Royals Score Three In Third, Down Americans 5-2

Victoria, BC- After last night’s outcome, Victoria was looking for some revenge.

The Victoria Royals (20-15-1-2, 43 pts) scored three goals in the third period, avenging last night’s loss by defeating the Tri-City Americans (22-15-1-2, 47 pts) 5-2 at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena.

Tri-City ended a two game overall win streak and snapped a four game win streak in Victoria. The Royals pulled within four points of the Americans for fifth place in the Western Conference.

The first period was quiet, with neither team getting on the board. Victoria had more opportunites including a 5-on-3 power play but couldn’t capitalize. Victoria outshot Tri-City 7-6 in the period, but both goalies held their own as the game was tied at zeros heading into the second period.

The first goal was scored by Victoria, as Brett Cote would fire a slap shot from the blue line into the back of the net to earn a 1-0 lead. The Americans were able to tie the game a few minutes later on a 5-on-3 power play, as Connor Rankin would fire a laser into the top left corner of the net to tie the game. But Victoria would retake the lead just over a minute later shorthanded as Steven Hodges would beat Eric Comrie on the blocker side to make it 2-1. Tri-City would tie the game once again later in the period as Brian Williams would snap a shot into the goal at the back door. Tri-City outshot Victoria 13-12 as these two teams would have the game come down to the third period for the second straight night.

Victoria got off to a quick start in the third as Brandon Magee would throw a shot at the net that would deflect off the back of Comrie and into the goal for a 3-2 lead. And the Royals would put the game out of reach as Tim Traber would fire a wrist shot from the slot past Comrie late in the game. For good measure, Magee scored his second goal of the game, putting it into an empty net to seal the win.

Williams and Rankin both extended their second half point streaks to five games.

Comrie made 28 saves in the loss, while Patrik Polivka made 30 saves in the loss.   

Tri-City has a few days off before they continue their trek through the B.C. Division when they take on the Kamloops Blazers (28-10-2-2, 60 pts) on Jan. 9. Game time is at 7:00 p.m. Tri-City defeated the Blazers in the first meeting 4-2 in Kennewick, but lost the lone game in Kamloops in late November 3-2. Game time is at 7:00 p.m. NewsTalk 870 will broadcast the game starting at 6:45 p.m. with the pregame show. WHL Live will stream the game at 7:00 p.m.

Jack in the Box Three Stars:
1. Brandon Magee, Victoria
2. Steven Hodges, Victoria
3. Connor Rankin, Tri-City