“I love the way we started the game, I thought that first goal was huge - it allowed us to settle in…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry, who’s club travelled all night after the win in Kamloops one night earlier,
“You get in, (players) get to bed at 5am and to come out with the effort, come out with the lead and the way we closed the game out - I was really proud of our guys tonight.”
Victoria wraps up their 3 games in 3 night road trip with a pair of wins, collecting four of possible six points, after a 5-2 win at Kamloops Saturday, and 7-3 loss in Kelowna Friday.
Austin Carroll had a goal and assist, while Tyler Soy (1g 1a) and Joe Hicketts (2a) had a pair of points each. Alex Forsberg notched the other goal, while Coleman Vollrath made 28 saves for his 23rd win of the year.
Seattle’s Taran Kozun made 23 saves on 28 shots before being replaced by Logan Flodell who stopped all eight shots he faced.
Victoria led 3-0 after 20 minutes, and 5-2 after 40 minutes. Alex Forsberg’s goal with 11 seconds left in the middle frame, restored the 3 goal lead heading into the final frame.
“That really solidified our tonight…” said Lowry on the late goal by Forsberg.
The Royals had to kill off 11 minutes worth of penalties in the third, allowing just a single goal in the process while Ryan Gagnon was sent off for 5 minutes and issued a game misconduct for a check to the head call.
“I thought the penalty killing was the difference in the game…” commented Lowry,
“We gave up the one goal on the five minute penalty, but were able to lock down the rest of the night - that’s what you expect, and that’s what you need this time of year.”
Walker sealed it with his hat trick goal into the empty net.
“A lot of credit to my linemates tonight, and even at the end Joe Hicketts passing me the puck for the empty netter, that was awesome and felt good tonight.” said Walker.
“I think we did a great job of finishing tonight, I still think we can improve on discipline and looking at the next game at home bringing back the same energy we had tonight.”
Victoria was 1 for 3 on the power play, while Seattle was 2 for 6.
The Royals are back to .500 on the road this year (14-14-0-1) after evening the season series at a game a piece with the Thunderbirds.
Hicketts runs his assist streak to 9 games, with 12 helpers in that span while continuing to lead all defenseman in scoring in the WHL with 55 points.
Soy now has 4 goals in his last 3 games, and 7 over his last 5.
Carroll who notched his 33rd, is on a 4 game goal scoring streak with 5 in that span.
Up next, Victoria entertains the Moose Jaw Warriors Tuesday at Noon, for Hockey Hooky day. Kelowna visits for a pair of back to back games Friday and Saturday.
- Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals 6 at Seattle Thunderbirds 3 - Status: End of Game
Sunday, February 15, 2015 - ShoWare Center - Kent, WA
Victoria 3 2 1 - 6
Seattle 0 2 1 - 3
1st Period-
1, Victoria, Carroll 33 (Brown, Crunk), 3:52.
2, Victoria, Walker 13 (Magee, Carroll), 14:00 (PP).
3, Victoria, Walker 14 (Soy, Chase), 15:49.
Penalties-Jarratt Vic (hooking), 9:31; Gropp Sea (tripping), 12:05; Dmytriw Vic (high sticking), 18:28.
2nd Period-
4, Seattle, Smith 7 (Barzal), 0:27 (PP).
5, Victoria, Soy 24 (Walker, Hicketts), 10:26.
6, Seattle, Eansor 10 (Kolesar, Theodore), 13:06.
7, Victoria, Forsberg 23 (Carroll), 19:49.
Penalties-Chase Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 1:38; Hannoun Vic (too many men), 1:38; Kozun Sea (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 1:38; Spencer Sea (kneeing), 5:13; Kolesar Sea (kneeing), 15:35.
3rd Period-
8, Seattle, Lipsbergs 7 (Theodore, Barzal), 7:21 (PP). 9, Victoria, Walker 15 (Hicketts), 18:39 (EN). Penalties-Fisher Vic (delay of game), 0:15; Gagnon Vic (major - checking to the head, game misconduct), 4:10; Brown Vic (tripping), 10:59.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 13-16-8-37.
Seattle 7-6-18-31.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 3;
Seattle 2 / 6.
Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 23-12-3-1 (31 shots-28 saves).
Seattle, Kozun 26-15-3-3 (28 shots-23 saves); Flodell 1-2-0-1 (8 shots-8 saves).
A-4,568
Referees-Chris Crich (20), Nick Swaine (35).
Linesmen-Zach Brooks (26), Ron Dietterle (121).
