Credit: Keith Dwiggins

By Marlon Martens

'Hawks Take 2-0 Series lead with 5-1 Win

Royals Unable To Recover From Early Deficit

Mar 30, 2024 | 11:06 PM

“Our defensive zone coverage and special teams were the difference in the game.” – HC James Patrick

The Portland Winterhawks jumped to 3-0 first period lead, en route to a 5-1 victory over the Victoria Royals Saturday night, to take a 2-0 best of seven playoff series lead.

“They spent way too many :30 to :40 second shifts generating chances, and we were just standing still.” said Patrick,

“The defensive zone coverage is something that we’ve worked on a lot and we were so passive…someone has to take the lead and challenge someone, then we can get set in on how to defend.”

The Royals came out stronger in the middle frame, and out shot the ‘Hawks 13-10 and got the game to 3-1 early.

Royals Defenseman Ranked 89th By NHL CSS

Misskey Looks Towards The NHL Draft

Apr 16, 2024

Royals Top Rookie Reflects & Looks Ahead

Reschny's Record Setting Year

Apr 08, 2024

Coaches Message To Players After Season

Locker Room Clean Out Day

Apr 05, 2024

“I liked our second period, we out-shot them, we limited them, they didn’t have that many chances. I think they had three. However, at the end of the day, the period was 1-1.”

Victoria rookie Cole Reschny was all over the ice for the Royals, leading them in shots with 6 at the end of the night. He also hit a crossbar and had a chance to get the club to within one in the middle frame, but was denied on a shorthanded breakaway by Jan Spunar.

“You never know in these games…” pondered Patrick on what could’ve been, had Reschny scored,

“That could have changed the game totally.”

Portland’s Head Coach and GM Mike Johnston echoed those sentiments.

“That save on Reschny might have been a game changer, if they had scored there it would’ve turned the game a bit, given them some juice and momentum, but he took that away and then we continued to play well to the end of the second.”

The ‘Hawks promptly restored the three goal lead with the man advantage, to go up 4-1 heading to the final frame.

“I didn’t like their power play goal. It’s one we’d like to have back….it made the period even, and the score 4 to 1, and that’s tough to come back from.” mentioned the Royals bench boss.

One night earlier Patrick was not pleased with club’s time with the man advantage, on this night they went 1 for 4, but Portland went 2 for 8.

“We’re still just not getting enough positive energy off our power play.” cited Patrick on one of the differences in the game.

The Winterhawks also struck early and late in periods, which can often be deflating and back breakers for clubs.

“We give up a goal in the first three minutes of two of the three periods. That’s about being ready to play, focus, attention to detail, so you don’t give up goals early.”

The goal at the start of the third swung the game to 5-1, instead of Victoria getting the next one, which would have cut the lead to 4-2.

“If you get a goal at some point (then), it changes the complexion of the game, but we gave one up first or second shift.”

Johnston was pleased with their start and then how his club finished the game.

“It’s so important in the playoffs how you play in the third period, last night we had to comeback and tonight we had to hold the lead, we had two different scenarios – we handled them both well.”

The Royals directed a lot of rubber at the net throughout the game, however many attempts didn’t make their way through.

“We had some looks, they blocked shots or we hit them. We just have to do a better job of getting pucks through.” said Patrick, and then offered a solution,

“You have to shoot it quicker, or you have to pump fake. There’s obviously some adjustments we have to make, but there was some zone time by us. At the end of the day, someone has to come through with a big play if you want to stay in the game or win a game.”

The players on both teams had to contend with a different officiating crew on night two, who drastically called a much tighter game, as opposed to one that was continually boiling over on Friday.

“It was called a lot tighter, at the opposite end of the spectrum from last night.” agreed Patrick,

“However, it was fair both ways, and it had no factor in the game. You have to put that aside. You have to focus on our team, on the system, on how hard you can compete. If you take care of those things, you have a better chance to win.”

Victoria got their lone goal from Dawson Pasternak, coming against his former team.

Portland got two goals and an assist from Edmonton Oilers signed prospect James Stefan, who score 50 goals during the regular season. ‘Hawks Captain Gabe Klassen added a trio of assists. Defenceman Luca Cagnoni who scored twice Friday, added another goal and a helper.

Royals defenceman Austin Zemlak who left Friday’s game did not dress, however veteran rearguard Ryan Spizawka returned the line up from injury after missing 13 games. Victoria still has 4 injured players.

Portland out shot the opposition 33-20 on the night, and for a second straight game where the better in the face off circle winning 30 to Victoria’s 22.

The series shifts back to the Island for games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday, with a game Friday as well, if necessary. Puck drop at 7pm each night.