Credit: Gord Rufh

By Marlon Martens

Pasternak Leads Victoria to a 7-3 Win

Royals Run Wild

Mar 21, 2024 | 12:54 AM

Holt & Newman Celebrate. Credit: Gord Rufh

“It’s a really good feeling. It’s been a while since we had a win, it was a collective group effort.” – HC James Patrick

A four goal second period broke the game open for the Victoria Royals who went on to defeat the visiting Wenatchee Wild 7-3 Wednesday night.

The Royals led 2-1 after 20 minutes, and 6-2 after 40, before the teams exchanged goals in the third. Victoria pulled away scoring three goals in the final six minutes of the middle frame, with a pair coming a minute apart late in the second.

“The first period was okay, it could have been better. We didn’t get enough pucks deep and they had more zone time than us. The last two periods were much better, we just started to hold onto pucks and win some battles.” said Patrick post game,

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“We finished some checks, we were strong in the battle, and then at times different guys made big plays.”

Pasternak celebrates with Verhoeff and Kipkie

Dawson Pasternak led the way on a three point night, with 2 goals and an assist in his 150^th career game.

“It obviously feels good, but it’s a team effort tonight. Everybody had a really good game from the start.” said Pasternak.

With the return of forward Reggie Newman, Victoria had the majority of their lines back in place, and even had the luxury of having two healthy scratches. However, the club lost forward Alex Edwards early in the first, after taking a non-penalized knee to his leg.

Laventure scored twice on Gee.

The Royals got scoring from throughout the lineup, as five skaters had two point nights. Tyson Laventure struck twice, Teydon Trembecky and Escalus Burlock had a goal and assist each, and Nate Misskey added single. Casper Haugen-Evensen and Cole Reschny added two assists each.

The line of Pasternak, Reschny and Laventure combined for 7 points, while the third line consisting of Trembecky, Burlock and rotating centers Logan Pickford and Ben Riche added 5 points.

“Depth is very important.” agreed Patrick,

“The Trembecky and Burlock line was really good, Burlock maybe had his best game of the year. You need depth scoring.”

Burlock celebrates a goal.

Victoria marginally won the special teams game scoring twice on the power play, while Wenatchee added one with the man advantage. Discipline was a factor as both clubs were shorthanded six times.

Royals netminder Braden Holt earned his 21^st victory of the season on a relatively quiet night with 20 saves, while the Wild’s Brendan Gee went the distance making 19 saves, after making his 11^th straight start in the absence of starter Daniel Hauser, who’s listed as day to day.

Victoria snapped a 6 game winless skid, and pull into a tie for 6^th in the West with Kelowna. They are now both one point back of Vancouver.

The Rockets are Giants play each other in a home and home this weekend. Wenatchee remains 4^th, but with a slim 2 point lead on Vancouver and now just three on Kelowna and Victoria. Three points over their final two games would secure home ice advantage in the first round for the Wild.

The Royals are destined to face one of the top 3 teams in the West, but won’t know who until this weekends games have been played.

The two teams will clash again Friday night in Victoria’s final game of the regular season.