ROYALS DROP SHOOTOUT DECISION TO ROCKETS
ROYALS DROP SHOOTOUT DECISION TO ROCKETS
Brett Cote scores lone Victoria goal in 2-1 shootout loss to Kelowna.
For Immediate Release
Friday, October 26, 2013
Victoria, BC- In a Saturday night tilt at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, the Victoria Royals welcomed back the Kelowna Rockets for the conclusion of a two-game set. The Royals gave Coleman Vollrath the start in goal, while the Rockets countered with Jordan Cooke.
The Royals began the game with a high level of intensity as they unloaded several big hits and blocked key shots. Victoria was unable to break through early and at the 17:09 mark of the opening frame, Kelowna opened the scoring. Nick Merkely’s one-timer from the slot found its way past Vollrath glove side. The Royals’ strong penalty kill continued to shine as the team killed off two late disadvantages to hold the Rockets’ lead to 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.
Victoria scored the first powerplay goal of the two-game series at the 12:05 mark of the second period to even the score. After a scramble in front of the net, Brett Cote jumped on a loose puck and squeaked a shot through Cooke. The goal was waved off, but after a brief review the puck had crossed the line. The Royals threw 19 shots on goal in the period, but Cooke kept the game tied 1-1 as the two teams headed into the second intermission.
Tempers flared midway through the final frame as the Royals’ Jake Kohlhauser and Rockets’ Tyrell Goulbourne dropped the gloves for a quick bout that brought both benches to their feet. Victoria continued to press and had the better of the chances between the clubs, but Cooke make key saves to send the game to overtime.
Overtime solved nothing and a shootout was needed to determine a winner. Round one saw Kelowna’s Justin Kirkland ring a shot off the post, while the Royals’ Logan Nelson was stymied by the glove of Cooke. Myles Bell found the back of the net for Kelowna in the second round on a backhand deke before Victoria’s Jack Walker narrowly missed his chance. Vollrath stopped Zach Franko in the third round, but Ben Walker was unable to extend the shootout and the Rockets skated away with the two points. Rockets 2 Royals 1, in a shootout.
Victoria went 1/4= 25.0% on the powerplay, while Kelowna went 0/2= 0.0%. The Royals outshot the Rockets 34-31.
The Royals continue their five-game home stand when they welcome the Red Deer Rebels for back-to-back contests beginning on Friday, November 1st and concluding the following night. Both games are scheduled for 7:05 p.m. starts.
We are Royal Blue, are you? 2013-14 season ticket, mini-plan and group packages are now available! To guarantee yourself the best seats at the best prices call 250-220-7889, visit www.victoriaroyals.com, or head down to the Victoria Royals Ticketing Office located at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
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