The 2011 fourth-round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes, acquired mid-season from the Vancouver Giants, scored twice and added two assists as the Blazers defeated the Victoria Royals 6-0 Tuesday night at the Interior Savings Centre.
It was also a big night for the Blazers鈥� strapping six-foot-four defenceman Sam Grist of North Saanich, who had a goal and two assists on the night.
The concern for the Royals is that the Blazers鈥� potential post-season run could come rumbling right through Victoria. If the playoffs began today, the Western Conference third-seed Blazers (45-18-5) would play the sixth-seed Royals (32-27-6).
Maybe of some comfort to Royals fans is that Victoria concluded its eight-game season series against Kamloops 4-4. But of glaring concern has to be the current 10-game losing slide in which Victoria has gone 0-8-2. That鈥檚 no way to be staring into the post-season.
The Royals were outshot 33-12 Tuesday.
Victoria starter Patrik Polivka faced 22 shots in allowing five goals over two periods. Third-period replacement Coleman Vollrath allowed one goal on 11 shots. Kamloops goalie Cole Cheveldave recorded his second consecutive shutout, following Sunday鈥檚 3-0 win against Kelowna.
鈥淎s a group, we鈥檙e not overly pleased,鈥� said Victoria head coach Dave Lowry.
鈥淲e need to execute our game plan.鈥�
The Royals are missing five forwards, and blueliner and captain Tyler Stahl, to injury and called up 15-year-old forward Matthew Campese for the game, their third-round selection in the 2012 bantam draft. Campese had a couple of good scoring chances in his WHL debut.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got to get healthy or we鈥檙e not going to matchup with anybody,鈥� said Lowry, when asked about Victoria鈥檚 4-4 season saw-off against Kamloops.
鈥淸The healthy players] have to step up and expect to play better.鈥�
Among the Blazers鈥� scorers was Colin Smith, with his 41st goal of the season. He also had two assists to push his points total to 103.
The Royals are in Kelowna tonight in another potential first-round playoff preview against the Western Conference second-seed Rockets, who are now only one point ahead of the Blazers.
