The Victoria Royals edged the visiting Kelowna Rockets 3-2
Saturday night to take a 2-0 lead in the best of seven playoff series.
“We’re excited that we’re able to win both our home
games, and now we’ve got a real tough test ahead of us against a very good
team.” Said Head Coach Dave Lowry.
 |
| Forsberg scored the game winner |
Victoria was 2
for 4 with the man advantage, while Kelowna
went 1 for 4. Both clubs went 0 for 4
Thursday in the 2-1 win.
“It’s huge…” said Walker
on going up 2-0 in the series,
“I thought our penalty kill was spot on today, and also
our power play so that’s going to be huge…”
 |
Justin Kirkland brought the visitors to within one, and the
Rockets Tyson Baillie thought he had the equalizer, however the goal was reviewed
and waived off due to his kicking motion.
 |
| The goal was waived off. |
“I was more concerned about Matthew Phillips and the way
that he came off after the hit that he took…good for video replay, and tonight
it was in our favour.” Said Lowry.
Coleman Vollrath earned the win with 26 saves, stopping
Baillie in the dying seconds to preserve victory. Michael Herringer allowed 3 goals on 26 shots
in the loss.
 |
| Vollrath stops Baillie |
Victoria also
set the franchise record for most win in a playoff season with 6.
Regan Nagy scored the other goal for the Royals, ripping a
shot glove side, while Baillie (1-1) did the same for the Rockets.
Victoria was
again without the services of defenseman Joe Hicketts, for a 7th straight
game, and Vladimir Bobylev, missing his 3rd in a row.
 |
| Vollrath |
“So what you have to do is find ways to get other guys
involved, and to get other guys to really increase their intensity level,
because quite frankly we’ve got some young that haven’t played a lot of minutes
at this level of intensity…for us it’s trial by fire.”
Games 3 and 4 go Tuesday and Thursday night in Kelowna,
where the Royals won 3 of 4 in the regular season.
“It’s going to be a heavy game, a loud building, a lot of
emotion. What we have to do if focus in
on what we have do is make sure we’re focussed in on how our team has to play…if
we worry about getting ourselves ready – we give ourselves a chance.” quipped
Lowry.
- Marlon Martens
Series Schedule:
Thursday, April 7th – Kelowna
1 @ Victoria 2
Saturday, April 9th – Kelowna
2 @ Victoria 3
Tuesday, April 12th – Victoria
@ Kelowna – 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, April 14th – Victoria
@ Kelowna – 7:05 p.m.
Friday, April 15th – Kelowna
@ Victoria – 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Sunday, April 17th – Victoria
@ Kelowna – 5:00 p.m. (if necessary)
Tuesday, April 19th – Kelowna
@ Victoria – 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Kelowna Rockets
2 at Victoria Royals 3 - Status:
Final
Saturday, April 9, 2016 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Kelowna 0 1 1 - 2
Victoria 1 1 1 - 3
1st Period-
Saturday, April 9, 2016 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC
Kelowna 0 1 1 - 2
Victoria 1 1 1 - 3
1st Period-
1, Victoria, Walker
7 (Forsberg, Walford), 8:19 (PP).
Penalties-Ballhorn Kel (kneeing), 8:02; Gagnon Vic (hooking), 16:05;
Thurkauf Kel (slashing), 19:40;
Gagnon Vic (slashing), 19:40.
2nd Period-
2nd Period-
2, Kelowna,
Baillie 2 (Foote), 6:02 (PP).
3, Victoria, Nagy 1 (Fisher), 16:56.
Penalties-Phillips Vic (tripping), 4:55; Lind Kel (cross checking), 8:10; Hannoun Vic (delay of game), 12:23; Walker Vic (tripping), 18:59.
3rd Period-
3rd Period-
4, Victoria, Forsberg 3 (Walford, Walker), 6:33 (PP).
5, Kelowna, Kirkland
3 (Baillie), 10:49.
Penalties-Foote Kel (high sticking, high sticking), 6:19.
Shots on Goal-
Shots on Goal-
Kelowna
7-10-11-28.
Victoria
10-10-6-26.
Power Play Opportunities-
Kelowna 1 / 4;
Victoria 2 /
4.
Goalies-
Kelowna,
Herringer 4-5-0-0 (26 shots-23 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 4-1-0-0 (28 shots-26 saves).
A-7,006
Referees-Chris Crich (20), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Nathan Van Oosten (115).
