Tonight’s tilt at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre saw big hits and even bigger goals, with Kamloops taking the overtime win over Victoria in a final score of 4-3.
We drop Game 2 to Kamloops, splitting the series 1-1. The final shots are VIC: 42 KAM: 35. pic.twitter.com/2JVyIwuSJk
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) March 24, 2019
Despite tonight’s loss, the Royals have notoriously put up impressive numbers in their previous ‘game-twos’ in playoff history – winning their last four out of the five second-game matchups in the post season.
Also, in the Royals’ two back-to-backs against the Blazers this regular season, Victoria went 2-0-0-0 and out scored Kamloops 10-4.
Though the Royals made a valiant push in the opening 20 minutes, the first period saw the Blazers go up 2-0 with goals from Kyrell Sopotyk and Brody Stewart after only two shots on net.
After an interference penalty by the Blazers, the Royals roared back in the second – Kody McDonald and Carson Miller tied it 2-2, both goals being on the powerplay.
🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/w5Ktnz1G5Z
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) March 24, 2019
Veteran goaltender Griffen Outhouse saw 31 shots this evening, fresh off of his 28-stop shutout performance on Friday. Regardless of the loss, there were plenty of jaw-dropping saves by the 20-year old in epic pad-flashing fashion.
The Blazer’s net saw Las Vegas Golden Knights prospect Dylan Ferguson with the start tonight, the Lantzville native drawing back in after missing much of the regular season due to injury – he banked 39 saves with the win.
It was a hard-fought third with both Sopotyk from Kamloops and Victoria’s McDonald netting their second goals of the game respectively, marking the score 3-3 before the two rival teams headed into heated overtime.
Time for a little bonus hockey! Overtime starts now!
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) March 24, 2019
Though the ‘Let’s go, Royals!’ chants of 4,614 fans rang through Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre’s walls tonight, the team still fell short in overtime with a goal by Blazers’ Jermaine Loewen.
The first-round series is now tied 1-1, and the Royals head to the Sandman Centre in Kamloops to continue their round one match-up against the Blazers on Tuesday, March 26th and Wednesday, March 27th.
Come cheer on the boys in black in blue as Victoria returns home on Saturday, March 30th for Game 5 against Kamloops with puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are still available!
You can check out the rest of the series schedule here!
Victoria Royals
- When:
- Saturday, March 30th at 7:05 p.m. – Victoria Royals vs. Kamloops Blazers – game 5 of first round series
- Where: Save On Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
- Tickets: Playoff tickets can be purchased in-person or online
