Saturday, 2 April 2016

Recap: SPK 4 - VIC 1 (Friday, April.1.2016)



Lasse Petersen made 44 saves to help keep the Spokane Chiefs season alive with a 4-1 victory Friday night in Victoria, in front of a sell out crowd.

Petersen was Star #1
“I thought their goalie played outstanding tonight,” said Jack Walker who scored the lone goal for the home team,

“The opportunities were there, the chances were there, and I think we have to a better job of capitalizing on our opportunities…”
The Royals still lead the best of seven playoff series 3-2 and play Game 6 on the road against the Chiefs Sunday night at 5pm.

“It’s about how you react to a loss like this after tonight…better make sure everyone takes it personal when they leave…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry.

Spokane opened the scoring for a fourth consecutive game in a row (2-2), and held period leads of 2-1 and 3-1.

Griffen Outhouse
Victoria rookie netminder Griffen Outhouse made his second consecutive start, and allowed 4 goals on 23 Chief shots.

The Royals were without World Junior defenseman Joe Hicketts (undisclosed) for a fourth consecutive game.

“We have to move forward right now as if Joe’s not playing,” commented Lowry,

“The guys that are going into the line up have to make sure that they assume the responsibility…it’s playoffs, it’s about how you handle adversity.  This is a time where some guys can elevate their game and become hero’s…”

Victoria was 0 for 4 on the power play, while Spokane went 1 for 2, including a short handed tally.

“Let’s call a spade a spade, they won the special teams game tonight – difference in the hockey game…they capitalized on opportunities.” Said Lowry,

The Chiefs continued to block a lot of Royals shots.

“It just goes to show you that it doesn’t matter if you out shoot a team or not.” Said Lowry,

“…We didn’t generate a lot of second opportunities.”
Jack Walker scored the lone goal for Victoria to cut the lead in half in the first, responding to Spokane’s second goal by Curtis Miske just :44 seconds later.

Spokane’s Yamamoto brothers, Keanu and Kailer had a goal and an assist each, while defenseman Matt Sozanski chipped in with a pair of assists. 

Keanu scored shorthanded on a feed from his brother in the third for the insurance marker.

Jacob Cardiff tallied the other marker for the Chiefs, the lone goal in the middle frame.

The loss snapped the Royals 15 game home win streak.

If necessary, Game 7 will take place on Tuesday, April 5th at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, with puck drop slated for 7:05 p.m. Individual playoff tickets, starting at $13.00, are on sale at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at the arena or over the phone at 250-220-7777.

Join the #RoyalMarch with a Royals’ Playoff Package that guarantees the same seat for all post-season games at a discounted rate. All Royals’ fans who purchase a playoff ticket package will receive the season ticket holder discount of up to 30% off of individual ticket prices. Visit victoriaroyals.com/playoffs for more details and round-by-round pricing.

- Marlon Martens

Spokane Chiefs 4 at Victoria Royals 1 - Status: Final
Friday, April 1, 2016 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Spokane 2 1 1 - 4
Victoria 1 0 0 - 1

1st Period-
1, Spokane, Ka. Yamamoto 1 (Zwerger, Ke. Yamamoto), 7:18 (PP).
2, Spokane, Miske 1 (Anderson-Dolan, Sozanski), 17:26.
3, Victoria, Walker 3 (Bobylev, Reddekopp), 18:10.

Penalties-Gagnon Vic (delay of game), 6:08.

2nd Period-
4, Spokane, Cardiff 3 (Andersen, Sozanski), 6:28.

Penalties-Ka. Yamamoto Spo (tripping), 9:06; Bobylev Vic (tripping), 10:45; Elynuik Spo (roughing), 14:46; Ka. Yamamoto Spo (tripping), 19:36.

3rd Period-
5, Spokane, Ke. Yamamoto 2 (Ka. Yamamoto), 7:29 (SH).

Penalties-Fiala Spo (hooking), 6:53.

Shots on Goal-
Spokane 10-6-7-23.
Victoria 15-13-17-45.

Power Play Opportunities-
Spokane 1 / 2;
Victoria 0 / 4.

Goalies-
Spokane, Petersen 2-2-1-0 (45 shots-44 saves).
Victoria, Outhouse 1-1-0-0 (23 shots-19 saves).

A-7,006
Referees-Colin Watt (72), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).