Royals Get Scorched By Rockets

  The Royals played in their second exhibition game last night against the Kelowna Rockets.  It was much the same in the penalty department for the Royals, but more of that later.  Here is the recap of the game:

  Keith Hamilton started in goal for the Royals, and the Rockets countered with Adam Brown.  Rockets' forward, Shane McColgan got the first goal of the game.  After that goal, the parade to the penalty box for the Royals begin.  The Rockets would get 3 powerplay goals in a span of 3:32.  The powerplay goals were scored by, in order, Madison Bowey, Colton Sissons, and Tyson Baillie.  Kelowna would head to the intermission with a 4-0 lead.  The Royals were outshot 21-3 in the first.

   The second period got off to a positive start for the Royals, as Brett Cote scored a powerplay marker.  Lukas Kralik and Zach Habscheid assisted on the Royals' goal.  Kelowna would respond to that goal with yet another powerplay goal scored, this time, by MacKenzie Johnston.  Brandon Magee responded for the Royals on the powerplay with the assists going to Kade Pilton and Jesse Pauls.  The second would end with the Rockets leading the Royals by a score of 5-2.  Victoria outshot Kelowna 16-8 in the middle frame.

  Jared Rathjen replaced Keith Hamilton in goal to start the 3rd period.  After a push back second period, the Royals came out flat in the third.  Kelowna tacked on two more goals, by Zach Frank and Colton Heffley, before the game was over.  The final score was Kelowna-7 and the Royals-2.  Kelowna outshot Victoria 12-4 in the third and 41-23 for the game.  Kelowna went 4/11 on the powerplay, and Victoria went 2/7 on their own powerplays.

  For the second straight night, the Royals were undisciplined.  They gave up another 11 powerplays in the game and were only able to convert 2/7 of their own powerplays.  I have no doubt that Marc Habscheid will have this team in line by the time the regular season starts.  The first two games have shown that the Royals are a gritty team, but perhaps too gritty and careless.  The first two games have also shown that this is a team still trying to come together and create chemistry.  It will come around.

   Once the regular season starts, and I'm able to see and listen to the games I will be giving more in depth looks to each game.  I will also look into the players more in depth as well.