Travis Brown and Todd Fiddler began the Western Hockey League season as teammates in Moose Jaw, before the Warriors began unloading veteran talent when it became evident this season was going nowhere and it was probably prudent to build for the future.
Both players featured prominently with their current clubs Friday before 1,531 fans in Prince George.
Brown, an offensive 19-year-old blue-liner, broke a 3-3 deadlock by unloading for the winning goal at 15:09 of the third period in a 5-3 Victoria Royals victory over the host Cougars. The undrafted 20-year-old Fiddler scored his 43rd and 44th goals of the season to lead Prince George.
“When teams feel like they have a chance to win during the season, you’re not going after younger players — you’re going after experience,” said Victoria head coach Dave Lowry.
“And Travis has come in and done a good job for us. His numbers have not been as good as in Moose Jaw, but we have no problem with that, because he is getting opportunities, and the most important thing is playing sound defensively.”
Victoria (44-17-4) moved to a league third-best 24-7-1 on the road. The Cougars (26-33-8) are ninth in the Western Conference and in a desperate race to latch onto the eighth and final playoff berth.
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Victoria defenceman Brett Cote opened scoring at 15:33 of the second period. Austin Carroll’s team-leading 33th goal gave the Royals a two-goal lead at 11:55 of the second period. Fiddler pulled Prince George back within one at 14:55. The 2-1 Victoria lead at the second break bode well for a Royals team that is 30-0-2 when leading after two periods.
It began looking particularly dire for Prince George when the Royals took a 3-1 lead early in the third period on a goal by Logan Fisher. But two goals within 13 seconds by Zach Pochiro, a native of Las Vegas and fourth-round St. Louis Blues draft pick, and Fiddler tied the game 3-3.
“We knew they would push in the third period, but I didn’t like the way we let them back in the game,” said Lowry.
But his club came through, with Royals points-leader Brandon Magee scoring the insurance goal with seven seconds remaining.
Patrik Polivka made 24 saves in goal for Victoria and Adam Beukeboom 33 for Prince George.
The clubs close out their season series tonight.
The Royals will have been away for seven games. They return to the Memorial Centre next Friday and Saturday against Kamloops.
