WHL Victoria Royals

Royals Fall to Americans

Published on December 8, 2011 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria, BC - In a Wednesday night matchup at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, the Victoria Royals took on the Tri-City Americans in their third meeting of the season. The Royals gave Jared Rathjen the start in goal while the Americans countered with Eric Comrie.

The Royals started off strong after killing an early penalty just 49 seconds into the game before they were awarded with a power play of their own. On the man-advantage, Logan Nelson carried the puck out of the left corner and patiently stick handled through the slot before beating Comrie for his 13th goal of the season. The Americans would tie the game at 9:15 of the period after Adam Hughesman received a pass at the top of the left circle and fired a wrist shot that beat Rathjen under the left arm. The Royals restored the one goal lead at 12:04, when Jamie Crooks feathered a pass from behind the net into the slot. The loose puck was picked up by Kevin Sundher who found the open net for his 19th goal of the season. The Americans countered again, capitalizing on the second of back-to-back power plays when Adam Hughesman sent a backhand pass to the front of the net that Connor Rankin managed to slide past Rathjen. The score remained tied 2-2 after the first.

The Royals continued their momentum into the second period and controlled much of the play in the first half of the period. Mid-way through the frame, Tri-City's Brendan Shinniman looked to put the Americans in front by firing a hard slap shot from the top of the left circle, but he was denied by the glove of Rathjen. The Royals' goaltender's strong play continued throughout the period, highlighted by a sprawling glove save on a deflected shot at the left side of the net. Victoria retook the lead at 15:58 when Zane Jones chipped in a loose puck during a scramble in front for his 7th marker of the year. With under a minute to play in the period, Americans' forward Zachary Yuen carried the puck behind the Royals' net and buried a wrap-around to knot the game at 3-3. That would be the score through 40 minutes.

Tri-City earned its first lead of the night just prior to the halfway point of the period. Connor Rankin threw a centering pass that deflected off a Royals' skate and through the legs of Rathjen. A mere 84 seconds later the Americans would add some insurance when Marcus Messier collected a pass in the low slot and fired a shot over the left shoulder of Rathjen. Victoria looked to narrow the score in the final minutes, but were unable to find the back of the net. Americans 5 Royals 3.

Victoria went 1/2 50.0% on the power play, while Tri-City was 1/5 20.0%. The Americans outshot the Royals 30-18.

The Royals conclude their three game home stand this Friday on "Teddy Bear Toss" night with a visit from the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Puck drop is 7:05pm. Victoria will then hit the road for six straight games beginning with the Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday, December 10th. For further details or to purchase your tickets today, visit the Victoria Royals Ticket Office, www.selectyourtickets.com/victoriaroyals, e-mail vrtickets@victoriaroyals.com or call 250-220-7889.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2011


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