Recap: VAN 3 - VIC 7 (Sat. March 5th, 2016)

Vladimir Bobylev scored twice and added two assists as the Victoria Royals defeated the visiting Vancouver Giants 7-3 Saturday night, sweeping the home and home set.

Bobylev scored on a penalty shot in the final minute of the second period to break a 3-3 draw,

“That was a goal that came at a critical time and it was the difference in the hockey game.” Said Head Coach Dave Lowry.

The Royals added 3 more in the final frame.

“We found a way to play in the third period…I felt our conditioning in the third was the difference.” said Lowry, who’s club just returned from a 10 day road trip, while Vancouver was playing 4 in 5.

“We had an understanding that if we didn’t get to work, that we were going to work this week – there was going to be a price to pay…” added Lowry,

“It doesn’t matter if you’re tired or not, these games are critical and of the utmost importance.”

Victoria pulls 5 points ahead of Kelowna for top spot in the WHL, with 5 games remaining.

“We have to continue to stay in the moment, and continue to win our hockey games.” according to Lowry.

The Royals have now won 8 straight, and have points in 9.  With 94 points, the club needs to win 3 of their last 6 games to hit 100 and tie the franchise record.

The Giants who’ve missed the post season for a 2^nd year in a row are now winless in 7.

Tyler Soy scored twice and has 40 goals this season, setting the Royals record for goals in a season, 2 more than Austin Carroll last year.

“Definitely feels special, but I have to give a lot of credit to the guys I’m playing with…my line mates have been great all season.” Said Soy

Victoria out shot Vancouver 39-30 with Griffen Outhouse earning the win, and Jake Morrissey taking the loss.

With the victory, the Royals set the franchise record for most home wins in a regular season with 23, and have won a franchise best 10 straight at the SOFMC.

Victoria was 1 for 2 on the power play, while Vancouver was 1 for 3.

The Royals got a goal and an assist each from Jack Walker and Alex Forsberg, while Brayden Pachal had 2 assists and Joe Hicketts chipped in with 3 helpers.  Ethan Price scored the other goal for Victoria.

Vancouver who opened the scoring got goals from Owen Hardy, Thomas Foster, and Ty Ronning.

Victoria faces 3^rd place Prince George Friday night and Sunday at noon.

-  Marlon Martens

Vancouver Giants 3 at Victoria Royals 7 - Status: Final
Saturday, March 5, 2016 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Vancouver 2 1 0 - 3
Victoria 3 1 3 - 7

1st Period-

1, Vancouver, Hardy 3 (Ronning, Jones), 1:20.

2, Victoria, Soy 39 (Walker), 4:48.

3, Victoria, Forsberg 25 (Hannoun, Hicketts), 7:47 (PP).

4, Vancouver, Foster 8 (Menell, Cox), 10:51 (PP).

5, Victoria, Price 10 (Fisher, Pachal), 13:25.

Penalties-Cox Van (holding opp. stick), 6:39; Pachal Vic (tripping), 9:31; Walker Vic (hooking), 16:53.

2nd Period-

6, Vancouver, Ronning 31 (Foster, Cox), 5:13.

7, Victoria, Bobylev 24   19:20 (PS).

Penalties-Cox Van (hooking), 9:00; Dmytriw Vic (checking from behind), 15:16.

3rd Period-

8, Victoria, Bobylev 25 (Forsberg, Hicketts), 3:16.

9, Victoria, Walker 31 (Bobylev, Pachal), 5:27.

10, Victoria, Soy 40 (Bobylev, Hicketts), 14:18.

Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-

Vancouver 8-14-8-30.

Victoria 13-15-11-39.

Power Play Opportunities-

Vancouver 1 / 3;

Victoria 1 / 2.

Goalies-

Vancouver, Morrissey 1-7-0-0 (39 shots-32 saves).

Victoria, Outhouse 16-3-3-1 (30 shots-27 saves).

A-6,311
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Jeff Ingram (82).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).