The top seeded team in the B.C. Division, Victoria Royals (9-1-1) rolled into Edmonton (4-6-2) to face the Oil Kings Wednesday night. Matthew Phillips entered the evening with nine goals and 15 assists on the season, scoring at a rate 1.07 times higher than last season
Victoria opened the scoring as Kaid Oliver capitalized on a back door feed from ‘99 Ryan Peckford early in the first. The play was masterminded by Matthew Philips who created the odd man situation with a beautiful pass after maintaining possession at the blue line. Victoria ended the period up 1-0 and led in shots at 16-11.
The second frame opened with an early goal from former Kootenay Ice forward Jared Legien 2:16 in after a great lob pass from Martynov over the head of the Oil Kings defender, giving Legien all the time and space he needed to put one away. The Oil Kings then got one back as 20-year-old Port Coquitlam native Colton Kehler buried his fifth of the season. Shots were 31-19 in favour of Edmonton at the end of the second.
Going into the third up 2-1, Edmonton poured pucks on net and only 1:27 into the period Ty Gerla buried one in front to tie it, as Davis Koch made a very skilled play behind the net to get the puck in front. The game grew with intensity with a tonne of chances going both ways, but Griffen Outhouse stood tall stopping 18/19 in the period. Regulation solved nothing, so it was off to OT featuring two hot goalies.
As the ice opened up, so did the chances with teams getting chances both ways courtesy of some tired skaters. Late in the frame with only seconds on the clock, Matthew Phillips was able to pick off a poorly timed cross ice pass to bury the game winner. Victoria improves to nine wins on the year, proving very well why they are the fifth ranked team in the nation.
Game Notes:
Victoria’s offense looked exceptionally deep, all four lines seemed to be able to find ways to score or create offense. Their defensive core might not be the most entertaining but they play simple and find ways to keep the puck out of the net. Griffen Outhouse had an outstanding game, standing on his head at times and making highlight reel saves, he finishing the game stopping 44/46 shots. The d-pairing of Scott Walford and Mitchell Prowse really impressed. They are two assertive defenders who don’t make a lot of mistakes and excel in transition. Both caught my eye early.
The Oil Kings played a strong game, they were competitive all game, had their emotions in check for the most part, and didn’t leave the game at the hands of Travis Child. I felt that this was the best I’ve seen Liam Keeler and David Kope play so far this year, both were effective in the offensive zone and Kope especially found ways to create from deep. Matthew Robertson had a solid game as well, didn’t make a whole lot of mistakes.
The Oil Kings next home game is Friday October 20th against the Prince George Cougars.
