The Kelowna Rockets took a 3-0 best of seven playoff series lead Tuesday night after defeating the host Victoria Royals 4-2.
The Royals find themselves in a must win situation Wednesday night with game 4 in Victoria.
“We got away from our game in the second period,” said Head Coach Dave Lowry,
“We got out shot 17-5 that usually spending an enormous amount of time in your end, which usually is indicative that your killing penalties - and that was the case.”
The Rockets outshot the Royals 36-30, while scoring two power play goals on six chances, and adding one short-handed.
“At the end of the day you give a team with this skill 6 power plays, it’s usually the difference in the hockey game - and once again it was.” said Lowry.
Victoria was 0 for 6 on the man advantage.
Kelowna’s Leon Draisaitl had a goal and an assist, while four different Rockets hit the scoresheet and Tyson Baillie chipped in with a pair of assists.
Victoria trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes and 4-2 after 40.
“They’re a very good hockey team, they’re very opportunisitic. When we make mistakes they’ve made us pay for it - and that’s what good teams do.”
Kelowna’s Jackson Whistle made 28 saves for the win, while Coleman Vollrath started for the Royals and made 24 saves on 28 shots after 2 periods, while Justin Paulic came in for the third stopping all 8 shots.
Victoria’s Alex Forsberg opened the scoring and Greg Chase pulled them even in the middle frame at 2-2, but Kelowna added two more goals in the second, and shut the door in the third.
Nick Merkley, Gage Quinney and Madison Bowey also scored for the Rockets.
Game 5 if necessary will take place on Friday in Kelowna with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m. The series will return to Victoria on Sunday for Game 6 at 7:05 p.m. (if necessary).
Individual playoff tickets, starting at $14.50, are on sale at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at the arena or over the phone at 250-220-7777. Avoid any lines and choose the seats you want by using the “Pick Your Own” seat map, available 24/7, online at www.selectyourtickets.com.
- Marlon Martens
Kelowna Rockets 4 at Victoria Royals 2 - Status: Final
Tuesday, April 14, 2015 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Kelowna 2 2 0 - 4
Victoria 1 1 0 - 2
1st Period-
1, Victoria, Forsberg 3 (Magee, Carroll), 1:03.
2, Kelowna, Draisaitl 3 8:18 (SH).
3, Kelowna, Merkley 2 (Martin, Chartier), 14:10 (PP).
Penalties-Southam Kel (kneeing), 6:27; Quinney Kel (interference), 9:21; Brown Vic (hooking), 13:42; Chase Vic (inter. on goaltender), 16:38.
2nd Period-
4, Victoria, Chase 6 (Walker, Soy), 0:54.
5, Kelowna, Quinney 4 (Baillie), 9:02.
6, Kelowna, Bowey 4 (Baillie, Draisaitl), 15:16 (PP).
Penalties-Hicketts Vic (roughing), 6:47; Merkley Kel (hooking), 11:09; Magee Vic (high sticking, high sticking), 14:29; Gagnon Vic (tripping), 17:46.
3rd Period- No Scoring.
Penalties-Soustal Kel (high sticking), 3:12; Merkley Kel (charging), 17:26; Draisaitl Kel (slashing), 19:56.
Shots on Goal-
Kelowna 11-17-8-36.
Victoria 12-5-13-30.
Power Play Opportunities-
Kelowna 2 / 6;
Victoria 0 / 6.
Goalies-
Kelowna, Whistle 6-0-0-0 (30 shots-28 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 4-3-0-0 (28 shots-24 saves); Paulic 0-0-1-0 (8 shots-8 saves).
A-5,517
Referees-Chris Crich (20), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Ryan Gibbons (73), Bevan Mills (98).
