By Marlon Martens

The visiting Victoria Royals season came to a close last night in a 5-1 loss against the Portland Winterhawks, falling 4 games to 1.

“It hurts to lose, as a coach you’re extremely disappointed to see these guys and the pain the feel and the disappointment they incur, but that’s part of the process.” Said Head Coach Dave Lowry,

“To win you have to go throught this, we’ll be a better team moving forward, our young guys and the guys that will return will remember this and know that it’s hard to win.”

Victoria did not go down with out a fight, amassing 86 minutes in a fiesty, scrap filled affair.

Portland’s Oliver Bjorkstrand had a 4 point night with a goal and three assists, while Chase Deleo scored a pair. Steven Hodges had the lone goal for Victoria.

Patrik Polivka made 35 saves, while his counterpart Brendan Burke stopped 31.

The ‘Hawks lead 2-0 after 20 on goals by Taylor Leir on the power play and Adam DeChamplain banking one in off Polivka from behind the goal with just :34 seconds left in the frame.

Bjorkstrand pounced on a loose puck in the second period to go up 3-0 before Hodges struck on the power play. Two fights broke out at the end of the middle frame resulting in ejections to Hodges and Joe Hicketts, while Derrick Pouliot was tossed for the ‘Hawks.

In the third Chase Deleo added a pair, including one on the power play to put the game away. Ryan Gagnon and Nic Petan squared off as tempers flared.

Victoria wrapped up a franchise best season, including a 100 point campaign, and reaching the 2nd round for the first time.

“It’s really satisfying, really gratifying to see the results, to be a part of a group that gets 100 points in a season, that says a lot about your group of kids, and to get into the second round and lose to one of the best teams in the country, there’s no shame – but there’s huge disappointment.” Said Lowry

The Royals graduate their three 20 year olds, Jordan Fransoo, Logan Nelson and Ben Walker who played together on a line with his younger brother Jack for the last time.

http://voicevicroyals.blogspot.ca/20...eries-4-1.html

2nd Period Penalties-Hicketts Vic (cross checking), 7:26; Hicketts Vic (roughing), 14:14; Leipsic Por (roughing), 14:14; Pouliot Por (slashing), 15:03; Magee Vic (roughing), 19:56; Leipsic Por (roughing, roughing), 19:56; Carroll Vic (10-minute misconduct), 20:00; Hicketts Vic (major-fighting, game misconduct), 20:00; Hodges Vic (instigator, major-fighting, game misconduct, 10-minute misconduct), 20:00; Pouliot Por (major-fighting, game misconduct), 20:00; Turgeon Por (major-fighting), 20:00.

3rd Period Penalties-Petan Por (tripping), 12:46; Brown Vic (holding), 14:33; Kanzig Vic (10-minute misconduct), 14:58; Gagnon Vic (major-fighting), 15:10; Magee Vic (high sticking, match-attempt/injure), 15:10; Leipsic Por (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 15:10; Petan Por (instigator, major-fighting, game misconduct), 15:10; Carroll Vic (slashing), 18:09.