Recap: Victoria 2 - Kelowna 4

The Kelowna Rockets (27-10-1-1, 56pts) scored 3 power play goals and doubled up the visiting Victoria Royals (19-15-0-2, 40pts) 4-2 Wednesday night.

Ben Walker takes a pass

The Royals outshot the Rockets 32-29, but went 0 for 9 with the man advantage.  Kelowna scored on their first 3 power plays, and ended up 3 for 6.

“I thought we played 60 minutes of hockey it was just special teams that cost us…when we have a power play we need to bear down.” Royals forward Tim Traber

It was their 3rd meeting of the season with Kelowna taking a 2-1 lead, and will meet again next Wednesday at Prospera Place.

Tyler Soy wears #8

Victoria was again without the services of their top 2 point producers, Alex Gogolev and Logan Nelson, both due to injury.  8th overall Bantam selection F Tyler Soy (OHA) played in just his 2nd WHL regular season game.

The Rockets held period leads of 2-1 and 4-1, and got scoring from Zach Franko, Myles Bell, Tyson Baillie and Colton Sissons who had the Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

The Royals got goals from Jamie Crooks (18th) and Ben Walker (13th) who was taken off on a stretcher after getting inadvertantly involved in a hit Tyler Stahl delivered on Tyrell Goulbourne.  Walker was later released from hospital.  Crooks now has 5 points in his last 3 games (3g 2a).

Jordan Cooke prepares for a shot by Mitch Deacon

Jordan Cooke earned his 18th win with a 30 save performance while Coleman Vollrath stopped 21 of 25 shots in defeat.

It was a physical affair with 4 fights and 118 minutes in penalties assessed, 72 to Kelowna.

The Rockets are ranked 8th in the CHL and have now won 15 straight at home and taken 15 of their last 17 games.  They remain 3rd in the Conference, 2 points shy of the Blazers.

The Royals stay in 6th spot, 5 back of the 5th place Americans, a team they’ll face next in Victoria on Friday and Saturday.

-mm

Victoria Royals 2 at Kelowna Rockets 4 - Status: Final
Wednesday, January 2, 2013 - Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC

Victoria 1 0 1 - 2
Kelowna 2 2 0 - 4

1st Period-
1, Kelowna, Franko 15 (Olsen, Fowlie), 2:18 (PP).
2, Victoria, Crooks 18 (Stahl, Zgraggen), 12:22.
3, Kelowna, Bell 24 (Sissons, Olsen), 16:55 (PP).

Penalties-Hodges Vic (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 2:05; Sissons Kel (major-fighting), 2:05; Heffley Kel (hooking), 7:52; Zgraggen Vic (holding), 16:15; Baillie Kel (roughing), 17:34; McKinlay Kel (high sticking, high sticking), 18:04.

2nd Period-
4, Kelowna, Baillie 13 (Severson, Barnett), 4:54 (PP).
5, Kelowna, Sissons 12 (McKinlay), 12:15.

Penalties-Traber Vic (charging, major-fighting), 2:39; Bowey Kel (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 2:39; Dixon Vic (boarding), 3:12; Fransoo Vic (cross checking), 5:13; Stahl Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 6:52; Johnston Kel (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 6:52; Rigby Kel (boarding), 6:52; McKinlay Kel (slashing), 15:55; Carroll Vic (inter. on goaltender), 19:49.

3rd Period-
6, Victoria, Walker 13   5:29.

Penalties-Stahl Vic (major-fighting), 5:52; Barnett Kel (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 5:52; Crunk Vic (high sticking), 12:32; Carroll Vic (major-fighting), 17:04; Goulbourne Kel (instigator, major-fighting, game misconduct), 17:04; Linaker Kel (delay of game), 18:32.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 13-10-9-32.
Kelowna 10-8-7-25.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 9;
Kelowna 3 / 6.

Goalies-
Victoria, Vollrath 2-5-0-0 (25 shots-21 saves).
Kelowna, Cooke 18-8-1-1 (32 shots-30 saves).

A-5,340
Referees-Jeff Ingram (82), Mark Pearce (5).
Linesmen-Ward Pateman (124), Dustin Minty (86).