Royals Use Big Third Period To Capture 5-2 Win Over Rockets
October 13, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Victoria Royals News Release
Victoria Royals’ Jake Poole, Luke Rybinski and goaltender Tyler Palmer celebrate win
(Victoria Royals)
Victoria, B.C. – Goaltender Tyler Palmer made 40 saves on 42 shots as the Victoria Royals collected their first win of the season 5-2 over the Kelowna Rockets on Wednesday night at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
Palmer continues to play well between the posts, with Wednesday marking the third straight game where he has held opponents to two goals or fewer.
The Fernie, BC product credits his recent success to an increased focus on preparation:
“I think just getting back into it mentally, getting my routine back in and trying to feel comfortable in the net again,” said Palmer postgame. “The team has really helped with that, in terms of in-front of the net, we have really cleaned up in that area…We’re all really happy to get the monkey off our back and I think we’re going to be rolling now.”
It was also a great night for the Victoria (1-7-1-0) top line of Matthew Hodson, Jake Poole and Riley Gannon, who all recorded multi-point performances and combined for six points as a unit.
Hodson saw his point streak extend to four games two goals and an assist, while Riley Gannon took sole possession of the team lead in points with two assists on the night. He now has six total points on the year.
Forward Jake Poole also got on the board with a pair of assists in the win.
With the pressure of getting that first win now behind them, General Manager and Head Coach Dan Price believes his team can build some momentum and begin to turn things around:
“It just feels lighter for me, for the whole team,” said Price postgame. “That was a lot of effort. A lot of close games, close periods where we felt like we were right there and deserved to win. So tonight, with that close game hanging in the balance everyone made a decision, we’re only going out there if we know we’re going to win, let’s decide that we’re going to do it.”
It was a night of firsts for Victoria as Teague Patton tallied his first goal as a member of the Royals, adding to the significance of the team’s first win.
On the other end of the rink, Kelowna (3-3-1-0) forward Nolan Flamand enjoyed a big night, scoring both goals for his side, while starting goaltender Nicholas Christiano made 24 of 28 saves
The game would remain scoreless until early in the second period when Flamand (1) would open the scoring at the 0:55 mark of the frame to give the visitors the 1-0 lead.
However, Victoria would tie the game less than a minute later on an unassisted goal by forward Tanner Scott (2) at the 1:26 mark, scoring off a timely steal off a defenceman deep in Rockets territory.
The game would sit at a 1-1 draw until the 11:30 mark of the second when Kelowna would retake the lead on Flamand’s (2) second of the night. The remainder of the period would pass without any scoring and Rockets would carry the 2-1 advantage into the third.
The back-and forth action would continue to start the third, as the Royals would tie the game once again on Matthew Hodson’s third goal of the season at the 1:43 mark, tipping in a point shot from linemate Jake Poole. Forward Riley Gannon would collect the secondary assist on the play.
Victoria would then take a 3-2 lead at the 9:11 mark of the final frame on forward Teague Patton’s first goal as a member of the Royals, with Tanner Scott and defenceman Kalem Parker counting the assists.
The momentum would remain in Victoria’s favour as they increased their lead to 4-2 only a few minutes later, with Matthew Hodson recording his second of the evening at 11:02. Jake Poole and Riley Gannon would collect the assists, giving all three linemates multi-point nights.
Defenceman Luke Shipley (2) would top-off the victory with an empty-netter at 18:02 of the third, securing the first win of the season for the Royals, 5-2 the final.
With the two-game set now come to a close, Kelowna will return home to start a three game homestand beginning with a matchup against the Everett Silvertips this Friday.
Victoria will also remain at home for their next three games, the first of which will take place this Saturday, Oct. 15 against the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The game, brought to you by Western Coast Insurance Services, will celebrate Marty the Mascot’s birthday and will include many of his friends in attendance, a magician, face painting, a bouncy castle, cake, and so much more!
Puck drop for Saturday’s game is set for 6:05 pm at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Tickets can be purchase at selectyourtickets.com.
Follow the Royals on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, TikTok and visit victoriaroyals.com to find out more about ticket sales and to learn the latest news about the team.
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Multiple ticket packages are available for purchase, including a Family Pack, Prospect Pack, and Molson Ice Seats. Call our ticket office at 250-220-7889, send an email to [email protected] or visit our website to learn more victoriaroyals.com/ticket-promos.
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