VICTORIA 6 KAMLOOPS 0
Tentative and sometimes uncertain in front of a national television audience on Rogers Sportsnet the night before, the Victoria Royals were more expressive in stating their case on Saturday.
The Royals’ special teams were dominant, scoring four power-power goals, in a 6-0 Western Hockey League victory over Kamloops that halted the Blazers winning streak at four games before 5,501 fans at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
The only contest Victoria (26-19-4) hasn’t won in its current seven-game unbeaten streak was Friday’s night 4-3 overtime decision taken by the Blazers (18-25-6) on Sportsnet. And it stuck in the Royals’ craw.
“That [Friday] was a big game and, unfortunately, we came up a little short, but that was a lesson,” said Jack Walker, who had a goal and two assists in response Saturday.
Justin Paulic recorded his third career WHL shutout with 26 saves.
“It was awesome to get the win, especially after a tough game the night before,” said Paulic. “The team dug deep tonight.”
Victoria withstood three consecutive Kamloops power plays in the first period. Then the Royals’ own odd-man went to work, connecting on four consecutive goals from Greg Chase, Walker, Alex Forsberg and Brandon Magee on a four-for-seven night while holding the Kamloops power play to zero-for-four.
The four power-play goals were one off the franchise single-game record of five.
“Our special teams were the difference in the game,” said Royals head coach Dave Lowry.
“Early on, it was our penalty kill. Then it was the power play that came on.”
Lowry also touched on the theme of the weekend.
“Obviously, we were disappointed by the end result the night before. [So] we treated this [Saturday] like a playoff game. We asked: How do you respond after losing the first game in overtime?”
Very well, it turned out.
These are lessons to be absorbed and taken into the post-season.
Brandon Fushimi scored both of Victoria’s even-strength goals on a three-point night.
“It was a good game and we stuck to our plan and [got pucks in deep],” said the veteran Royals role forward and native of Colorado. “Dave and I sit down and talk, and he said I need to go to the net more and get those greasy goals.”
Which is exactly what Fushimi did Saturday in recording his 10th and 11th goals of the season.
The Royals unloaded 37 shots on Connor Ingram and Cole Kehler. Ingram let in five goals over nearly 35 minutes. Kehler mopped up and allowed one goal.
The diminutive but quick 16-year-old Calgary Midget call-up Matthew Phillips, who scored in his WHL debut Friday, added two assists for the Royals on Saturday.
