ROYALS ROLL OVER COUGARS
ROYALS ROLL OVER COUGARS
Ben Walker records three point night in Victoria’s 5-1 victory over Prince George.
For Immediate Release
Friday, December 28, 2012
Victoria, BC – In a Friday night contest at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, the Victoria Royals went up against the Prince George Cougars. The Royals started Patrik Polivka in net, while the Cougars sent Brett Zarowny in between the pipes.
Jamie Crooks opened the scoring for Victoria at 10:06 of the first period while on a two-man advantage. Brandon Magee received a pass to the right of Zarowny and made a cross-ice pass to Crooks before the veteran sniper fired a shot that beat the Cougars’ net minder low blocker side. Prince George responded quickly on a goal by Marc McNulty at 12:42. The Cougars’ defenceman took a slapshot from the left point found its way through traffic and in low to the glove side of Polivka. The Royals took the lead late in the period on Taylor Crunk’s second goal of the season at the 18:58 mark. Tim Traber picked up a loose puck behind the Prince George net and tried to stuff it in blocker side on Zarowny. The Cougars’ net minder made the initial save, but Crunk was able to spot the loose puck and tap it in. After 20 minutes of play, Victoria held a 2-1 lead.
Ben Walker scored his 11th of the season at 14:51 of the second period to extend the Royals’ advantage. Magee wrapped the puck around the Cougars’ net before Walker found the loose puck at the top of the crease and banged it past an outstretched Zarowny. The two teams exchange scoring chances in a physical second period, but both goaltenders held their ground and the Royals carried a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.
Victoria increased their advantage to three when Steven Hodges scored at the 7:43 mark of the final frame. Crooks raced down the left wing and took the initial shot on Zarowny who let out a rebound that bounced to Hodges. The Royals’ forward took full advantage and chipped the puck up and over the sprawling goaltender. Less than one minute later, Walker netted his second of the night on a delayed penalty call against Prince George. Austin Carroll carried the puck over the Cougars’ blue line before he left the puck for Walker. Walker cut to the middle of the ice and wired a wrist shot just inside the post and past the blocker of Zarowny. Prince George pressed hard in the final minutes of the period, but were denied at every turn by Polivka. Victoria 5 Prince George 1.
Victoria went 1/4=25.0% on the powerplay, while Prince George went 0/3=0.0%. The Royals outshot the Cougars 34-20.
Victoria and Prince George meet again tomorrow night at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Puck drop is 7:05 p.m.
Season tickets, mini packs and single game tickets are still available. Guarantee yourself the best seats by visiting www.victoriaroyals.com, calling 250-220-7889, or emailing [email protected] before it’s too late!
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