Recap: VIC 5 - VAN 4

The visiting Victoria Royals (16-7-0-1) overcame a 3 goal first period deficit to defeat the Vancouver Giants 5-4 Friday night.

“Our preparation tonight wasn’t where it needs to be,” said head coach Dave Lowry, who’s club scored 4 goals in the middle frame to go up by a goal heading into the third.

“…but I give our guys a lot of credit for finding a way to battle back and win a big game.”

The Giants tied it  at 4, before Ryan Gagnon hammered home the eventual game winner.

Griffen Outhouse earned the victory stopping 16 of 17 after coming in to start the 2^nd period.

“Sure did,” said Lowry when asked if the goaltending change provided a spark,

“You can’t blame the goaltending,” said Lowry on Vollrath allowing 3 goals on 8 shots in the first,

“Sometimes you just try to change things up and (Outhouse) came in and made some big saves later on in the game for us.”

Ryan Kubic took the loss allowing 5 goals on 28 shots.

The line of Alex Forsberg (1g 2a), Dante Hannoun (1g 1a) and Matthew Phillips (1g 1a) contributed 7 points.  Jack Walker also scored for the Royals.

Phillips moves into 3^rd in rookie scoring with 21 points, 5 off the top, while leading all freshmen in goals with 13.

Joe Hicketts picked up an assist and promptly set the franchise record for most points by a defenseman with 137.  He leads all rearguards in the league in scoring with 25 points.

“It’s a nice accolade,” said Hicketts who passed Brandon Manning,

“It’s something that maybe gets lost in the win…my whole goal is to go out every night and put together a performance that can help this team win – and that’s what I’m focused on.”

He was instrumental in the win, blocking many shots and playing hard physically all night.

“That’s how you win, when your top players are doing little things, paying the price to win, it better carry on through your group.” Said Lowry on the Royals Captain,

“Joe didn’t do anything special tonight, he just played a well rounded game.”

Gagnon also had a fight with Odgers, to go along with his game winner.

Victoria remains tied for first in the WHL with Kelowna at 33 points each.  The Royals earned their 8^th consecutive on the road and improve to 10-3 off the Island.

Victoria has now won 2 in a row, and travel through the night to Tri City to play the Americans Saturday night at 7.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 5 at Vancouver Giants 4 - Status: Final
Friday, November 20, 2015 - Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC

Victoria 0 4 1 - 5
Vancouver 3 0 1 - 4

1st Period-

1, Vancouver, Brumm 1 (Menell, Osipov), 7:48.

2, Vancouver, Benson 3 (Cox, Bondra), 13:25 (PP).

3, Vancouver, Popoff 6 (Cox), 14:26.

Penalties-Osipov Van (major-check/behind, game misconduct), 1:46; Wharrie Vic (slashing), 11:27; Dmytriw Vic (delay of game), 11:57.

2nd Period-

4, Victoria, Phillips 13 (Hannoun, Forsberg), 0:31.

5, Victoria, Hannoun 13 (Hicketts, Reddekopp), 7:20.

6, Victoria, Forsberg 7 (Hannoun, Phillips), 11:55.

7, Victoria, Walker 7 (Soy, Price), 13:55.

Penalties-Gagnon Vic (major-fighting), 10:20; Odgers Van (major-fighting), 10:20.

3rd Period-

8, Vancouver, Lang 3 (Thomas, Baer), 10:20.

9, Victoria, Gagnon 2 (Forsberg), 13:31.

Penalties-Dmytriw Vic (hooking), 8:10.

Shots on Goal-

Victoria 8-13-7-28.

Vancouver 8-7-10-25.

Power Play Opportunities-

Victoria 0 / 1;

Vancouver 1 / 3.

Goalies-

Victoria, Vollrath 13-6-0-1 (8 shots-5 saves); Outhouse 3-1-0-0 (17 shots-16 saves). Vancouver, Kubic 0-4-1-0 (28 shots-23 saves).

A-5,551
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Nick Swaine (35).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Michael McGowan (41).