The Kamloops Blazers scored the last four goals of the game to upend the visiting Victoria Royals 4-1 Monday afternoon.
Tyler Soy had opened the scoring for the Royals on the power play in the 2nd period, but Carson Denomie tied the game going into the third where the Blazers added 3 more including one into the empty net.
“Good effort, but we need to make sure we control the third period a little bit better.” Said Royals Head Coach Dan Price.
“Had we capitalized on of a couple of our chances throughout the course of the game, it might have been a different story.”
Griffen Outhouse was valiant, making 43 saves in the loss, while Dylan Ferguson was named 3rd star making 23 saves to snap Kamloops winless in 4 skid.
Both clubs notched singles on the man advantage.
Nick Chyzowski notched the eventual winner on the power play in the third, before Brodi Stuart struck on a breakaway to widen the gap. Quinn Benjafield scored into the empty net, while adding 2 assists.
“I thought the effort was really solid again from our players tonight, they worked hard, they skated, I thought we were very physical,” said Price on matching the Blazers aggressive game.
Matthew Phillips who signed a 3 year entry level contract with NHL’s Calgary Flames was held off the score sheet.
There was one fight between Kade Jensen and Tylor Ludwar, Jensen came to the aid of team mate Tarun Fizer who was hit by Ludwar.
Victoria picks up a single point on their two game interior division road swing after a 3-2 shoot out loss in Kelowna Saturday night.
Kamloops earned their first win in 4 games against Victoria, and will meet again in Kamloops next Saturday.
Up next the Royals will entertain the Silvertips Friday night, in their first meeting since bowing out to the Silvertips in last seasons playoffs.
– Marlon Martens
Notes:
Gone Streaking – Royals’ forward Tyler Soy stretched his point streak as he has tallied in nine consecutive contests and has registered 14 points (6g-8a) during that span. This marks the second longest streak of the season after Matthew Phillips’ stretch of 17 games where he tallied a point.
Representing Their Nations – Both teams have players taking part in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships in Buffalo, NY. The Royals boast Igor Martynov (Belarus), while Kamloops is represented by Ondrej Vala (Czech Republic) and Justin Sigrist (Switzerland).
Brickhouse – Including tonight’s 43-save performance, Royals’ netminder Griffen Outhouse has been solid over his last three games as he has posted a 2.02 Goals Against Average and a save percentage of 0.941%. In those three contests, Outhouse has turned aside 96 out of the 102 shots he has faced.
Birthday Boy – Victoria’s Chaz Reddekopp celebrated his 21st birthday today. The West Kelowna, BC native is the joint oldest player in the WHL with Moose Jaw Warriors’ forward Brayden Burke.
Island Foes – The Blazers have two players on their roster who hail from Vancouver Island. Sean Strange is a Victoria native, while Dylan Ferguson was born in Lantzville.
Home Sweet Home – The Royals return home for a contest with the Everett Silvertips on Friday, January 5th at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for the team’s first home game of 2018. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Select Your Tickets box office, over the phone by calling 250-220-7777, or online at www.selectyourtickets.com.
TEXT GAME SUMMARY
Victoria Royals 1 at Kamloops Blazers 4 – Status: Final
Monday, January 1, 2018 – Sandman Centre – Kamloops, BC
Victoria 0 1 0 – 1
Kamloops 0 1 3 – 4
1st Period- No Scoring.
Penalties-Prowse Vic (hooking), 17:41; Walton Kam (slashing), 19:51.
2nd Period-
1, Victoria, Soy 17 (Hannoun, Walford), 1:09 (PP).
2, Kamloops, Denomie 5 (Loewen, Pilon), 6:25.
Penalties-Stuart Kam (high sticking), 7:48; Jarratt Vic (tripping), 11:29; Zary Kam (hooking), 11:53; Jensen Vic (major-fighting), 15:36; Ludwar Kam (major-fighting), 15:36.
3rd Period-
3, Kamloops, Chyzowski 12 (Zary, Benjafield), 8:50 (PP).
4, Kamloops, Stuart 11 (Benjafield), 13:25.
5, Kamloops, Benjafield 10 19:42 (EN).
Penalties-Stuart Kam (tripping), 4:17; Jarratt Vic (interference), 7:38; Chyzowski Kam (tripping), 16:35.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 7-8-9-24.
Kamloops 19-13-15-47.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 5;
Kamloops 1 / 3.
Goalies-
Victoria, Outhouse 19-10-3-1 (46 shots-43 saves).
Kamloops, Ferguson 13-14-0-2 (24 shots-23 saves).
A-3,732
Referees-Nick Panter (70), Ward Pateman (124).
Linesmen-Riley Balson (46), Kevin Crowell (141).
