Recap: VIC 6 - SPK 2 (Sun, April.3.2016)

Tyler Soy scored twice and added two assists to lead the visiting Victoria Royals past the Spokane Chiefs 6-2, to win the opening round playoff series 4 games to 2.

“It feels great,” said Soy, “The guys really brought it tonight and we were able to close it out – so we’re definitely excited to move on to the next round.”

The Chiefs opened the scoring but the Royals responded with the next 5 goals, leading 3-1 after 20 and 5-1 after 40 minutes.

“We didn’t want to go home for a game seven,” said Lowry,

“We needed to raise our level of compete, needed to have some desperation in our game, we needed our top players to be our best players…and we got all that.”

Victoria was 3 for 5 on the power play, while shutting down all 5 Spokane man advantages.

“If our power play could be the difference, we would win the game and the series – that was the message we had going in.” said Lowry,

The Royals out shot the Chiefs 13-5 in the first, but Spokane countered and edged Victoria 26-25 overall.

Griffen Outhouse earned the win in his third straight start, while Lasse Petersen went the distance in the loss.

Jack Walker had 2 goals and an assist, Alex Forsberg 3 helpers and Matthew Phillips a goal and an assist.  Scott Walford scored a single.

The Royals were missing Joe Hicketts for a 5^th straight game, and were also with Vladimir Bobylev.

“Playoffs are a war of attrition, the longer you go, the deeper you go there are going to be bodies that get hurt…” said Lowry,

“It’s about opportunity, it’s about guys stepping in and performing…they all did a really good job.  Playoff series aren’t won with one or two guys, they’re won as a team and that was the case here.”

Jared Dymitriw joined the line of Soy and Walker which provided desired results, producing 8 points.

“It’s speed, the whole game is based on speed.  (Dmytriw) does a very good job of getting in on the forecheck, creating turnovers and going to the net.  He complimented those guys well.” According to Lowry.

The Chiefs got goals from Keanu Yamamoto, and Jordan Henderson who added an assist.

Victoria will start round 2 at home Thursday and Saturday against the winner between Kamloops and Kelowna who play game 7 Monday.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 6 at Spokane Chiefs 2 - Status: End of Game
Sunday, April 3, 2016 - Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

Victoria 3 2 1 - 6
Spokane 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period-

1, Spokane, Henderson 2 (Ka. Yamamoto, Kopeck), 3:40.

2, Victoria, Walker 4 (Forsberg, Phillips), 9:19 (PP).

3, Victoria, Soy 4 (Forsberg, Walker), 12:18 (PP).

4, Victoria, Walford 2 (Soy), 17:47.

Penalties-Sozanski Spo (tripping), 8:40; Fiala Spo (cross checking), 12:07; Sozanski Spo (tripping), 16:21; Reddekopp Vic (slashing), 17:29; Soy Vic (high sticking), 18:10.

2nd Period-

5, Victoria, Soy 5 (Dmytriw, Wharrie), 4:01.

6, Victoria, Phillips 3 (Forsberg), 13:54.

Penalties-Walker Vic (tripping), 9:23; Walker Vic (tripping), 17:11; Fisher Vic (roughing), 19:50.

3rd Period-

7, Spokane, Ke. Yamamoto 3 (Miske, Henderson), 10:22.

8, Victoria, Walker 5 (Reddekopp, Soy), 17:01 (PP).

Penalties-Fiala Spo (high sticking), 8:00; Walker Vic (roughing), 12:00; Ka. Yamamoto Spo (roughing), 12:00; Ka. Yamamoto Spo (charging), 16:56; Westgard Vic (boarding), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-

Victoria 13-3-9-25.

Spokane 5-13-8-26.

Power Play Opportunities-

Victoria 3 / 5;

Spokane 0 / 5.

Goalies-

Victoria, Outhouse 2-1-0-0 (26 shots-24 saves).

Spokane, Petersen 2-3-1-0 (25 shots-19 saves).

A-3,104
Referees-Jeff Ingram (82), Steve Papp (17).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Michael McGowan (41).