Friday 27 November 2015

Recap: KEL 3 - VIC 1

Jackson Whistle made 34 saves to backstop the visiting Kelowna Rockets (19-5-1-0, 39pts) to a 3-1 victory over the Victoria Royals (16-8-1-1, 34pts) Friday night.

“I thought our guys played hard,” said Royals head coach Dave Lowry, as his club out shot the visitors 35-23,

“I think the difference in the game was special teams, they won that battle.”

The Rockets went 2 for 4 on the power play, while the Royals went 0 for 6.

Kelowna, who is ranked 4th in the CHL Top 10, extend their winning streak to 5 games, and points in 11, while Victoria (honourable mention) had their streak of points in 3 straight snapped.

The Rockets extend their Western Conference lead to 5 points over the Royals, and will meet again Saturday night. 

“For us it’s a great opportunity to see how we can respond.” Said Lowry on the quick turnaround.

The season series is now even at a game a piece.

Kelowna led 1-0 after 20 with a Calvin Thurkauf deflection, and the up 2-0 after the 2nd as Tyson Baillie converted on a 2 on 1.

“You make mistakes against a team that going into tonight has scored 100 goals for, you’re going to pay a price,” said Lowry.

In the third, Victoria’s leading scorer Alex Forsberg converted on a passing playing from Dante Hannoun and Matthew Phillips to cut the lead to one.

“I liked our resiliency, the way we came out, and I liked the way we battled right to the end.” Commented Lowry.

A late man advantage for Kelowna allowed the insurance maker by Justin Kirkland with 19 seconds left.

“I didn’t like the fact that we had to kill a penalty, where I thought it was a very marginal call late in the game...” Said Lowry,

“That’s the difference, it takes away an opportunity, where we were on our toes, we had them hemmed in, and for that to take us out and lose all momentum – it’s disappointing.”

The Rockets got a goal and assist performance from WHL Player of the Week Tyson Baillie and Nashville draft pick Justin Kirkland.

Coleman Vollrath took the loss for the home team making 20 stops. 

20 year old forward Logan Fisher played in his 200th consecutive game including playoffs.

The Royals look for the split Saturday night, with puck drop at 7pm, and pregame show on The Zone @ 91.3fm at 6:40.

- Marlon Martens

Kelowna Rockets 3 at Victoria Royals 1 - Status: Final
Friday, November 27, 2015 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Kelowna 1 1 1 - 3
Victoria 0 0 1 - 1

1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Thurkauf 7 (Linaker, Merkley), 11:58 (PP).

Penalties-Thurkauf Kel (high sticking), 1:27; Anderson Vic (interference), 10:13.

2nd Period-
2, Kelowna, Baillie 17 (Soustal, Kirkland), 11:01.

Penalties-Stephens Kel (interference), 5:11; Dube Kel (roughing), 7:31; Southam Kel (charging), 7:44; Soy Vic (interference), 8:31; Anderson Vic (slashing), 11:10; Thurkauf Kel (kneeing), 12:45.

3rd Period-
3, Victoria, Forsberg 8 (Hannoun, Phillips), 6:40.
4, Kelowna, Kirkland 9 (Johansen, Baillie), 19:40 (PP).

Penalties-Foote Kel (delay of game), 7:01; Walker Vic (tripping), 18:43.

Shots on Goal-
Kelowna 9-7-7-23.
Victoria 10-14-11-35.

Power Play Opportunities-
Kelowna 2 / 4;
Victoria 0 / 6.

Goalies-
Kelowna, Whistle 14-3-1-0 (35 shots-34 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 13-7-0-1 (23 shots-20 saves).

A-4,885

Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Jeff MacAdams, Michael McGowan (41).