves).
Portland, Hill 18-7-0-0 (39 shots-36 saves).
A-5,798
Referees-Jason Nissen (91), Nathan Wieler (18).
Linesmen-Jarrod Boman (116), Joel Nyberg (145).
