Royals Earn Hard Fought Point as Comeback Bid Falls Just Shy in Portland
Portland, OR – The southern road journey for the Victoria Royals (12-9-0-2) commenced with an evening faceoff against the Portland Winterhawks (14-5-0-1), marking the first of four encounters this season.
Braden Holt returned to guard the net for the Royals, making his first start since November 13th. Meanwhile, Luke Brunen secured his sixth start of the year for Portland.
The home team took an early lead, with Josh Davies scoring his 14th goal of the season, assisted by James Stefan and Josh Mori, nearing the two-minute mark.
Victoria responded in the middle of the period, as Cole Reschny extended his point streak to 13 games with a powerplay goal, assisted by Dawson Pasternak.
Late in the first period, Portland regained the lead when Diego Buttazzoni beat Holt, giving them a one-goal advantage heading into the second period.
The Winterhawks increased their lead to two goals near the midway point, with Josh Davies securing his second goal of the evening.
Undeterred by the two-goal deficit, the Royals staged a comeback in the third period, leveling the score at three goals each. Casper Haugen scored a highlight-reel goal, followed by Dawson Pasternak notching his seventh of the season with an assist from Cole Reschny.
Regulation ended with the game deadlocked at three a piece. leading to an overtime period that failed to produce a winner. The game proceeded to a shootout, where Gabe Klassen secured the shootout winner, granting the Portland Winterhawks a 4-3 victory.
James Patrick, the Head Coach of the Royals for just over three weeks, emphasized the team’s focus on the process and the importance of details to achieve success.
“It’s the focus on the process, what you have to do to give us the best chance to win, the little details that make us better players. And when we focus on those things, we have the chance to get some good results.”
Despite falling short, Patrick commended the team’s competitiveness against the Winterhawks, emphasizing the positives and the team’s ability to contend with a top-tier opponent.
“You know, it’s not only the point. You can tell the guys were disappointed in the dressing room, and it’s such a fine line. But I thought there were a lot of positives to take from the game. That’s what we reminded them after the game. Let’s focus on the positive on how we played against a top team,” stated Patrick. “I thought once we got through that first five – ten minutes and accustomed to their speed and style of play, we showed we can play with them. And I thought by the third period, it was more of a 50/50 game.”
Scoring Summary
1st Period
1:56 – Portland Winterhawks Goal
Josh Davies (14) assisted by James Stefan and Josh Mori
9:32 – Victoria Royals Goal (PP)
Cole Reschny (6) assisted by Dawson Pasternak and Justin Kipkie
16:38 – Portland Winterhawks Goal
Diego Buttazzoni (11) assisted by Josh Zakreski and Kyle Chyzowski
2nd Period
8:50 – Portland Winterhawks Goal
Josh Davies (15) assisted by Gabe Klassen and James Stefan
3rd Period
1:25 – Victoria Royals Goal
Casper Haugen (5) assisted by Escalus Burlock
3:06 – Victoria Royals Goal
Dawson Pasternak (7) assisted by Cole Reschny and Ben Riche
Overtime
No scoring
Shootout
Round 1 – Buttazzoni (No Goal) – Pasternak (No goal)
Round 2 – Cagnoni (No Goal) – Sapousek (Goal)
Round 3 – Stefan (Goal) – Reschny (No Goal)
Round 4 – Klassen (Goal) – Haugen (No Goal)
Shots On Goal
Royals – 27
Winterhawks – 29
Powerplay
Royals – 1/4
Winterhawks – 0/4
Goalie Stats
Royals
Braden Holt – 26/29
Winterhawks
Luke Brunen – 24/27
What’s Next
Victoria will continue their three game road trip on Friday evening as they gear up for a meeting with the Tri-City Americans. Puck drop will take place at 7:05PM from the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA.