Forwards Marcus Almquist and Tanner Scott collected three points apiece on two goals and an assist to lead the Victoria Royals to a 6-3 win over the Spokane Chiefs on Friday night.
Almquist has been particularly hot to start the new year, recording five points (three goals, two assists) over his past two contests. The Rødovre, Denmark native has totalled nine points on five goals and four assists this season.
The Royals also benefited from multi-point performances from forwards Riley Gannon–who counted one goal and one assist–and Teague Patton who collected a pair of assists in the win.
Starting goaltender Braden Holt put in another solid performance, stopping 31 of 34 shots on the way to recording his 15th win of the season.
Forward Ty Cheveldayoff was the top producer for the Chiefs, recording one goal and one assist, while Spokane goaltender Cooper Michaluk made 23 saves on 29 shots in the defeat.
Victoria (10-24-3-1) forward Marcus Almquist (5) would give his team an early 1-0 lead with his second goal in as many games at the 5:16 mark of the first.
The Royals would then use a powerplay goal by forward Matthew Hodson (9) who tipped-in a Justin Kipkie point shot at 16:07 of the frame to give Victoria a 2-0 lead. Forward Teague Patton would pick up the secondary assist on the goal.
However, Spokane (7-25-1-2) would pull back within one before the end of the first, with forward Chase Bertholet (15) striking at the 19:23 mark to make it 2-1 heading into the second.
Victoria would regain the two goal advantage to start the second via a short-handed goal off the stick of forward Tanner Scott (6) at the 1:29 mark, assisted by forward Riley Gannon.
Gannon (10) would then score a goal of his own at 6:02 of the second, putting the Royals up 4-1 as the game crossed its halfway point. Scott and Almquist would each collect assists on the play.
Following a goal by Chiefs forward Cade Hayes (7) at the 12:42 mark, Victoria would increase their lead to 5-2 a marker by Tanner Scott (7) at 13:59 of the period, giving him two goals in the game.
The back-and-forth action would continue as Spokane brought the game back within two on a penalty shot goal by forward Ty Cheveldayoff (14) at the 17:21 mark.
That would be followed by Marcus Almquist’s (6) second goal of the night at 18:01, wrapping up a chaotic second frame and giving the Royals a 6-3 advantage heading into the final period.
Teague Patton and Tanner Scott would record assists on the play, marking Scott’s third point of the night.
In stark contrast to the second period, the third would pass without a goal from either side and Victoria would walk away with the 6-3 victory at the final buzzer.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs will remain at home to host the Vancouver Giants on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, the Royals will travel further south for another road contest against the Tri-City Americans on Saturday, Jan. 7.
Puck drop for that contest is set for 6:05 pm at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA.
