Left to Right: Schuurman, Patton & Hodson celebrate a goal
Photo Credits to Gord Rufh, @grufh
“The effort and process was there, unfortunately the score wasn’t in our favour…” – HC/GM Dan Price
The Victoria Royals settled for the split in a two game home and home set, as the visiting Everett Silvertips edged them 4-3 in a shoot out Saturday night.
After taking a 1-0 first period lead courtesy of Tanner Scott, the Royals found themselves down 2-1 before a buzzer beating goal by Schuurman tied the game at 2-2 heading into the third.
The Silvertips retook the lead before Matthew Hodson forced overtime with the goaltender pulled.
Everett’s Ralphael Pelletier was the only player to score in the 3 round shoot out to secure the extra point for the Silvertips, who snap a 2 game skid.
Tyler Palmer picked up the win against his former club, stopping 30 of 33 and all 3 Victoria shooters, after being yanked in the first one night earlier.
Braden Holt helped earn a point with 23 saves.
It was the Royals final game of the season, missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
“Of course everyone’s disappointed in the result, but this process has been very important and we know it’s going to pay dividends this coming season – which starts tomorrow.” said Price.
Victoria graduates overagers Jake Poole, Alex Thacker and Riley Gannon, who played their final games of Major Junior hockey.
Schuurman celebrates a last second goal
“Everyone was battling for our 20 year old players, it’s their last chance at a look In the WHL, so we wanted to lay it all out there for them…unfortunately we came out short.” said Royals forward Brayden Schuurman who had a goal and an assist.
The Royals were hampered from the start of the campaign with injuries to their Captain Gannon Laroque who only managed 4 games. 29 goal man a year ago Schuurman only played half the season. MVP and leading scorer Jake Poole missed 16 of their last 18 games.
“It’s been a great journey for a lot of the younger players, a real maturing process.” added Price.
“You can see it, what the team is, what it could have been with a full line up, and what it’s becoming.”
Locker room clean out day goes Sunday.
The end of season awards were handed out prior puck drop.
Top Scorer: Jake Poole
MVP: Jake Poole
Community Service Award: Gannon Laroque
Scholastic Achievement: Justin Kipkie
Fan Choice: Brayden Schuurman
Most Dedicated: Robin Sapousek
Rookie of Year: Justin Kipkie
Top Defenseman: Kalem Parker
Unsung Hero: Austin Zemlak
Hardest Worker: Matthew Hodson
Everett Silvertips 4 (SO) at Victoria Royals 3 – Status: Final SO
Saturday, March 25, 2023 – Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena – Victoria, BC
Everett 0 2 1 0 – 4
Victoria 1 1 1 0 – 3
1st Period-1, Victoria, Scott 14 (Patton), 17:48. Penalties-No Penalties
2nd Period-
2, Everett, Bear 1 (Hammell, Zaplitny), 1:19.
3, Everett, Berezowski 48 5:04 (SH).
4, Victoria, Schuurman 16 (Thacker, Newman), 19:58.
Penalties-Gibson Evt (hooking), 3:18; Woodward Evt (holding), 7:32; Parker Vic (hooking), 10:16; Maze Evt (boarding), 14:50.
3rd Period-
5, Everett, Heslop 12 (Berezowski, Sutter), 3:32.
6, Victoria, Hodson 17 (Patton, Schuurman), 18:52.
Penalties-No Penalties
OT Period- No Scoring.
Penalties-No Penalties
Shootout –
Everett 1 (Heslop NG, Berezowski NG, Pelletier G),
Victoria 0 (Schuurman NG, Gannon NG, Thacker NG).
Shots on Goal-
Everett 6-10-8-2-1-27.
Victoria 7-9-13-4-0-33.
Power Play Opportunities-
Everett 0 / 1;
Victoria 0 / 3.
Goalies-
Everett, Palmer 19-24-4-1 (33 shots-30 saves).
Victoria, Holt 22-25-4-2 (26 shots-23 saves).
A-6,947
Referees-Jake Podann (111), Ward Pateman (124).
Linesmen-Jack McNabb (144), Nathan Van Oosten (115).
