The Prince George Cougars earned their first playoff victory in 8 years after doubling up the visiting Victoria Royals 4-2 Wednesday night.
“We know we have to play a lot more consistent, and a lot more on the right side of the puck…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry,
“If you give easy opportunities, if you start trading chances - usually you don’t win hockey games.”
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| Tyler Soy Celebrates his 2nd of Post Season |
The Cougars scored the first 3 goals of the game, by Chase Witala, Jari Erricson, and Sam Ruopp, before Tyler Soy and Logan Fisher notched a pair just :44 seconds apart to bring the Royals to within one heading to the third.
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| Logan Fisher scores on Ty Edmonds. Credit Larry Quigley |
Brad Morrison converted in the final frame, restoring the two goal lead and then held on for the win in front of 4,202 fans. Ruopp and Erricson had a goal and assist each.
Prince George held a 42-24 shot advantage, with Ty Edmonds securing the win, while Coleman Vollrath was valiant in the loss, making 38 saves.
Both the Cougars and the Royals went 1 for 4 on the power play, but the Cats also scored a shorthanded goal in the first period.
- Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals 2 at Prince George Cougars 4 - Status: Final
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 - CN Centre - Prince George, BC
Victoria 0 2 0 - 2
Prince George 1 2 1 - 4
1st Period-
1, Prince George, Witala 3 (Ruopp), 13:23 (SH).
Penalties-Carroll Vic (high sticking), 3:33; Bethune P.g (too many men), 11:39.
2nd Period-
2, Prince George, Erricson 1 (Pochiro, Harkins), 2:22 (PP).
3, Prince George, Ruopp 1 (Andrlik, McDonald), 7:58.
4, Victoria, Soy 2 (Walker, Chase), 13:22 (PP).
5, Victoria, Fisher 1 (Forsberg, Sayers), 14:06.
Penalties-Fushimi Vic (cross checking), 1:50; Bethune P.g (elbowing), 8:37; McDonald P.g (inter. on goaltender), 11:30; Hicketts Vic (slashing), 14:47; Chase Vic (inter. on goaltender, 10-minute misconduct), 17:52.
3rd Period-
6, Prince George, Morrison 1 (Soltes, Erricson), 6:06.
Penalties-Bethune P.g (too many men), 12:02.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 5-10-9-24.
Prince George 14-18-10-42.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 4;
Prince George 1 / 4.
Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 2-1-0-0 (42 shots-38 saves).
Prince George, Edmonds 1-2-0-0 (24 shots-22 saves).
A-4,202
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Brendon Creyke (131), Ryan Gibbons (73).
ROYALS FALL TO COUGARS IN GAME 3
Victoria dropped by Prince George 4-2; Game 5 on Saturday at SOFMC
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Prince George, BC- The Victoria Royals gave up the first three goals of the contest in a 4-2 defeat to the Prince George Cougars in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. The Royals lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
The Cougars’ goals were registered by Chase Witala, Jari Erricson, Sam Ruopp and Brad Morrison. The Royals responded with markers from Tyler Soy and Logan Fisher apart in the second period.
Coleman Vollrath got the nod in net for the Royals and turned aside 38 of the 42 shots he faced. Prince George countered with netminder Ty Edmonds who stopped 22 of 24 shots for the win.
The Royals went 1/4=25.0% on the powerplay, while the Cougars would go 1/4=25.0%.
Victoria will continue their best-of-seven series tomorrow night in Prince George for Game 4 at 7:00 p.m.
The Royals return home for Game 5 on Saturday with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m. Individual playoff tickets, starting at $13.00, 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.
Season Tickets for the 2015-16 Royals season are on sale now. Take advantage of our exclusive Early Bird offer to new season ticket holders by placing a $100 per seat deposit and getting all remaining home games for the first round of the playoffs for free. To arrange a meeting to pick your seats please call 250-220-7889 or visit the Victoria Royals ticket office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
