In what was billed as another possible fireworks show was instead a tight battle of physical play. The Portland Winterhawks (36-20-1-3), boasting four NHL first round draft picks, brought their high powered game to Vancouver Island for the first time this season to challenge the gunning offensive style of the Victoria Royals (35-22-3-2). The last meeting of these teams in Portland saw a combined 13 goals scored and lots of high quality action. However instead of the goals, Friday night’s action featured a chess-match between two quality teams playing each other tight, looking for the smallest of advantage.
Coming into tonight’s action, each team found themselves in second place in their respective divisions, looking to gain some momentum as they approach the playoffs.
The first period featured lots of physical play, heated chat after the whistle and overall high compete shown by both teams. Victoria head coach Dan Price attempted to get the upper hand by matching lines, in particular ensuring Tanner Kaspick was out against Portland’s top line, with Kaspick playing Cody Glass very physical. “It feels like the playoffs, doesn’t it?” remarked Price, “Every coach and every player looking for every inch and advantage they could.”
(Photo: Christoper Kelsall, Victoria Sports News)
A scoreless and physical first period set the table for the evening, each team measuring the other up.
Griffen Outhouse displayed some excellent rebound control in the second period, controlling shots at him and looking solid. Portland looked to have opened the scoring with a shot by rookie Clay Hanus, but the goal was immediately called off due to incidental contact in front by Conor MacEachern, denying Hanus his first WHL goal.
When Outhouse finally let a rebound go, it was a juicy one straight to Alex Overhardt who made no mistake to score his 14th of year for the opening goal at 13:43.
Kieffer Bellows made it 2-0 nothing as he snapped a bullet glove-side on Outhouse with 1:16 left in the second period. The first round NHL pick of the N.Y. Islanders took the pass from Glass and made no mistake to record his 30th goal of the season.
On a late power play due to a Keoni Texeira interference penalty, Victoria pulled Outhouse for an additional advantage on the power play. After moving the puck around, Noah Gregor was able to put it past Winterhawks goalie Shane Farkas to pull the Royals within one goal with 1:50 to play.
Assisting on the goal was Matthew Phillips, a notable point as it kept his scoring streak alive at 22 games while also being the first player in franchise history to record 100 points in a season. “It’s a pretty cool feeling, as not a lot of players are able to do it” said Phillips of the benchmark of 100 points, “I can’t really take too much of the credit, a lot of players have helped me this year. ”
With an assist on Gregor's goal, Matthew Phillips (44g-56a) becomes the first Royal and second player in franchise history to reach 100 points in a single season! pic.twitter.com/KkZhSskbGf
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) February 24, 2018
The Royals ran out of time in the game as Portland held on to secure the two points.
The game featured two well coached teams, with neither showing a clear advantage in the tight contest. “They were really good in their end, and it made it tough for us to get to their net,” said coach Price,”I thought our guys did a really good job of finding more energy and more legs in the third period to try to get to their net, break through and try to get some chances. We almost got it done at the end, just ran out of time.”
A rematch between these two teams goes Saturday night, in what should be a great atmosphere as the Royals hold their annual Pink in the Rink event and expect a sold-out crowd to support the fight against cancer.
