The Tri-City Americans and Victoria Royals faced off for Game 2 Saturday night in Victoria. Like all of the hockey world, thoughts were still on the tragedy unfolding in Saskatchewan involving the Humboldt Broncos. A pre-game moment of silence was held in the arena as both teams joined each other at centre ice.
Michael Rasmussen continued his assault in the WHL playoffs, as he added another four points for the Tri-City Americans as the defeated the Victoria Royals 4-1. Rasmussen now has an impressive 19 points (9g-10a) in just six games in this post-season. The six-foot, six-inch, 220-pound forward continues to be a handful for the Royals defense, particularly in front of the net.
The first period saw few solid chances for either team, with much of the period spent in the Royals end as the Americans patiently tried to set up good chances. A rather uneventful first period saw shots 9 to 8 for Tri-City.
In the second period, Michael Rasmussen opened the scoring at just 49 seconds with a tip in front. The goal would be the first of three on this night for the Detroit Red Wings draft pick as he looks strong in these playoffs.
The second period saw a possible repeat of game 1 for Victoria, where a decent first period by the Royals led to a second frame where the play was not in their favour. Victoria had difficulty gaining the Tri-City zone, leading to turnovers and repeated chances against Griffen Outhouse. Head Coach Dan Price called a timeout four minutes in, likely to settle his team as the period was clearly no going accordingly to plan.
Outhouse was removed from the game temporarily, as he lost the steel on his skate. Dean McNabb come in for spot duty while at the next stoppage Outhouse was back between the pipes.
(Photo: Christoper Kelsall, Victoria Sports News)
Victoria was able to pull even as Dante Hannoun scored on the power play, a shot to the top corner blocker-side on Patrick Dea. The goal at 6:59 ended a streak of eight unanswered goals by the Americans to start the series.
With an assist on the Hannoun goal, Matthew Phillips set a new franchise record for points in a single post-season, with 17 points in nine games. Former Royals forward Jack Walker had held the record, with 13 points in 16 games.
At 16:05 while on the power play, Rasmussen scored his second of the night on another tip in to make it 2-1. The puck went off the post and in, showing that while he is not only on a hot-streak, Rasmussen is getting a little puck luck as well.
In the third period, the Americans got an early goal from another hot player, as Morgan Geekie scored his 11th of the playoffs at 2:49 to make it 3-1. Rasmussen completed his hat-trick with a goal at 18:44, an empty netter to securely lock the game away. A solid game for Rasmussen, as he finished with four points and was the games first star.
Tri-City was able to take both games in Victoria, and look firmly in control heading back to Kennewick, WA. The Americans have shown the ability to neutralize the Royals speed, and their forwards have the size to patiently setup in the Victoria zone, capitalizing on their chances. The Royals not been able to consistently gain the Americans zone, and are struggling to clear their own.
Game 3 goes on Tuesday, April 10th at the Toyota Centre, with puck drop at 7:05pm.
