The Victoria Royals (5-5-0-0) lengthy home-stand continued tonight as the Spokane Chiefs (4-3-1-0) were in town for the first of two back-to-back meetings. It was the first of four total meetings on the season between the two squads.
Braden Holt got the start for the Royals following his 25-save performance on Tuesday, while Cooper Michaluk got his fourth start of the season for Spokane.
Spokane would get into a rhythm early as they scored three goals in the opening six and a half minutes to gain an early lead. This would spark a goaltending change for Victoria as Jayden Kraus came in to replace Holt following the third Spokane goal.
Victoria would pull within two on the man-advantage as Robin Sapouŝek continued his impressive run as he buried a rebound to beat Michaluk and get Victoria on the board. That would be the final entry onto the scoresheet in the opening frame as Spokane would carry a two goal lead into the second.
The middle period of play proved to showcase a parade to the penalty box as the two teams combined for a total of nine minor penalties. Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the period.
Spokane would regain their three goal advantage early in the third period as Coco Armstrong notched his first goal in the WHL.
Victoria forced their way back into the game as they scored two goals with the sepciality teams unit as Justin Kipkie notched a short-handed tally before Ben Riche potted a powerplay marker. The Royals were not done there as Dawson Pasternak grabbed an equalizer with just under two minutes to go in regulation to force overtime.
In the extra frame, it was Nate Misskey playing hero as he notched his second of the season to propel the Royals to a 5-4 overtime victory.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
3:50 – Spokane Chiefs Goal
Layton Feist (3) assisted by Will McIsaac and Chase Bertholet
5:16 – Spokane Chiefs Goal
Cameron Parr (1) assisted by Ben Bonni and Coco Armstrong
6:12 – Spokane Chiefs Goal
Connor Roulette (3) assisted by Berkly Catton and Will McIsaac
10:37 – Victoria Royals Goal (PP)
Robin Sapouŝek (6) assisted by Nate Misskey and Tanner Scott
2nd Period
No Scoring
3rd Period
1:54 – Spokane Chiefs Goal
Coco Armstrong (1) assisted by Cameron Parr and Nathan Mayes
11:24 – Victoria Royals Goal (SH)
Justin Kipkie (2) assisted by Cole Reschny and Dawson Pasternak
15:19 – Victoria Royals Goal (PP)
Ben Riche (4) assisted by Dawson Pasternak and Cole Reschny
18:24 – Victoria Royals Goal
Dawson Pasternak (3) assisted by Nate Misskey and Cole Reschny
Overtime
3:09 – Victoria Royals Goal
Nate Misskey (2) unassisted
Shots On Goal
Royals – 36
Chiefs – 29
Powerplay
Royals – 2/9
Chiefs – 0/5
Goalie Stats
Royals
Braden Holt – 7/10
Jayden Kraus – 18/19
Chiefs
Cooper Michaluk – 31/36
