VICTORIA 6 KELOWNA 4
The Victoria Royals defeated the Kelowna Rockets 6-4 in a marquee Western Hockey League match-up Saturday night that is likely to draw national interest.
The Rockets (43-8-4) are the top-ranked team in the CHL top-10 poll and the Royals (37-16-4) an honourable mention.
The Royals extended their unbeaten run to nine games in front of 5,064 fans at Prospera Place in the Okanagan city.
“This was just a great team game,” said Royals head coach Dave Lowry.
“Even when we got down 2-0 [in the first period], our guys stayed with it. It tells me this is a resilient group.”
Goals by Florida Panthers prospect Steven Hodges and Sabres prospect Logan Nelson, back from a two-game suspension, gave Victoria a 5-3 lead in the third period.
Nick Merkley brought the Rockets to within one, but Hodges put it away with an empty-net goal.
“Anytime you play the top team in the country in their building, your best players have to be your best players,” Lowry said.
Axel Blomqvist, a Swedish forward under NHL contract to the Winnipeg Jets, scored twice for Victoria, while Austin Carroll added his team-high 27th goal of the season.
Royals defenceman Joe Hicketts, re-stating his case for the 2014 NHL draft since returning after a 34-game absence due to injury, had two assists.
Coleman Vollrath made 30 saves for Victoria and Jordon Cooke 37 for Kelowna.
Victoria is at the Pacific Coliseum on Monday to play the Vancouver Giants. The Royals are in the midst of a stretch in which they are playing 10 road dates in 11 games.
The only respite comes Wednesday when Tri City comes to Blanshard Street.
