Recap: VIC 1 at KAM 4 (Game 1)

Royals fall 4-1 to the Blazers in Game #1

Tim Bozon scored twice in the second period to lead the Kamloops Blazers to a 4-1 victory over the visiting Victory Royals Friday night, and take game 1 of the best of seven series.

Tied at 1 after 20 minutes, Kamloops scored 3 unanswered in the middle frame enroute to their first playoff win in 7 years in front of 4,948 fans.

According to assistant coach Enio Sacilotto, “We didn’t respond well when they scored all those goals in the second period, and that was the difference.”

Enio Sacilotto's post game thoughts

Robin Soudek fired home the lone Royals tally

Cole Cheveldave made 26 saves for his first career playoff win, while Keith Hamilton turned aside 30 pucks in also his first career playoff start.

Victoria went 1 for 4 on the power play, while shutting down all 4 Kamloops chances.

Robin Soudek returned to line up after missing the previous 3 with an upper body injury and threw a big open ice hit on Aspen Sterzer in the first.  At 11:36, Soudek tied the game at 1 with a one timer on the power play set up by Hayden Rintoul.

Dylan Willick had opened the scoring 2 minutes earlier.

Dakota Conroy hits Tyler Bell

Tim Bozon would retake the lead in the middle frame just 4:13 in, the eventual game winner.  Bozon added a second just 47 seconds after their captain Chase Schaber scored at 17:03.  Schaber was back in the line up after missing the previous six to injury.  Royals defenseman Tyler Stahl clanged a shot off the post in the dying seconds, but Victoria found themselves down 4-1 after 2. 

There would be no scoring in final frame, as the Royals outshot the Blazers 11-10 in the third period.


“We played a pretty decent game, but I think we have a little more in the tank.” said Sacilotto following the loss, "We didn't get the quality scoring chances that we wanted to get."




Bozon was named number 1 star with his 2 goal performance, Schaber had a goal and assist, Austin Madaisky and JC Lipon added 2 assists each.  Logan Nelson had the second assist on Soudek’s goal.

Mike Forsyth battles for a rebound against G Cole Cheveldave

Game 2 goes Saturday night in Kamloops with a 6:45 pregame show on The Zone @ 91.3 FM. www.thezone.fm

Victoria fans in Kamloops showing their support!

The first WHL playoff games in Victoria since 1989 will be played next Tuesday, March 27th and Wednesday, March 28th, which are games three and four of the series. Single game tickets for the 2012 WHL Playoffs are now on sale at the Select Your Tickets box office located at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

“Uptown Playoff Combo”
For $50, fans are able to purchase four playoff tickets to either Game 3 or Game 4 of the Royals’ first round playoff series against the Kamloops Blazers on Tuesday, March 27th or Wednesday, March 28th. The combo also includes a Royals’ rally towel and a gift voucher redeemable for a $10 gift card at Uptown until April 30th.

Tickets are limited to corner and end sections, and only 100 ticket packages will be made available for each of the Royals’ first two home playoff games. The total value of this package is $75, so fans looking for a great deal are encouraged to contact the Royals’ ticket office quickly.

Playoff combos can be purchased online at victoriaroyals.com, over the phone at 250-220-7889, or in person at the Select Your Tickets box-office.

Victoria Royals 1 at Kamloops Blazers 4 - Status: Final
Friday, March 23, 2012 - Interior Savings Centre - Kamloops, BC

Victoria 1 0 0 - 1
Kamloops 1 3 0 - 4

1st Period-
1, Kamloops, Willick 1 (Needham, Schaber), 9:29.
2, Victoria, Soudek 1 (Rintoul, Nelson), 11:36 (PP).

Penalties-Hrbas Kam (high sticking), 6:13; Bozon Kam (delay of game), 11:07; Kanzig Vic (checking from behind), 16:11.

2nd Period-
3, Kamloops, Bozon 1 (Smith, Lipon), 4:13.
4, Kamloops, Schaber 1 (Madaisky, Ranford), 17:03.
5, Kamloops, Bozon 2 (Madaisky, Lipon), 17:50.

Penalties-Kanzig Vic (roughing), 6:57; Kanzig Vic (checking from behind), 14:59.

3rd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Nelson Vic (roughing), 0:20; Madaisky Kam (roughing), 0:20; Carroll Vic (kneeing), 8:28; Maschmeyer Kam (inter. on goaltender), 8:58; Kanzig Vic (10-minute misconduct), 19:30; Bell Kam (cross checking), 19:30; Hanes Kam (10-minute misconduct), 19:30.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 7-9-11-27.
Kamloops 10-14-10-34.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 4;
Kamloops 0 / 4.

Goalies-
Victoria, Hamilton 0-1-0-0 (34 shots-30 saves).
Kamloops, Cheveldave 1-0-0-0 (27 shots-26 saves).

A-4,948

Referees-Steve Papp (17), Brett Montsion (54).
Linesmen-Jason Cramer (122), Bevan Mills (98).