VICTORIA 2 PRINCE GEORGE 0
His self-proclaimed nickname is The Real Deal.
Patrik Polivka, turning into the Royals' go-to goaltender, was just that on Friday night in recording his second shutout of the Western Hockey League season in a 2-0 victory over the Cougars in Prince George.
The rookie import, who has played for the Czech Republic U-16, U-17 and U18 national teams, made 30 saves for his victory before a sparse announced crowd of 1,771 at CN Centre.
What's impressive about this guy is that nothing seems of faze him and he can quickly put bad games behind him. His blank sheet came after allowing three goals in the final 9: 33 of regulation time, and the shootout winner by Moose Jaw, in a 4-3 Warriors decision on Tuesday night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
"Patrik did everything we expect of him," said Royals head coach Dave Lowry, by phone, following the game.
"He gave us a chance to win tonight."
Role forward Austin Carroll, with his third of the season, opened scoring just one minute and four seconds into the game. Little could he or the rest of the Royals have guessed that it would stand as the winning goal.
Jamie Crooks, with his 13th goal of the season, advanced that to a two-goal advantage at 11: 53 of the second period on the power play.
It was the dangerous and nervy Crooks's 50th goal in a Royals jersey over two seasons.
The flashy Russian 20-year-old import Alex Gogolev assisted on both goals to push his team-leading points total to 32 as Victoria moved to (13-12-1).
"We found a way to win," said Lowry.
"We did a lot of good things."
Mac Engel made 28 saves in the Prince George net as the youthful Cougars fell to 9-13-4.
Victoria was one-for-five on the powerplay and the Cougars held to zero-for-four.
Polivka, Engel and Gogolev, in order, were named the game three stars.
The teams play again tonight in the north country before the Royals head back down Highway 97 to prepare to face the fading Vancouver Giants on Wednesday night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
This Prince George team, which split a two-game set last weekend on the Island, can't be discounted tonight.
"The Cougars are a young team and they work," said Lowry, before the game.
"We have to match their work rate to give ourselves an opportunity this weekend."
It was Polivka who gave Victoria its opportunity Friday night and the Royals took it.
The Royals are at 14-12-1.
