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Victoria Royals

Royals Silence Thunderbirds

February 6, 2013 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria, BC - In a Tuesday night tilt at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre the Victoria Royals hosted the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Royals gave Patrik Polivka the start in goal, while the Thunderbirds replied with Vancouver Island native Brandon Glover.

Royals' defenceman Jordan Fransoo got the crowd into the game early when he laid a hard hit on Thunderbirds' forward Jesse Forsberg. The home side took advantage of the momentum when Jamie Crooks scored his 24th goal of the season. Royals' centerman Logan Fisher tied up his opponent in a face-off to the left of the Seattle net before Crooks found the loose puck and sniped it high over Glover's catching hand at 12:19. The Royals added to their lead late when Alex Gogolev scored for the third consecutive game at the 19:15 mark of the opening frame. Brandon Magee carried the puck down the right wing before he threaded a pass to the front of the net where Gogolev redirected the puck into the open goal. Victoria held a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Seattle cut Victoria's lead in half on a Shea Theodore powerplay goal just 1:16 into the middle frame. Jerret Smith slid the puck across the blueline before Theodore one timed it high glove side on Polivka. The Royals answered with a goal by Steven Hodges at 12:41. Ben Walker hit Hodges with a pass on a two-on-one rush and left the Florida Panthers draft choice with a clear path to the net. Hodges' initial shot was saved, but a Thunderbirds' player knocked the loose puck into his own net and Hodges was credited with his 21st goal of the season. Victoria finished the middle frame with a 3-1 lead.

Victoria maintained their two-goal lead on the back of multiple key saves by Polivka in the final period while Glover also stood his ground in the Seattle net. The Royals were assessed two minor penalties late in the game, but the penalty kill proved effective and Joe Hicketts would capitalize with a shorthanded empty netter at the 19:09 mark. The rookie defenceman corralled a loose puck and launched a shot from his own zone that found the back of the open cage and sealed the victory for the home side. Victoria 4 Seattle 1.

Victoria went 0/30.0% on the powerplay, while Seattle went 1/425.0%. The Royals were outshot by the Thunderbirds 27-25.

The Royals will host the Thunderbirds again tomorrow night with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Victoria then heads out on a six-game road trip that begins in Tri-City when they face the Americans on Friday, February 8th.

We are Royal Blue! Are you? Guarantee yourself the best seats for upcoming Royals games by visiting www.selectyourtickets.com, calling 250-220-7777 or visiting the Select Your Tickets box-office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Mini-Packs, Vouchers and special rates for groups of 10+ are available by visiting www.victoriaroyals.com or calling 250-220-7889.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2013


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