Credit: Keith Dwiggins

By Marlon Martens

Portland Comes From Behind To Win 4-3

Royals Unable To Close Out ‘Hawks In Game 1

Mar 30, 2024 | 1:14 AM

Credit: Keith Dwiggins

“At playoff time one shift can turn a game, be the difference…it did tonight.” – HC James Patrick

The Victoria Royals were unable to fend off the high octane Portland Winterhawks, who came from behind to take game one of the best of seven playoff series by a 4-3 score.

The ‘Hawks scored three goals in the third the period to pull the rug out on the Royals, who had worked extremely hard to build a 2-1 lead heading to the final frame, before making it close with a goal in the final minute.

“I was happy how we played after the first and second (period),” said Head Coach James Patrick,

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“We probably played really solid for about 45-47 minutes, but the game turned and we gave up the (go ahead) goal…the last 10 minutes might have been the difference.”

Riche jams away. Credit: Keith Dwiggins

Victoria lost Austin Zemlak during the tying goal due to injury, which went uncalled.

The Royals then were unable to retake the lead on a power play shortly after, which led to the go ahead goal after the defense got caught after the club was unable to get it in deep.

“It’s really important where you put pucks against this team because they are one of the best transition teams in the league, if not the best, that go from defense to offense. If you turn over pucks in the neutral zone, or don’t get pucks deep or at some point hold on to pucks in the offensive zone, that just plays into their game. And that was the turning point in the game right there.”

Both clubs struck once on the power play, however Victoria had five chances to Portland’s two.

Patrick was not pleased the clubs performance with the man advantage.

“I didn’t like our urgency, our intensity or the speed we played with. There’s very little I liked about the power play. That was a big factor in the game.”

Another factor was the physicality, with hits being thrown back and forth all game, and then it got a little ugly late with the ‘Hawks taking some liberties. Portland’s Josh Davies took a kneeing penalty on Teydon Trembecky, followed by Nate Danielson’s boarding call after a hit on defenseman Jaren Brinson.

Davies and Victoria’s Reggie Newman were at it all night.

“Certainly that’s a big part of his game.” said Patrick about Newman,

“He is probably the most engaged player we have on the team. The guy who can play a playoff type of hockey more than anyone else. We don’t have a lot of guys who have played playoff games, but if you’ve been around the game long enough, you know that intensity, the physical play, the battle of the compete, it’s way higher than you see in the regular season. We talked a lot about that this past week to get ready for it.

The clubs physical play pleased the bench boss,

“I was happy with how the team came out, definitely the first 10 minutes were really good. It was a back and forth game.”

Winterhawks head coach Mike Johnston was expecting the Royals best effort on opening night.

“There was a lot intensity, a lot of emotion in the game. Both teams knew they had to finish checks.” added Johnston on the physicality of the game,

“You could play them seven games, so it’s going to wear on the team.”

Johnston reaffirmed what Patrick saw about the way the game shifted.

“Victoria won some loose puck battles early in the game…it was a see-saw battle, then I thought we took over the last half of the game.”

The Royals got goals from Tyson Laventure, Tanner Scott and Nate Misskey, while Justin Kipkie added two assists.

“We’re going to have to find goals, manufacture goals, try and throw pucks to the net, whoever gets them, we’re going to need some depth scoring.” said Patrick, on the need for the spread out offense,

“If we want to win this series, you’re going to need a hero, you need different guys coming up big. Obviously they know who our top scorers and our top guys are and they have one of the best defenses in the league. They’re going to really focus on them, and it might take someone else to step up for us.”

Pasternak added an assist against his former club. Credit: Keith Dwiggins

Scott snapped a 15 game goal-less drought, and his ‘monkey off the back’ celebration proved to be a relief for the speedy forward who has played 220 regular season games without once making it to the post season.

“I’ve been in a little bit of a slump myself,” admitted Scott post game about the goal,

“It felt great for me, would’ve felt better if we had won.”

He wasn’t alone being christened into his first WHL playoff game, as only 4 Royals have post season experience.

“That’s a learning experience, that’s a lot of first games for a lot of our team, so the nerves may have got the best of us, maybe…a lot of good things to take away as well.” added the four year veteran.

Credit: Keith Dwiggins

Braden Holt made 30 saves in the defeat while Jan Spunar kicked out 22 in the win.

Patrick spoke about those positives that the club will take into the rematch Saturday night at 6pm.

“The way we played the first two periods, how we defended, protected the middle pretty well. We played our system very well. There’s going to be a lot of sacrifice to try and make some plays, to hold on to pucks, to get in the paint, to get some scoring chances. We did have a bit of that, but we know it’s just a start, and we have a lot of work ahead of us.”