Sunday 28 October 2012

Recap: VIC 2 - KAM 5

The Blazer power play struck three times in the first period to help pace the Kamloops Blazers (13-0-0-1) to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Victoria Royals (9-6) Saturday night.

I liked the way we started, with the exception of a couple power play goals I thought I guys played really well, real hard in the first period.”  said Head Coach Dave Lowry.

The Royals fall to 1-3 in the 8 game season series, and won’t meet the top team in the country again until January 15th, and 16th in Victoria.

The line of Colin Smith, Tim Bozon and JC Lipon who coming in had collectively scored 52% of the Blazers goals, combined for 8 points on the evening.

Kamloops holds the number one power play in the league and struck 3 times on 4 chances in the first, the final two goals 1:17 apart, the later with just 1.2 seconds left in the period.

We dug ourselves a hole, and talked about it after the first came out and had a real good second period…” continued Lowry.

Trailing 4-0 after 20 minutes, Victoria out shot Kamloops 17-5 in the second and had two goals to show for, by Jamie Crooks and third star, Brandon Magee.

According to Lowry, “What hurt us we took a penalty right at the end of the (second) period.  That kind of took us out of the flow, took our momentum away and weren’t able to generate much in the third.

In the final frame, Smith struck with 1:55 left to regain the three goal lead and closed out the game.

The Royals went 0 for 3 with the man advantage, while the Blazers totalled 3 for 6.

Cole Cheveldave earned top star honours kicking out 25 shots collecting his league leading 10th win, while Patrik Polivka made 28 saves for his 4th loss.

Kamloops has now won 12 in a row, Victoria dropping their last 2 contests, both away from home.

The Royals continue 7 consecutive on the road next Friday and Saturday against the 9th ranked in the CHL, in Portland Winterhawks.

-mm

Victoria Royals 2 at Kamloops Blazers 5 - Status: Final
Saturday, October 27, 2012 - Interior Savings Centre - Kamloops, BC

Victoria 0 2 0 - 2
Kamloops 4 0 1 - 5

1st Period-
1, Kamloops, Bozon 14 (Smith, Lipon), 6:06 (PP).
2, Kamloops, Needham 3 (Souto, Hrbas), 14:08.
3, Kamloops, DePape 3 (Hrbas, Willick), 18:41 (PP).
4, Kamloops, Smith 11 (Cross, Bozon), 19:58 (PP).

Penalties-Grist Kam (boarding), 1:30; Fransoo Vic (interference), 1:54; Carroll Vic (major-fighting), 4:21; Rehill Kam (major-fighting), 4:21; Hicketts Vic (delay of game), 5:25; Grist Kam (cross checking), 6:27; Kanzig Vic (high sticking, high sticking), 16:46.

2nd Period-
5, Victoria, Crooks 5 (Hodges, Nelson), 7:03.
6, Victoria, Magee 7 (Gogolev, Hicketts), 18:31.

Penalties-DePape Kam (high sticking), 13:03; Walker Vic (interference), 20:00.

3rd Period-
7, Kamloops, Smith 12 (Bozon, Lipon), 18:05.

Penalties-Traber Vic (roughing), 8:29; Rehill Kam (roughing), 8:29; Traber Vic (major-fighting), 10:40; Rehill Kam (major-fighting), 10:40; Gagnon Vic (boarding), 13:19; Carroll Vic (roughing), 20:00; Kanzig Vic (roughing), 20:00; Cross Kam (roughing), 20:00; DePape Kam (roughing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 5-17-5-27.
Kamloops 14-5-14-33.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 3;
Kamloops 3 / 6.

Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 6-4-0-0 (33 shots-28 saves).
Kamloops, Cheveldave 10-0-0-0 (27 shots-25 saves).

A-4,858
Referees-Kevin Bennett (29), Reagan Vetter (39).
Linesmen-Kris Hartley (81), Dustin Minty (86).

Saturday 27 October 2012

Preview: Victoria at Kamloops

The Victoria Royals (9-5, 18pts) visit the number one ranked team in Canada, the Kamloops Blazers (13-0-0-1, 26pts) Saturday night.

Pregame show at 6:40, puck drop at 7pm on The Zone 91.3 FM, or online www.thezone.fm.

It’s their fourth of eight meetings, and with a (1-2) record giving the Blazers their only blemish on an otherwise perfect record.  The Royals won 4-3 in a shoot out in Victoria on Sept 28th, and then dropped a 3-0 decision two nights later before falling in Kamloops 5-2 October 10th.

The Royals had their 3 game win streak snapped Friday night in Vancouver, falling for the first time in 4 meetings against the Giants, by a 4-1 score.  Jamie Crooks provided the lone goal for Victoria with defenseman Jack Walker collecting his first WHL point with an assist in the loss.

The Blazers are riding an 11 game win streak after an 8-1 win Friday night against the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings.  It was their first game back following a (5-0) trip through the Central division.

Victoria is led in scoring by Alex Gogolev’s 18 points, tied for 11th in the league.  Logan Nelson is tied with Gogolev with 11 assists and is second in team scoring with 14 points.  Ben Walker had his 3 game point streak snapped in Vancouver and is third in scoring with 12 points.

Kamloops line of JC Lipon, Colin Smith and Tim Bozon are 1,2,3 in scoring in the league, combining for 91 points.  Collectively, they’ve scored 52% of the teams goals.  The Blazers have 4 of the top 7 scorers in the leaue.  Smith is the WHL player of the week and joins Lipon on Team WHL for the Super Series.

Kamloops owns the number 1 ranked power play and has scored the most goals for on average while allowing the fewest in the league.

Netminder Cole Cheveldave is 1st in the league in wins with 9, and has the 2nd best goals against average and 2nd best save percentage.

North Saanich product defenseman Sam Grist was acquired in a trade in early October from Tri City, and leads all defenseman in plus/minus with +14.

It’s the second of seven consecutive on the road for the Royals, with their next stop a week Friday and Saturday in Portland.

Friday 26 October 2012

Recap: VIC 1 - VAN 4

Marek Tvrdon scored 3 goals to pace the Giants past the Royals 4-1 in Vanvouver Friday night.

Victoria had their 3 game win streak snapped, and lost for the first time against Vancouver in 4 games.  The Giants snapped their 5 game losing streak for just their 3rd win of the year.

Tvrdon figured in every goal in a 4 point night, as Vancouver held period leads of 1-0 and 3-0.  The teams exchanged goals in the third, with Jamie Crooks providing the only goal for the visiting Royals. 

The Giants outshot the Royals 34-14, holding Victoria to without a shot until the 2nd period. 

Netminder Jared Rathjen started for the Royals playing 40 minutes stopping 15 of 18, while Coleman Vollrath turned aside 15 of 16 shots in the third.  16 year old Payton Lee, a Junior B call up made 13 saves for his first win of the season in his 2nd consecutive start.

Victoria went 0 for 3 on the power play while Vancouver converted once on six opportunities.

The officials were busy, calling 90 minutes of penalties, 52 for the Royals and 38 for the Giants.

Victoria’s rookie defenseman Jack Walker hit the scoresheet with an assist to record his first WHL point.

The Royals take on the Blazers in Kamloops Saturday night, part of 7 consecutive on the road.

Victoria Royals 1 at Vancouver Giants 4 - Status: Final
Friday, October 26, 2012 - Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC

Victoria 0 0 1 - 1
Vancouver 1 2 1 - 4

1st Period-
1, Vancouver, Sward 2 (Houck, Tvrdon), 16:11.

Penalties-served by Hodges Vic (too many men), 6:12; Gogolev Vic (tripping), 14:09.

2nd Period-
2, Vancouver, Tvrdon 2 (Moar), 1:16.
3, Vancouver, Tvrdon 3 (Cooke), 7:40.

Penalties-Carroll Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 1:46; Vannieuwenhuizen Van (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 1:46; Kulak Van (tripping), 2:56; Traber Vic (major-fighting), 7:40; Vannieuwenhuizen Van (major-fighting), 7:40; Hicketts Vic (roughing, unsportsmanlike cnd.), 8:46; Burns Van (roughing, unsportsmanlike cnd.), 8:46; Hodges Vic (10-minute misconduct), 11:41; Zgraggen Vic (major-fighting), 11:41; Cheek Van (major-fighting), 11:41; Popoff Van (10-minute misconduct), 11:41; Sward Van (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 11:41; Kessy Van (roughing), 17:15.

3rd Period-
4, Victoria, Crooks 4 (Hodges, Walker), 11:35.
5, Vancouver, Tvrdon 4 (Houck, Burns), 15:32 (PP).

Penalties-Hodges Vic (roughing), 6:24; Musil Van (roughing), 6:24; Hicketts Vic (high sticking), 8:50; Gogolev Vic (checking from behind), 14:22; Traber Vic (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 15:57; Zgraggen Vic (slashing), 17:15; Kulak Van (slashing), 17:15; Hodges Vic (roughing), 19:53; Orban Van (roughing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 0-5-9-14.
Vancouver 8-10-16-34.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 3; Vancouver 1 / 6.

Goalies-
Victoria,
Rathjen 2-2-0-0 (18 shots-15 saves);
Vollrath 1-0-0-0 (16 shots-15 saves).

Vancouver, Lee 1-1-0-0 (14 shots-13 saves).

A-7,826
Referees-Jeff Ingram (82), Brett Iverson (24).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Tim Digby (75).

Thursday 25 October 2012

Preview: Victoria at Vancouver

The Victoria Royals (9-4, 18pts) begin 7 consecutive on the road with a Friday night game against their biggest rivals the Vancouver Giants (2-9, 4pts).  Pregame show at 7:15, puck drop 7:30 on The Zone @ 91.3, www.thezone.fm.

It’s their fourth meeting of the season, with Victoria winning all three games thus far.  Most recently on October 7th in Vancouver by a 2-1 score, and prior that opening the season with 6-4 and 3-2 victories.

The Royals are riding a 3 game win streak after a 4-3 overtime victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Tuesday, wrapping up a 4 game homestand with a 3-1 record.  With 18 points, they sit tied with Spokane for 3rd in the Western Conference.

The Giants have dropped their last 5 contests, most recently a 3-2 decision to Brandon Wednesday.  Both of the clubs wins have come at home, and they sit last in the league with 4 points.

Royals forward Alex Gogolev has scored back to back game winning goals, and has 6 points (4g, 2a) in his current 3 game point streak.  Gogolev is tied for 9th in league scoring with 18 points.  Forward Ben Walker also has 6 points (3g 3a) in his 3 game point streak.

Florida drafted, Steven Hodges has been added to the Team WHL roster for the Subway Super Series game in Victoria against the Russian National Junior Team November 15th.

The Giants are led in scoring by Jackson Houck with 15 points in 11 games, followed by Red Wing draft pick Marek Tvrdon’s 10 points.  Overage forward Kale Kessy is eligible to play his first game for Vancouver after being acquired from Medicine Hat and serving a 12 games suspension for a check to the head.

After Vancouver, the Royals will play in Kamloops Saturday before returning home to practice in preparation for 5 straight on the road, beginning the following weekend in Portland.

STEVEN HODGES NAMED TO TEAM WHL



ROYALS’ STEVEN HODGES NAMED TO TEAM WHL ROSTER
Victoria forward earns nod to Team WHL for November 15th SUBWAY ® Super Series game!

For Immediate Release
Thursday, October 25, 2012

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals would like to congratulate forward Steven Hodges who was today named to Team WHL’s roster for the upcoming SUBWAY ® Super Series against the Russian National Junior Team. The 18-year-old will appear in the sixth and final game of the series on November 15th, 2012 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

The SUBWAY® Super Series features regional teams of CHL All-Stars competing against the Russian National Junior Team in a six-game event serving as an integral part of the identification process for Team Canada prior to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. The OHL hosts the middle leg of the six-game series with the first two games hosted by the QMJHL, and the final two games played in the WHL. Last season the CHL prevailed with their eighth series win in nine years of this event earning a 10-8 victory in points which included three regulation wins, two losses, and one defeat by shootout. Team Canada later captured bronze at the 2012 World Junior Championship in Calgary and Edmonton, AB.

“We are very proud of Steven’s accomplishment,” said Royals’ General Manager Cameron Hope. “He has earned this opportunity to play for Team WHL and we wish him the best when he faces Team Russia here in Victoria.”

Hodges will make his first Super Series appearance in the Royals’ home arena on November 15th. Hodges’ appointment to Team WHL comes after recording four points (3g-1a) in five games so far this season.

The Delta, BC native is coming off of a summer that saw his name called at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Hodges was selected by the Florida Panthers with their third round, 84th overall, pick following a 2011-12 season that saw him record 46 points (21g-25a) and appear in all 72 regular season games for the Royals. The 6-0, 178 lb centre also tallied four assists in four games during the 2012 WHL Playoffs.

Drafted by the Chilliwack Bruins in the first round, ninth overall, in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, Hodges has registered 63 points (29g-34a) over 140 games with the Royals/Bruins franchise.

Hodges becomes the fourth player from the Royals’ franchise to play in the SUBWAY ® Super Series. Forward Kevin Sundher played for Team WHL last year while forwards Ryan Howse and Mark Santorelli competed at the event in 2010 and 2007, respectively.

Team WHL faces Team Russia the final two games of the 2012 SUBWAY® Super Series. Vancouver will play host to the fifth game of the series on Wednesday, November 14th while Victoria will welcome the WHL All-Stars and Team Russia for the final game on Thursday, November 15th. The 2012 SUBWAY® Super Series is supported by CHL associate sponsors Bank of Montreal, Old Dutch and Post. All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet with QMJHL games shown on TVA Sports.

The schedule for the 2012 SUBWAY® Super Series is as follows:
Game 1 – Monday November 5 at Blainville-Boisbriand, QC
Game 2 – Wednesday November 7 at Val-d’Or, QC
Game 3 – Thursday November 8 at Guelph, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 12 at Sarnia, ON
Game 5 – Wednesday November 14 at Vancouver, BC
Game 6 – Thursday November 15 at Victoria, BC

Game tickets for Thursday, November 15th contest in Victoria are available in person at the Select Your Tickets Box Office, over the phone by calling (250) 220-7777 or online at http://www.selectyourtickets.com/sss.php. For more information please visit www.subwaysuperseries.ca

The Royals now head out on the road for seven straight games before returning home on Friday, November 16th to face the Everett Silvertips. Single game tickets and mini-packs are now on sale. Guarantee yourself the best seats by visiting www.victoriaroyals.com, calling 250-220-7889, or emailing tickets@victoriaroyals.com before it’s too late!




Team WHL Roster – Vancouver, BC – November 14, 2012

#
Forwards
Ht
Wt
Year
Team
14
*Brassart, Brady
6’1
192
1993
Calgary Hitmen
21
*Ewanyk, Travis
6’2
192
1993
Edmonton Oil Kings
28
*Lazar, Curtis
6’0
198
1995
Edmonton Oil Kings
29
*Moroz, Mitch
6’2
208
1994
Edmonton Oil Kings
18
*St. Croix, Michael
6’0
179
1993
Edmonton Oil Kings
15
Sissons, Colton
6’1
194
1993
Kelowna Rockets
23
Reinhart, Sam
6’0
182
1995
Kootenay Ice
19
Shinkaruk, Hunter
5’11
175
1994
Medicine Hat Tigers
9
McNeill, Mark
6’2
210
1993
Prince Albert Raiders
20
Ouellette, Trent
6’0
175
1993
Regina Pats
16
Holmberg, Mitch
5’10
175
1993
Spokane Chiefs
17
*Lowry, Adam
6’5
201
1993
Swift Current Broncos
#
Defencemen
Ht
Wt
Year
Team
2
Pulock, Ryan
6’1
211
1994
Brandon Wheat Kings
8
*Reinhart, Griffin
6’4
202
1994
Edmonton Oil Kings
27
Murray, Ryan
6’1
195
1993
Everett Silvertips
4
*Rielly, Morgan
6’0
205
1994
Moose Jaw Warriors
24
*Dumba, Matt
6’0
182
1994
Red Deer Rebels
5
Siemens, Duncan
6’4
209
1993
Saskatoon Blades
#
Goaltenders
Ht
Wt
Year
Team
31
*Broissoit, Laurent
6’3
200
1993
Edmonton Oil Kings
1
*Comrie, Eric
6’1
170
1995
Tri-City Americans

TEAM WHL COACHING STAFF / TRAINERS
Head Coach                         Don Nachbaur                     Spokane Chiefs
Assistant Coach                   Derek Laxdal                       Edmonton Oil Kings
Assistant Coach                   Don Hay                               Vancouver Giants
Athletic Trainer                     Nick Murray                         Vancouver Giants
Equipment Manager            Chad Scharff                       Vancouver Giants

Team WHL Roster – Victoria, BC – November 15, 2012

  #
Forwards
Ht
Wt
Year
Team
14
*Brassart, Brady
6’1
192
1993
Calgary Hitmen
21
*Ewanyk, Travis
6’2
192
1993
Edmonton Oil Kings
28
*Lazar, Curtis
6’0
198
1995
Edmonton Oil Kings
29
*Moroz, Mitch
6’2
208
1994
Edmonton Oil Kings
18
*St. Croix, Michael
6’0
179
1993
Edmonton Oil Kings
34
Lipon, JC
6’0
181
1993
Kamloops Blazers
9
Smith, Colin
5’11
175
1993
Kamloops Blazers
12
Fioretti, Sam
5’10
184
1993
Moose Jaw Warriors
7
Rattie, Ty
6’0
176
1993
Portland Winterhawks
22
Black, Graham
6’0
179
1993
Swift Current Broncos
17
*Lowry, Adam
6’5
201
1993
Swift Current Broncos
11
Hodges, Steven
6’0
175
1994
Victoria Royals
  #
Defencemen
Ht
Wt
Year
Team
3
Lowe, Keegan
6’1
200
1993
Edmonton Oil Kings
8
*Reinhart, Griffin
6’4
202
1994
Edmonton Oil Kings
4
*Rielly, Morgan
6’0
205
1994
Moose Jaw Warriors
51
Pouliot, Derrick
6’0
194
1994
Portland Winterhawks
26
Wotherspoon, Tyler
6’2
209
1993
Portland Winterhawks
24
*Dumba, Matt
6’0
182
1994
Red Deer Rebels
  #
Goaltenders
Ht
Wt
Year
Team
31
*Broissoit, Laurent
6’3
200
1993
Edmonton Oil Kings
1
*Comrie, Eric
6’1
170
1995
Tri-City Americans

TEAM WHL COACHING STAFF / TRAINERS
Head Coach                         Don Nachbaur                     Spokane Chiefs
Assistant Coach                   Derek Laxdal                       Edmonton Oil Kings
Assistant Coach                   Dave Lowry                         Victoria Royals
Athletic Therapist                 Khore Elliott                          Victoria Royals
Equipment Manager            Matt Auerbach                     Victoria Royals

*Players competing in both games

The 2012 SUBWAY® Super Series is supported by CHL associate sponsors, Bank of Montreal, Old Dutch, and Post.

All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet with the two QMJHL games shown on TVA Sports.

The schedule for the 2012 SUBWAY® Super Series is as follows:
Game 1 – Monday November 5 at Blainville-Boisbriand, QC
Game 2 – Wednesday November 7 at Val-d’Or, QC
Game 3 – Thursday November 8 at Guelph, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 12 at Sarnia, ON
Game 5 – Wednesday November 14 at Vancouver, BC
Game 6 – Thursday November 15 at Victoria, BC