You don’t usually win a game within 39 seconds, but that’s more than enough time for some teams to get behind the eight-ball and play catch-up.
A trio of quick strike goals in the second period from Ben Riche, Dawson Pasternak and Tanner Scott paced the Victoria Royals to a 5-3 upset victory over the Prince George Cougars on Friday in front of 2,899 fans at CN Centre.
Pasta makes it a two-goal lead! pic.twitter.com/5KHpyOYxNB
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) December 9, 2023
After a scoreless first, Victoria used their speed to capitalize on some loose defensive coverage from the Cougars.
Reggie Newman began a 3-on-1 rush, connecting with Tanner Scott who zinged a shot past Cougars netminder Josh Ravensbergen for a 1-0 lead.
Seventeen seconds later, Pasternak capped off a cross-ice feed from Ben Riche, who found another hole past Ravensbergen adding to the Royals edge.
The roof continued to cave in on PG – this time it was Riche who was the beneficiary of a Pasternak dish wiring a blast past the rookie netminder.
This will teach you to go to the washroom during the intermission!
The @victoriaroyals score three goals in the first 1:13 of the second period. pic.twitter.com/TBTMzLKGyZ
— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 9, 2023
Ravensbergen, who gave up three goals on 11 Victoria shots was pulled in favour of Ty Young.
Zac Funk single-handedly led the second-period comeback for PG adding his 31st and 32nd of the season.
His first goal was a one-timer courtesy of a cross-ice feed from Riley Heidt along the half-wall, which handcuffed Victoria netminder Braeden Holt.
Funk’s second marker came ten minutes later as Hunter Laing spotted the overage forward, who’s wicked wrister blew past the blocker of Holt.
The WHL’s leading goal scorer now has 14 goals in his past SEVEN games!🤯@PGCougars pic.twitter.com/QNeoOeRxM3
— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 9, 2023
PG then got themselves back to even terms prior to intermission. This time it was Heidt who was on the receiving end of a Funk pass and got just enough of the puck past Holt to tie it at 3-3.
The @PGCougars STORM back from a three-goal deficit and will head into the final period even!@mnwild pic.twitter.com/1WHhS3irpd
— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 9, 2023
Undeterred and unfazed, rookie import Casper Evensen-Haugen notched the game-winning goal at 1:29 of the third period for the Royals. The 18-year-old from Oslo, Norway went up the wall and blasted a shot blocker side on Ty Young, cleanly beating the Vancouver Canucks prospect.
Ryan Spizawka added the insurance marker on a 2-on-1 rush following offsetting minors to Ondrej Becher (PG) and Reggie Newman (Royals).
“At the start of the first (period) I thought we were a little slower and then got our game going into the second. The start of the second we made some mistakes and gave up some odd-man rushes and grade A scoring chances – we fought our way back, played a lot of good hockey but those critical errors and were chasing the game right from the start,” said Mark Lamb, Cougars head coach and general manager.
“We did a lot of good things, but those critical errors put us behind the eight-ball, and we couldn’t fight back.”
The Cougars outshot the Royals 38-21 but came up empty on a pair of third period power-plays. Victoria did not go on the man-advantage.
Holt, who was not among the game’s three stars despite stopping 35 Cougar shots, made several heart stopping saves to keep the Royals either tied or in the driver’s seat in the second and third periods.
“Since I have been here, he has given us some top-end goaltending in this league. From what I have seen going into my seventh year in this league he has given us as good as you can get,” said James Patrick, Victoria head coach.
The majority came off scoring chances from Terik Parascak, Funk and Becher.
Victoria improves to 18-11-0-2, four points back of the Cougars (21-8-0-0) for the BC Division lead.
Patrick also told MyPGNow.com after the game, while the effort wasn’t picture perfect, they found a way to beat the second-ranked team in the CHL.
“At times, we played well. I thought our start in the first ten to twelve minutes was how we had to play. We didn’t give up the scoring chances, but we didn’t give up the rush chances but in the last six or seven minutes they could have had four or five goals, and our goalie was outstanding.”
“We capitalized on our opportunities at the end of the night. There were periods where we came out with the three goals including two on one shift and it gives you some breathing room but you knew there was going to be a big pushback with the talent they have.”
Even with the split already locked away, Patrick stated his team needs to continue with its even-keel approach to cap off the weekend series.
“I told the guys we are going to enjoy this for about five minutes and get ready for our next game. We are playing the second-ranked team in the country, a team that has had a great start and rightfully so with the talent they have. We are going to clean up some of our game and learn from tonight.”
After starting the season 0-4, including a pair of lopsided losses against PG September 29th and 30th (11-2 and 5-3), Victoria has gone 18-7-0-2 since.
The Royals shook up their team with a blockbuster trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors dealing blueiner Kaleb Parker and forward Brayden Schurrman east in exchange for Riche along with two first-round picks (2024 and 2026), a second-round pick in 2025, a third-round pick in 2027 and a fifth-round pick in 2026. Moose Jaw also received an eighth rounder in return.
Since coming to Victoria, Riche has tallied 20 points in 27 games. The Royals also acquired Pasternak from the Brandon Wheat Kings. Pasternak, who also suited up for the Portland Winterhawks, has notched 30 points in 25 contests.
In addition, the team nucleus is also centred around star 16-year-old Cole Reschny. The 3rd overall pick in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft out of Macklin, Saskatchewan has paid early dividends with 26 points in 27 contests.
Reschny suited up for Team Canada Red at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge posting eight points in five games.
Both teams finish off the double-header tonight (Saturday) with the Teddy Bear Toss game at 6pm from CN Centre, a contest that is likely to be in front of a sold-out crowd.