Spending time in the Calgary Flames training camp appears to have lifted Matthew PhillipsB次元官网网址檚 game, to the extent that was possible.
Last yearB次元官网网址檚 top scorer for the Victoria Royals (50 goals, 90 points) returned from the NHL camp in peak condition and responded by scoring three times and setting up another goal in FridayB次元官网网址檚 home and Western Hockey League season opener, a 7-1 win over the Vancouver Giants.
Matthew Phillips (3G) and Griffin Outhouse (1 GA) lead to 7-1 win over tonight in home, season opener
B次元官网网址� Victoria B次元官网网址 (@VictoriaB次元官网网址)
The third-year forward said it was important for the veteran players to set a good example for the rookies.
B次元官网网址淭here was a lot of nerves,B次元官网网址� he said of the younger players. B次元官网网址淚n my first home opener I was pretty nervous. I think itB次元官网网址檚 pretty exciting for the first few shifts, but after that you kind of settle in. I think all the older guys did a pretty good job of kind of leading and dictating the pace, so it was a fun night.B次元官网网址�
The Royals held period leads of 2-0 and 4-1, but were outshot 36-28 by a determined, yet unlucky Giants squad.
While he was happy to see his star player enjoy a fast start to the season, Victoria head coach Dan Price spread the kudos around.
B次元官网网址淢atthew, as we know, competes so hard, heB次元官网网址檚 a great teammate and works so hard every day, so that was great to see him rewarded, but there was a lot of great efforts around him,B次元官网网址� he said. Price pointed to the work of rookie wingers Tarun Fizer and Dino Kambeitz and defenceman Jeremy Mosello, all playing their first WHL games.
Price also noted that it didnB次元官网网址檛 feel like a 7-1 game. Were it not for the stellar goaltending early on of Griffen Outhouse, the coach said, it might have been a very different game.
B次元官网网址淰ancouver competed hard, they had a lot of chances both ways B次元官网网址� Griff made some huge saves for us early to keep us in, and fortunately that gave us a chance for our power play to eventually convert, but I didnB次元官网网址檛 think the score was indicative.B次元官网网址�
Phillips, who notched one goal each on the power play, shorthanded and even strength, agreed that Outhouse was a difference maker.
B次元官网网址淕riffen played an extremely good game; he made a lot of saves that he had no business making,B次元官网网址� Phillips said.
Ryan Peckford was named second star of the game behind Phillips, after scoring twice and assisting on PhillipsB次元官网网址� early third period power play marker that made it 5-1.
Igor Martynov tallied VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 first goal of the season just 3:12 into the game, feathering a between the legs shot past GiantsB次元官网网址� starting goalie Todd Scott. Kambeitz jammed the puck home to round out the scoring 6:29 into the final frame, after which Scott was pulled in place of David Tendeck.
Ty Ronning scored the lone Vancouver goal with eight seconds left in the second period.
Special teams made a big difference in the game, as the Royals went 3-for-8 on the power play compared to 0-for-6 for the Giants.
The teams are back at it again tomorrow night (Sept. 23) in Langley, and despite the lopsided score tonight, Phillips indicated it wonB次元官网网址檛 be an easy game Saturday.
B次元官网网址淚 think we definitely have some stuff to clean up for tomorrow, but thereB次元官网网址檚 always some positives as well,B次元官网网址� he said.
