Alex Forsberg had a 4 point night to help lead the Victoria
Royals (19-8-1-1, 40 pts) past the visiting Kootenay Ice 5-1 Saturday
night.
“I thought we did a really good job…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry,
“Even though we gave up the first goal, that set the tone
for us - and reiterated that we better be ready to play.”
Matthew Phillips scored twice, including the eventual game
winner as he broke a 1-1 second period tie, part of a 3 goal middle frame to
break the game open.
“We really emphasized during the days leading up to this,
to have a real strong start and we didn’t quite do that,” said Phillips,
“Give credit to all the guys for coming back, recovering,
regrouping, sticking to the game plan, and skating hard and that’s what got us
the win.”
Forsberg scored the lone goal in the final frame, to go
along with his 3 assists on the night.
Victoria
wrapped up their 4 game home stand on a 3 game winning streak, while handing
Kootenay their 7th consecutive loss.
The Royals move into 2nd
spot in the league, 5 back of the Rockets.
The Ice were playing 4 games in 5 nights on the road, and will
wrap up their BC Division road trip in Prince George.
Coleman Vollrath earned his 16th win of the
season, tied for most in the league stopping 21 of 22 shots, while Wyatt
Hofflin kicked out 38 of 43 Royals shots in a battle between two 20 year old
netminders.
Vollrath had shutout Kootenay in back to back encounters.
The Royals were 0 for 3 on the power play, the Ice went 0
for 1.
Victoria also
got goals from Dante Hannoun (15th), and Vladimir Bobylev (10th)
who also had an assist. Ryan Gagnon chipped in with a pair of helpers and was
named 3rd star.
Royals 2nd star, Phillips, now has 17 goals to lead
all rookies in goals, including his club.
He sits 3rd in freshman scoring in the league, with 30 points
in 29 games (17g-13a), 3 off the lead. Phillips
also extended his scoring streak to 8 games with 15 points (9g-6a) over that
span.
20 year old Forsberg continues to lead Victoria
in scoring with 38 points, tied for 10th overall (10g-28a).
Kootenay’s Roman Dymacek opened the scoring 1:57 into the first for the Ice for their only
tally.
Heading out now for Team Canada’s
World Junior Selection Camp is bench boss Dave Lowry, defenseman Joe Hicketts
and Equipment Manager Matt Auerbach.
The Royals kick off 4 straight games against the Giants,
beginning in Vancouver Friday night, then Saturday night on the Island for the
annual Teddy Bear Toss night, followed by a 3 pm Sunday start at the SOFMC.
- Marlon Martens
Kootenay Ice 1 at Victoria
Royals 5 - Status: Final
Saturday, December 5, 2015 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Kootenay 1 0 0 - 1
Victoria 1 3 1 - 5
1st Period-
Saturday, December 5, 2015 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Kootenay 1 0 0 - 1
Victoria 1 3 1 - 5
1st Period-
1, Kootenay, Dymacek 3 (Fleury), 1:57.
2, Victoria, Bobylev 10 (Gagnon, Nagy), 3:46.
Penalties-No Penalties
2nd Period-
2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Phillips 16 (Forsberg), 2:37.
4, Victoria, Hannoun 15 (Forsberg), 15:51.
5, Victoria, Phillips 17 (Forsberg, Gagnon), 19:14.
Penalties-Fleury Ktn (tripping), 4:34; Alfaro Ktn (hooking), 10:29;
Grman Ktn (roughing), 14:39; Fisher
Vic (roughing), 14:39.
3rd Period-
3rd Period-
6, Victoria, Forsberg 10 (Price, Bobylev), 11:53.
Penalties-Walker Vic (charging), 1:46; Gray Ktn (hooking), 8:23.
Shots on Goal-
Shots on Goal-
Kootenay 7-10-5-22.
Victoria
15-15-13-43.
Power Play Opportunities-
Kootenay 0 / 1;
Victoria 0 /
3.
Goalies-
Kootenay, Hoflin 4-16-1-0 (43 shots-38 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 16-7-0-1 (22 shots-21 saves).
A-4,593
Referees-Bryan Bourdon (45), Fraser Lawrence (10).
Linesmen-Curtis Craig (144), Jeff MacAdams.
