WHL Victoria Royals

Royals Split Doubleheader with Blazers

Published on January 28, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria, BC - In a Saturday matchup celebrating "Pink in the Rink" night at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, the Victoria Royals faced off against the Kamloops Blazers for their second game of a doubleheader. Victoria started Keith Hamilton in net while Kamloops gave Cam Lanigan the start.

The opening minutes of the game saw both teams maintain the physical tempo set the previous night in the Royals' 4-2 victory. It was Victoria that would open the scoring off the stick of Tim Traber, who finished off a 2-on-1 pass from Dakota Conroy for his second goal of the year at 11:01. Following the goal, the Blazers' JC Lipon and the Royals' Jordan Fransoo squared off in an evenly matched bout that saw both players land heavy blows. With less than five minutes to play in the period, Kamloops forward Colin Smith streaked in off the left wing and centered a pass for Tim Bozon, who was robbed by Hamilton after he slid across the crease and stretched out his left pad to make the save. Hamilton would stop all 15 Kamloops shots and Victoria led 1-0 heading into the first intermission.

The physical play would carry into the middle frame as both teams sought the game's next goal. Victoria looked to gain the lead when Robin Soudek sprung Steven Hodges for a partial breakaway that was negated when the puck rolled off his stick. Kamloops would tie the game at 13:46 after Bozon patiently carried the puck into the slot and snapped a high wrist shot that beat Hamilton over the glove side. Moments later, the Royals received a powerplay advantage but it was the Blazers that would strike when Brendan Ranford was sent in all alone after blocking a shot. Ranford deked to his backhand to fool Hamilton and give Kamloops a 2-1 lead. The Blazers added a late powerplay goal by Smith, who banged home a rebound off the end boards to give the visitors a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes.

Victoria began the third period looking to cut in to the Blazers' lead, but it was Kamloops who rounded out the scoring in the final frame with goals from JC Lipon and Brock Balson. Blazers 5 Royals 1.

Victoria went 0/5 0.0% on the power play, while Kamloops was 2/5 40.0%. The Blazers outshot the Royals 36-27.

Victoria's next home game is this Tuesday, January 31st when they host the Prince George Cougars in the first of a two-game series. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. For more information or to purchase your tickets today, please visit the Victoria Royals Ticket Office, www.victoriaroyals.com, or call 250-220-7889.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2012


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