Recap: VIC 3 - KEL 7 [Series 4-1 Rockets]

The Victoria Royals fourth season came to a close Friday night, falling 4 games to 1 to the host Kelowna Rockets after a 7-3 loss.

“Disappointed…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry, on the 5 game, second round exit,

“I thought we left too much on the table.  Game 2 (overtime loss in Kelowna) you feel might be a critical turning point, and I really liked our first period tonight.”

The Ceremonial Handshake

The Royals took their only lead of the game with a pair of first period goals :23 seconds apart by Jack Walker and Brandon Fushimi in the first to take a 2-1 lead.  Josh Morrissey, who had a five point night with 2 goals and 3 assists, responded 70 seconds later to tie the game at 2 heading into the second.

“You give up a goal in the final minute (of the first to tie 2-2), those are critical moments in a game.” said Lowry,

 For us to give up that goal, and they made a goalie change (to start the 2nd) and we didn’t have an answer, didn’t have a push, we got put back on our heels and that to me was the difference.”

The Royals season comes to an end.

The Rockets scored 6 straight, from the first period and into the third to take a 7-2 lead, before graduating overagers Brandon Magee and Austin Carroll assisted on Travis Brown’s late power goal.

“It’s pretty sad,” said Magee on seeing his Major Junior career come to a close,

“It’s been quite a journey, being with the same organization for the past 5 years has been really cool.  Just to see the long road finally come to an end has been a heart breaker.”

Kelowna outshot Victoria 39-21 overall and 17-5 in the middle frame where they notched a pair of power play goals, part of a 3 goal second period.

The Rockets went 2 for 4 with the man advantage, while the Royals were 1 for 6.

Jackson Whistle started the game for Kelowna, but was replaced by Michael Herringer to start the second after allowing 2 goals on 9 shots.  Herringer went 11 for 12.

Justin Paulic made his second straight start for Victoria but was replaced by Coleman Vollrath after allowing 5 goals on 26 shots.  Vollrath kicked out 11 of 13.

Kelowna’s Leon Draisaitl had 3 points with a goal and two assists, while Madison Bowey and 3 helpers.  Nick Merkley chipped in with a pair of assists, while Rodney Southam and Cole Linaker had a goal and an assist each.  Tyson Baillie and Rourke Chartier rounded out their scoring.

The Rockets advance to the third round and will face either the Winterhawks or the Silvertips.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 3 at Kelowna Rockets 7 - Status: Final
Friday, April 17, 2015 - Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC

Victoria 2 0 1 - 3
Kelowna 2 3 2 - 7

1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Draisaitl 4 (Kirkland, Morrissey), 1:24.
2, Victoria, Walker 4 (Chase), 17:54.
3, Victoria, Fushimi 2 (Fisher, Crunk), 18:17.
4, Kelowna, Morrissey 1 (Merkley, Bowey), 19:26.

Penalties-Soustal Kel (interference), 3:15; Stadel Kel (roughing), 8:25; Carroll Vic (roughing), 19:01; Baillie Kel (embellishment), 19:01.

2nd Period-
5, Kelowna, Southam 2 (Linaker, Johansen), 2:18.
6, Kelowna, Baillie 7 (Morrissey, Draisaitl), 14:52 (PP).
7, Kelowna, Morrissey 2 (Bowey, Draisaitl), 16:53 (PP).

Penalties-Stephens Kel (checking to the head), 3:10; Dmytriw Vic (major-boarding, game misconduct), 11:54; Merkley Kel (roughing), 15:52; Walker Vic (hooking), 16:13.

3rd Period-
8, Kelowna, Chartier 7 (Bowey, Merkley), 7:35.
9, Kelowna, Linaker 2 (Southam, Morrissey), 13:11.
10, Victoria, Brown 2 (Carroll, Magee), 13:59 (PP).

Penalties-Quinney Kel (closing hand on puck), 3:41; Crunk Vic (slashing), 5:32; Reddekopp Vic (cross checking), 10:38; Bowey Kel (cross checking), 13:35.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 9-5-7-21.
Kelowna 10-17-12-39.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 6;
Kelowna 2 / 4.

Goalies-
Victoria, Paulic 1-1-1-0 (26 shots-21 saves); Vollrath 4-3-0-0 (13 shots-11 saves). Kelowna, Whistle 6-0-1-0 (9 shots-7 saves); Herringer 2-0-0-0 (12 shots-11 saves).

A-5,226
Referees-Adam Byblow (23), Steve Papp (17).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Bevan Mills (98).