KAMLOOPS 5 VICTORIA 2
There's a reason the aptly-named Kamloops Blazers (14-0-1) are the top-ranked major-junior hockey team in North America.
And they showed it Saturday night by scoring four unanswered goals in the first period, three on the power play, en route to a 5-2 Western Hockey League victory over the Victoria Royals before 4,858 fans at Interior Savings Centre.
Victoria answered in the second period with Jamie Crooks's fifth goal of the season and Brandon Magee's seventh but it wasn't enough.
"This is the No. 1 team in the country, at home, and they play extremely well here," said Royals head coach Dave Lowry.
"I had no problem with our effort. The players competed hard and played a darn good game. I liked the way our guys played tonight. But we took some penalties and didn't kill them."
The game continued a familiar narrative for Victoria (9-6), which has scored the game first goal only four times and has relied on near-breathless rallies to win six of its games.
The only part missing Saturday was the rally.
Victoria has now lost the first two of its seven consecutive road games.
The Kamloops odd-man was lethal, with the three goals in the opening period through Swiss sensation Tim Bozon, Jordan DePape and Colin Smith. The other goal in the period came from Matt Needham.
A third-period goal by Smith, his 12th of the season, put it away for the Blazers.
Patrik Polivka drew the start in goal for Victoria and made 28 saves. The reliable Cole Cheveldave blocked 25 shots for Kamloops to move to 10-0 on the season.
The Royals are in Portland to play the Winterhawks next Friday and Saturday before games in Lethbridge Nov. 7, Calgary Nov. 9 and Medicine Hat Nov. 10.
Victoria next plays at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on Nov. 16 against the Everett Silvertips and 2012 NHL No. 2 overall draft pick Ryan Murray.
ICE CHIPS: Royals captain Tyler Stahl missed his third consecutive game . . . Trading Places? Move over Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. Royals defenceman Joe Hick-etts, who had an assist and penalty on the night, is an Interior boy from Kamloops while Blazers defenceman Sam Grist, who had two penalties, is an Island guy from North Saanich. [email protected]
