VICTORIA 4 PRINCE GEORGE 3
There apparently are some things you aren't supposed to do - like spit into the wind, tug on Superman's cape or win a U.S. presidential election with an unemployment rate near eight per cent.
In the Western Hockey League, as tepid as the Prince George Cougars have been in recent seasons, it is still considered difficult for a visiting team to come into that northern sa国际传媒 community and sweep a two-game set.
But that's exactly what the Victoria Royals (15-12-1) did this weekend, following up Friday's 2-0 victory with a 4-3 win Saturday night over the Cougars before only 1,651 announced fans at CN Centre.
Unanswered goals in the third period by Mitch Deacon, only his second of the season, at 12: 15 and defence-man Brett Cote at 13: 14 pulled it out for the Royals on Saturday. Cote is becoming Mr. Clutch. Of his four goals on the season, three have been game winners.
"Brett has a good shot and the ability to score," said Victoria head coach Dave Lowry.
"That's what happens when you put shots on net, which we did in the third period."
This youthful but spirited Prince George side is only 9-14-4, but it split a two-game set last weekend on the Island and can't be discounted on any night.
That certainly showed as the Cougars held a 31-14 shots advantage and 3-2 lead after two periods Saturday.
"We were better in the third period," said Lowry.
"In the third, we played the way we are capable of playing and found a way to win a hockey game up here."
Victoria sniper Jamie Crooks, with his 14th goal of the season, opened the scoring at 7: 25 of the first period. Austin Carroll made it 2-0 on the power play at 12: 03. Push back, however, was swift from the home side as the Cougars levelled through a shorthanded goal by Daulton Siwak at 13: 12 and a counter by Ryan Hanes at 17: 50. Defenceman Marc McNulty's fifth of the season put the Cougars ahead at 10: 16 of the second period.
Victoria's rookie Czech netminder Patrik Polivka was busy making 34 saves while Mac Engel stopped 22 shots for Prince George.
The Royals now head back down Highway 97 to prepare to face the fading Vancouver Giants (7-20) on Wednesday night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Then there's next Saturday's unique match-up at the Memorial Centre in which Royals bench boss Lowry will face his son Adam Lowry, the six-foot-five captain of the Swift Current Broncos, 2011 third-round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets and a likely impact forward for sa国际传媒 at the world junior championships next month in Russia.
Victoria then rides a three-game road trip through Seattle on Dec. 11, Red Deer on Dec. 14 and Edmonton on Dec. 15 into a 13-day Christmas Break.
