Chiaka stones Thacker (2a) Credit: Gord Rufh
The Victoria Royals were doubled by the visiting Prince Albert Raiders 6-3 Tuesday night.
Victoria was coming off an emotional high Saturday, knocking off the Memorial Cup Host Kamloops Blazers – but came out flat, according to Head Coach and GM Dan Price,
“I expected an emotional sag after such and huge victory Saturday (over Kamloops), we spent a lot of time planning for that.
“Making sure the guys were refreshed mentally and physically and the energy was high.”
The Royals opened the scoring, but trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes and gave up 3 more in the middle frame to find themselves down 5-1 after 40.
Credit: Gord Rufh
“We were vulnerable because we didn’t get on top of it early and close it out. Then you’re force to push back like that in the third, dig down and find that energy – and we did that.
“My question, where was that in the first and second period?”
Victoria would push in the third, adding a pair on the man advantage before Prince Albert sealed with an empty net goal.
Poole opened the scoring Credit: Gord Rufh
Morale victories don’t resonate anymore with the coach at this stage of the season, compared to early on when they were a depleted group.
“Having a great third period doesn’t really mean anything if you don’t have a great first and second, and ultimately lose the game.”
The Royals would out shoot the Raiders 11-4 in the third, and 31-26 overall with Tikhon Chaika earning the win and Braden Holt taking the loss.
Both clubs scored twice on their respective power plays, but Victoria gave up one shorthanded.
The Royals got a goal and assist night from Jake Poole and Kalem Parker. Matthew Hodson added a single, while Alex Thacker notched a pair of helpers.
The Raiders got two goals from Evan Herman, while Landon Kosior had a 4 point night with a goal and three assists. Aiden Oiring had a goal and an assist. Sorenson and Peardon chipped in with a pair of helpers.
Victoria remains tied with Kelowna for the final playoff spot in the West, however the Rockets have 4 games in hand. The Royals are now down to their final 20 games of the season.
Up next a 3 game in 3 night road trip begins in Prince George Friday and Saturday.
– Marlon Martens
Prince Albert Raiders 6 at Victoria Royals 3 – Status: Final
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 – Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena – Victoria, BC
Prince Albert 2 3 1 – 6
Victoria 1 0 2 – 3
1st Period-
1, Victoria, Poole 27 (Dereniwsky, Thacker), 2:38.
2, Prince Albert, Ritchie 13 (Kosior, Oiring), 7:16 (PP).
3, Prince Albert, Kosior 13 (Sorensen, Pakkala), 16:16 (SH).
Penalties-Rybinski Vic (interference), 5:54; Christensen Pa (interference), 15:33.
2nd Period-
4, Prince Albert, Herman 10 (Peardon, Tansem), 3:08.
5, Prince Albert, Lodewyk 5 (Peardon), 13:03.
6, Prince Albert, Oiring 8 (Sorensen, Kosior), 16:02 (PP).
Penalties-Misskey Vic (roughing), 15:32.
3rd Period-
7, Victoria, Parker 5 (Thacker, Patton), 12:22 (PP).
8, Victoria, Hodson 15 (Poole, Parker), 17:01 (PP).
9, Prince Albert, Herman 11 (Kosior), 19:13 (EN).
Penalties-Christensen Pa (roughing), 3:59; Poole Vic (roughing), 3:59; Sapousek Vic (roughing), 5:18; Stanick Pa (roughing), 10:25; Edwards Vic (holding), 14:21; Anderson Pa (hooking), 16:09; Herman Pa (10-minute misconduct), 19:13; Parker Vic (10-minute misconduct), 19:13; Poole Vic (cross checking, 10-minute misconduct), 19:13.
Shots on Goal-
Prince Albert 12-10-4-26.
Victoria 15-5-11-31.
Power Play Opportunities-
Prince Albert 2 / 5;
Victoria 2 / 3.
Goalies-
Prince Albert, Chaika 11-17-0-0 (31 shots-28 saves).
Victoria, Holt 20-15-2-1 (21 shots-16 saves); Cristiano 4-10-0-0 (4 shots-4 saves).
A-2,472
Referees-Brady Casparie (63), Graedy Hamilton (57).
Linesmen-Cole Cooke (130), Nathan Van Oosten (115).
