The resurgent Victoria Royals defeated the Tri-City Americans 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday night in Kennewick, Washington, for their third WHL victory in four games, and now have earned points in six of their last seven contests.
Captain Tarun Fizer scored the overtime winner. Victoria got first-period goals from Brayden Schuurman, his 10th of the season, and defencemen Gannon Laroque and Anson McMaster to take a 3-0 lead. Bailey Peach assisted on all three goals and Fizer two of them. The Americans scored three unanswered goals in the third period, the last with just .06 second remaining, to tie it. Parker Bell had two of the Amerks goals.
Tyler Palmer made 23 saves in goal for Victoria and Tomas Suchanek 26 for the Americans.
Victoria began its four-game road trip through the U.S. Division with a 6-5 overtime loss on Tuesday night in Spokane against the Chiefs. The swing continues Friday in Kent, Washington, against the Seattle Thunderbirds and concludes Saturday in Portland against the Winterhawks.
Victoria’s games in Spokane and Tri-City are early-season crucial tests at the foot of the Western Conference table in that the Chiefs (5-11-3 for 13 points) and Americans (4-11-3 for 11 points) are among the teams the Royals (4-11-3 for 11 points) will need to target in order to slip into a playoff position.
