Joe Hicketts struck twice, as the visiting Victoria
Royals (42-16-3-3, 90pts) scored 4 unanswered in the third to defeat the Red
Deer Rebels 6-2 Saturday night.
“It was nice,” said Hicketts the game’s first star
who notched his first of the night with the man advantage to make it 4-2,
 |
| The Royals celebrate the win. |
Hicketts also scored short handed into an empty net to seal
the win.
The Rebels twice had come back to tie the score, but the Royals
pulled away in the third period beginning with Tyler Soy breaking the 2-2 draw
for the eventual game winner.
“I thought we had great resiliency tonight,” said
Head Coach Dave Lowry, who’s club led by 1-0 and 2-1 scores, but were tied up
after 40 minutes,
“It was one of those games that could go either way. We talked about what we could control, and
going into the third period, if we could push the pace and get our speed going
again – we could give ourselves a chance to win.”
Victoria wins
their 5th in a row, and now have points in 6 straight, sitting 2nd
in the overall standings, 1 point back of Kelowna.
The Rebels are the host team for the 2016 Memorial Cup.
“You always talk about where you want to be…We wanted to
make sure that we came in here and put our best effort forward.” Said Lowry,
“We’re not really into making statements, we just wanted
to make sure that our preparation every night gives us a chance to win.”
Victoria out
shot Red Deer 31-17, with Coleman
Vollrath earning the win and Trevor Martin taking the loss for Red
Deer, snapping their 2 game win streak.
The Royals power play went 1 for 7, while stopping both Rebels
man advantages. Both clubs scored once
short handed.
“I thought the power play did a good job of generating
that momentum…” said Lowry.
Victoria got a
goal and 2 assists from Jack Walker, Vladimir Bobylev had a goal and assist, and
Dante Hannoun chipped in with a pair of helpers. Matthew Phillips added his franchise rookie
leading 34th.
The Royals kicked off their 4 game road trip with a 6-2 win
against the Hitmen one night earlier.
Victoria plays
their 3rd game in 4 days Monday morning at 10:30 PST in Edmonton.
- Marlon Martens
Victoria
Royals 6 at Red Deer Rebels 2 -
Status: End of Game
Saturday, February 27, 2016 - Enmax Centrium - Red Deer, AB
Victoria 1 1 4 - 6
Red Deer 1 1 0 - 2
1st Period-
Saturday, February 27, 2016 - Enmax Centrium - Red Deer, AB
Victoria 1 1 4 - 6
Red Deer 1 1 0 - 2
1st Period-
1, Victoria,
Bobylev 22 (Reddekopp, Walker), 4:52.
2, Red Deer, Spacek
16 (Helewka, Polei), 18:50.
Penalties-Rattie R.d (checking to the head), 10:40; Forsberg Vic (inter. on goaltender), 16:41; Fleury R.d (high sticking), 19:22.
2nd Period-
2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Walker 27 (Pachal, Bobylev), 5:36.
4, Red Deer,
Philp 18 (DeBrusk), 9:33 (SH).
Penalties-served by R.d (too many men), 8:35; Nogier R.d (hooking), 15:39.
3rd Period-
3rd Period-
5, Victoria,
Soy 37 3:35.
6, Victoria, Hicketts 6 (Hannoun, Walker), 8:48 (PP).
7, Victoria, Phillips 34 (Hannoun, Forsberg), 11:56.
8, Victoria, Hicketts 7 17:26 (SH EN).
Penalties-Helewka R.d (interference), 6:46; Doetzel R.d
(boarding), 8:16; Dmytriw Vic (major-fighting), 12:30; Bobyk R.d (cross
checking, major-fighting), 12:30; Gagnon Vic (slashing), 15:31.
Shots on Goal-
Shots on Goal-
Victoria
12-8-11-31.
Red Deer
8-5-4-17.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 /
7;
Red Deer 0 / 2.
Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 28-13-0-2 (17 shots-15 saves).
Red Deer, Martin
11-6-1-1 (30 shots-25 saves).
A-5,632
Referees-Chris Crich (20), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Sean Donnelly (109), Chad Huseby (59).
