Braden Holt made 29 saves for the shut out as the Victoria Royals blanked the visiting Kelowna Rockets 4-0 Friday night.
“He always makes the big save at the big time – that key moment when you need it, he’s always there.” – HC/GM Dan Price on this netminder.
Up 2-0 after 40 minutes, the Royals closed it out with a pair late in the third, including one into an empty net.
Victoria killed off all 4 Kelowna man advantages, which was a key part to their victory.
“There was a lot of willingness to block shot, we ate a lot of pucks…” mentioned Price on the PK,
“Holt was excellent every time the puck got to the net, he was big and square, in control and got us a lot of whistles…”
The Royals chased starting netminder Talyn Boyko after striking twice on 9 shots. Jari Kykkanen came in relief and kicked out 29 of 30.
Gannon stymied by Kykkanen Credit: Gord Rufh
Gannon stymied by Kykkanen Credit: Gord Rufh
Victoria got goals from Reggie Newman, Teague Patton, Riley Gannon and Ryan Spizawka. Jake Poole and Matthew Hodson added two assists each.
Newman opens the scoring. Credit: Gord Rufh
It was the debut of Royals import forward Robin Sapousek who showcased his speed, size, smarts and face-off prowess.
Victoria now leads the season series with a record of (4-1-1-0), having won 4 in a row with points in 5 straight agianst Kelowna.
The Royals lost forward Brayden Schuurman early in the game due to injury, but according to Price,
“It’s some kind of tweak, but adoesn’t appear to be long term and hopefully we can have him back for Saturday – but will have to talk to the trainers.”
Victoria pulls within 3 points of Kelowna for the final playoff spot in the West. The rematch goes Saturday night at 6pm.
– Marlon Martens
Kelowna Rockets 0 at Victoria Royals 4 – Status: Final
Friday, January 13, 2023 – Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena – Victoria, BC
Kelowna 0 0 0 – 0
Victoria 2 0 2 – 4
1st Period-
1, Victoria, Newman 4 (Hodson, Laroque), 8:16.
2, Victoria, Patton 9 (Poole, Hodson), 14:07.
Penalties-Scott Vic (hooking), 10:55; Price Kel (interference), 19:31.
2nd Period-
No Scoring.
Penalties-Szturc Kel (interference), 7:40; Patton Vic (hooking), 11:19; Price Kel (unsportsmanlike cnd., major-fighting), 14:17; Rybinski Vic (boarding, unsportsmanlike cnd., major-fighting), 14:17.
3rd Period-
3, Victoria, Gannon 11 (Poole), 18:58 (EN).
4, Victoria, Spizawka 1 (Trembecky, Misskey), 19:12.
Penalties-Neutens Kel (interference), 13:22; Misskey Vic (roughing), 13:22; Newman Vic (tripping), 14:54.
Shots on Goal-
Kelowna 7-13-9-29.
Victoria 12-13-15-40.
Power Play Opportunities-
Kelowna 0 / 4;
Victoria 0 / 2.
Goalies-
Kelowna, Boyko 7-14-1-0 (9 shots-7 saves); Kykkanen 6-7-2-0 (30 shots-29 saves).
Victoria, Holt 17-13-1-1 (29 shots-29 saves).
A-4,106
Referees-Josh Albinati (153), Trevor Nolan (51).
Linesmen-Liam Reid (112), Ryan Sirk (173).
