Photo Credit: Gord Rufh @grufh
Different Night, Similar Outcome
“Overall scoring chances, shot volume and possession were pretty even…just like last night.” – HC/GM Dan Price
The Victoria Royals scored the last two goals of the game, but the rally fell short as the visiting Prince George Cougars doubled the Royals 6-3 Saturday.
Prince George sweeps the two game set after an 8-3 victory one night earlier.
“(PG) are very opportunistic, they had a couple of chances and they definitely made sure they capitalized.”
The Cougars outscored the Royals by 3 to 1 margins in the first and second period, leading 6-2 going into the third.
Victoria got goals from Riley Gannon, Brayden Schuurman and Alex Thacker who had a 3 point night with a goal and 2 helpers.
Wheatcroft’s goal was the WHL’s Highlight of the Night.
Prince George got 2 goal nights from Koehn Ziemmer and Carlin Dezinde, while Chase Wheatcroft had a three point night, including his 44th of the season.
The line of of Wheatcroft, Ziemmer and Riley Heidt (2a) combined for 7 points.
Ty Young braces for a shot from Reggie Newman
Ty Young earned the win with 25 saves, while Nicholas Cristiano went the distance kicking out 32 of 38 in the defeat.
Both clubs struck once on their power play opportunities.
Cristiano squares up for a shot.
Victoria falls to winless in 10, and were mathematically eliminated from post-season contention Friday.
The club was missing 5 regulars, including their leading scorer Jake Poole, Captain Gannon Laroque, forwards Marcus Almquist, Robin Sapousek, and Alex Edwards who was serving his final game due to suspension.
Kinniburgh (left), Ross (right)
15-year-old defenceman and affiliate Jerrett Ross record his first career WHL point in just his second game, as the Royals had 3 call-ups on the roster including Deegan Kinniburgh, and back up Jayden Kraus.
“We’re really on an up cycle here as far as the long-term planning of the team,” said Price about the future of the group,
“Not only our affiliates but our younger age groups, they’re just tremendous people, very well rounded players. We’re deep at every position.”
Reggie Newman helps soften the fall of the linesman.
Victoria has 5 games remaining, beginning with a 3 game road trip into the interior, beginning in Kamloops Wednesday, before visiting Prince George for a pair on the weekend.
– Marlon Martens
Prince George Cougars 6 at Victoria Royals 3 – Status: Final
Saturday, March 11, 2023 – Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena – Victoria, BC
Prince George 3 3 0 – 6
Victoria 1 1 1 – 3
1st Period-
1, Prince George, Ziemmer 35 (Wheatcroft, Heidt), 5:44.
2, Prince George, Wheatcroft 44 (Kmec, Thornton), 11:48.
3, Victoria, Gannon 17 (Thacker, Misskey), 13:06 (PP).
4, Prince George, Dezainde 6 (Samson, Eastman), 16:16.
Penalties-Eastman Pg (slew-footing), 6:57; Trembecky Vic (slashing), 10:25; Samson Pg (tripping), 11:07; Schuurman Vic (high sticking), 18:37; Wheatcroft Pg (roughing), 20:00.
2nd Period-
5, Prince George, Ziemmer 36 (Wheatcroft, Heidt), 6:30.
6, Prince George, Funk 22 (Kmec, Wiebe), 12:26 (PP).
7, Prince George, Dezainde 7 (Eastman, Bawa), 19:18.
8, Victoria, Schuurman 13 (Thacker), 19:58.
Penalties-Becher Pg (tripping), 4:00; Parker Vic (cross checking), 10:46.
3rd Period-
9, Victoria, Thacker 8 (Ross, Parker), 12:53.
Penalties-Newman Vic (inter. on goaltender), 1:08; Dowhaniuk Pg (tripping), 5:50.
Shots on Goal-
Prince George 11-12-15-38.
Victoria 8-11-9-28.
Power Play Opportunities-
Prince George 1 / 4;
Victoria 1 / 6.
Goalies-
Prince George, Young 14-13-3-0 (28 shots-25 saves).
Victoria, Cristiano 4-15-0-0 (38 shots-32 saves).
A-3,696
Referees-Graedy Hamilton (57), Jeff Ingram (82).
Linesmen-Cole Cooke (130), Ryan Sirk (173).
