Things Got Out Of Hand
“I felt the game was getting dangerous and someways out of control, and our players were losing composure a bit…at some point they’re going to have enough, protect themselves, and push back.” – HC/GM Dan Price
The Prince George Cougars scored the final 5 goals of the game to get past the visiting Victoria Royals 7-1 Friday night.
“I thought we were trying to be a little bit too perfect, in a game that was a bit scrambly…”
Victoria trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes, before Prince George scored twice in the second, and added 3 more in the third.
Looking for a bounce back from his group after a lopsided loss in Kamloops two nights earlier, Price was pleased with the start.
“I was really happy with their response, completely prepared, executed, special teams were good, and it was anybody’s game until things for various reasons started unraveling with all those specialty situations…”
120 minutes of penalties were assessed in a game which got out of hand, the later it dragged on.
There were several checks to the head that went uncalled, along with blatant trips.
Could it have been better policed earlier on, to avoid injuries, and handing out multiple misconducts?
After Carter Dereniwsky left the game in the third after taking a check to the head, and Carlin Dezainde only received a 2 minute minor. Price was given a bench minor for voicing his displeasure.
“What I was communicating in my humble opinion was, hits, or attempted hits that were high. Checks to the head, elbows up, players leaving there feet, charges, etc.
“They obviously disagreed, because they decided not to call those.”
Brayden Schuurman pushed back after Jaxsen Wiebe charged him high in the third. Both received 10 minute misconducts.
Royals leading scorer Jake Poole’s return to the line up after missing 13 of the last 14 games only lasted 2 and half periods after taking another hit.
Defenseman Justin Kipkie left the game for a spell after taking a hit from Zach Funk.
“There’s the evidence…” quipped Price, again in his respectful, humble opinion.
Fortunately Kipkie was able to return.
Victoria was still without the services of Marcus Almquist, Robin Sapousek, Gannon Laroque and Alex Edwards.
The Cougars got 3 point nights from Riley Heidt, Chase Wheatcroft and Hudson Thornton, each with a a goal and two assists. The line of Heidt-Wheatcroft-Ziemmer combined for 7 points.
Matthew Hodson score the lone tally for the Royals.
Prince George out shot their visitors 38-21, with Tyler Brennan credited for the win and Braden Holt the loss.
The Cougars went 1 for 5 on the power play scoring on a 5 on 3, while the Royals were 0 for 3.
What could happen in the rematch based on the animosity, high checking and physicality could be anybody’s guess.
“If we play a similar way, have a shooting mentality, more linear and straight line – it will be helpful.”
Victoria is now 0-7-1-0 in the season series which concludes Saturday night at 6pm.
– Marlon Martens
Victoria Royals 1 at Prince George Cougars 7 – Status: Final
Friday, March 17, 2023 – CN Centre – Prince George, BC
Victoria 1 0 0 – 1
Prince George 2 2 3 – 7
1st Period-
1, Prince George, Funk 24 (Becher, Thornton), 4:08.
2, Prince George, Ziemmer 38 (Thornton, Heidt), 11:54 (PP).
3, Victoria, Hodson 16 (Newman, Parker), 16:13.
Penalties-Newman Vic (roughing), 5:36; Zemlak Vic (interference), 5:36; Dezainde Pg (roughing), 5:36; Samson Pg (slashing), 6:46; Zemlak Vic (roughing), 10:23; Misskey Vic (slashing), 11:27; Dezainde Pg (hooking), 17:42; Misskey Vic (roughing), 20:00; Wheatcroft Pg (roughing), 20:00.
2nd Period-
4, Prince George, Wheatcroft 47 (Heidt), 12:24.
5, Prince George, Glover 6 (Brown, O’Brien), 17:39.
Penalties-Parker Vic (slashing), 6:26; Wiebe Pg (embellishment, 10-minute misconduct), 6:26; Trembecky Vic (10-minute misconduct), 12:24; Wheatcroft Pg (10-minute misconduct), 12:24.
3rd Period-
6, Prince George, Thornton 22 (Wheatcroft, Samson), 3:12.
7, Prince George, Bawa 4 (Eastman, Dezainde), 5:55.
8, Prince George, Heidt 23 (Wheatcroft, McNutt), 12:47.
Penalties-Dezainde Pg (checking to the head), 2:54; Patton Vic (cross checking), 5:55; Schuurman Vic (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 7:42; Wiebe Pg (charging, roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 7:42; Patton Vic (high sticking), 9:17; Hodson Vic (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 10:17; Eastman Pg (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 10:17; Patton Vic (bench), 17:06; McNutt Pg (10-minute misconduct), 19:46.
Shots on Goal-
Victoria 9-6-6-21.
Prince George 10-15-13-38.
Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 3;
Prince George 1 / 3.
Goalies-Victoria, Holt 21-25-4-1 (38 shots-31 saves). Prince George, Brennan 20-10-3-0 (21 shots-20 saves).
A-2,326
Referees-Nick Panter (70), Adam Bloski (16).
Linesmen-Michael McGowan (41), Caden Fanshaw (164).
