Recap: VIC 2 - SEA 4 (Sunday, Feb.14.2016)

Keegan Kolesar scored three goals to lead the Seattle Thunderbirds past the visiting Victoria Royals 4-2 Sunday night.

“They’re a good team.  I thought our guys played really well tonight." said Head Coach Dave Lowry,

"Obviously we’re disappointed we didn’t get the outcome that we were looking for – but we’ve been on a pretty good run.” 

The Royals (37-15-2-3 – 79pts) had their franchise best 11 game win streak snapped, and points in 14 straight games.  Their last regulation loss came Jan. 8^th, 1-0 in Prince George.

Victoria was leading 2-1 going into the third, before Seattle scored three unanswered, the final one into an empty net.

“They had timely scoring, we got put on our heels a little bit - they came after us…” said Lowry on the third period.

The Royals outshot the T’birds 35-27, paced by a 15-5 second period barrage.

Coleman Vollrath took the loss stopping 23 of 26, while Logan Flodell blocked 33 shots for Seattle’s third straight win.

Victoria got goals from Tyler Soy (33^rd), and Dante Hannoun (21st) on the power play, going 1 for 6 after 40 minutes, but did not get another look in the final frame.

Seattle was 1 for 2 with the man advantage as Ethan Bear’s point shot proved to be the winner in the third.

“They capitalized on theirs, and that was the difference in the game.” Said Lowry about the power plays.

The Royals had a 5 game road win streak also snapped.

“I give these guys a lot of credit, they played the game right to the end.” Said Lowry,

“They know they have an opportunity to win every night…We knew at some point this was going to happen (the win streak ending), and the real test now, is how they prepare and respond tomorrow.”

The Thunderbirds sweep the season series 4-0.

Victoria is 3^rd in the WHL, 2 points back of Lethbridge and Kelowna who are tied a top of the overall standings.

The Royals started their trip with a 3-0 win against the Silvertips Saturday evening.

Victoria plays their 3^rd game in 3 days Monday afternoon at 4pm in Portland.  They’ll wrap up 4 in 5 at Vancouver Wednesday at noon.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 2 at Seattle Thunderbirds 4 - Status: Final
Sunday, February 14, 2016 - ShoWare Center - Kent, WA

Victoria 1 1 0 - 2
Seattle 1 0 3 - 4

1st Period-

1, Seattle, Kolesar 28 (Holowko, Ottenbreit), 7:06.

2, Victoria, Soy 32 (Bobylev, Walker), 10:07.

Penalties-Smith Sea (hooking), 1:52; Soy Vic (inter. on goaltender), 4:25; Smith Sea (tripping), 12:34; Kolesar Sea (charging), 19:42.

2nd Period-

3, Victoria, Hannoun 21 (Reddekopp, Walford), 1:33 (PP).

Penalties-Smith Sea (high sticking, high sticking), 6:58; Uhrich Sea (checking from behind), 15:52.

3rd Period-

4, Seattle, Kolesar 29 (Gropp, Eansor), 7:36.

5, Seattle, Bear 13 (Barzal, Gropp), 14:12 (PP).

6, Seattle, Kolesar 30   18:33 (EN).

Penalties-Ibragimov Vic (holding), 13:12.

Shots on Goal-

Victoria 10-15-10-35.

Seattle 12-5-10-27.

Power Play Opportunities-

Victoria 1 / 6;

Seattle 1 / 2.

Goalies-

Victoria, Vollrath 24-13-0-2 (26 shots-23 saves).

Seattle, Flodell 17-12-3-0 (35 shots-33 saves).

A-4,003
Referees-Dexter Rasmussen (25), Curtis Marouelli (86).
Linesmen-Zach Brooks (26), Al Creigh (146).