WHL PLAYOFFS 2016 Royals vs. Chiefs Games 1 & 2
The Spokane Chiefs played the Victoria Royals hard in the first two games of their Western Conference Quarter-Final series but could not come out with the split they were most likely hoping for. The Royals speed and forecheck were too much for the hard working Chiefs who couldn’t come up with the goals they needed even with Royals captain Joe Hicketts and Ryan Gagnon not in the lineup for game two.
The surprise of the playoffs especially to the Vancouver Giants is the play of Vladimir Bobylev who has six points in the Royals first two games and was named WHL player of the week. A native of Lipetsk, Russia, Bobylev spent the 2014-15 season with the Vancouver Giants where he recorded nine points (3g-6a) and 39 penalty minutes in 52 games. The Victoria Royals were able to select the 18-year-old Russian winger from the Giants 38th overall in the 2015 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft.
Coleman Vollrath turned away 30 shots in Game 2 and 24 in Game 1 for back-to-back playoff wins.
Games three and four go tonight in Spokane and if game five is necessarily it will be played Friday night back at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada.
Presten Kopeck (27) of the Spokane Chiefs prepares to take a face off against Tyler Soy (17) of the Victoria Royals in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royals Vladimir Bobylev and Chaz Reddekopp chat with members of the Spokane Chiefs in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Joe Hicketts scores for the Victoria Royals in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Coleman Vollrath tracks the puck in game one of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series against the Spokane Chiefs at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Logan Fisher of the Victoria Royals smiles at the Spokane Chief bench in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Lasse Petersen of the Spokane Chiefs stretches to stop Tyler Soy in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series against the Victoria Royals at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royals Vladimir Bobylev ignores members of the Spokane Chiefs in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royals Head Coach Dave Lowry talks to an official in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series against the Spokane Chiefs at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Coleman Vollrath positions himself to stop a slap shot in game one of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series against the Spokane Chiefs at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Logan Fisher celebrates a goal in game one of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series against the Spokane Chiefs at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Scott Walford of the Victoria Royals celebrates a goal with his teammates versus the Spokane Chiefs in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Hayden Ostir of the Spokane Chiefs grimaces on the bench following a goal in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series against the Victoria Royals at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Nik Andersen of the Spokane Chiefs takes a hit from Jared Dmytriw in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series against the Victoria Royals at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Blood spills onto the ice as the Victoria Royals beat the visiting Spokane Chiefs 5-3 in game one of their seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals now lead the series 1 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Regan Nagy (24) battles Spokane Chief Jaret Anderson-Dolan (11) along the boards in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Jared Dmytriw’s stick goes into the media bench in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
There is much more action between the benches in the playoffs both verbally and physically. This is especially the case in this shot where Jared’s stick hit me right over the head and then off the pocket wizard.
Victoria Royal Jordan Wharrie is hit by Spokane Chief Jacob Cardiff (19) in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royals Logan Fisher (20) and Jared Dmytriw (27) battle Spokane Chiefs Kailer Yamamoto (17) and Markson Bechtold (12) in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Vladimir Bobylev reacts on the bench as Spokane Chief Markson Bechtold punches back at Victoria Royal Alex Forsberg after bring driven into the bench in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Tyler Soy tries to put the puck past Spokane Chief Lasse Petersen in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal goaltender Coleman Vollrath protects his crease as Spokane Dominic Zwerger is pushed down in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Tyler Soy tips the puck past Spokane Chief Lasse Petersen in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Logan Fisher tips the puck on goal in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series against the Spokane Chiefs at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Ryan Peckford grabs a hold Spokane Chief Hayden Ostir of in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Regan Nagy (24) battles Spokane Chief Kailer Yamamoto (17) in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Matthew Phillips is grabbed by Spokane Chief Dominic Zwerger in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Jack Walker sports a swollen lip in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series against the Spokane Chiefs at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Vladimir Bobylev delivers a hit on Spokane Chief Evan Fiala in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Chaz Reddekopp grabs Spokane Chief Dalton Hamaliuk (32) in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Spokane Chief Kailer Yamamoto looks at the scoreboard in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Brayden Pachal (22) hits Spokane Chief Markson Bechtold (12) in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Chaz Reddekopp grabs Spokane Chief Kailer Yamamoto in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Spokane Chief Kailer Yamamoto puts his helmet back on, after being grabbed by Victoria Royal Chaz Reddekopp in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Matthew Phillips hits Spokane Chief Matt Sozanski in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royal Coleman Vollrath makes a save versus the Spokane Chiefs in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Spokane Chief goaltender Lasse Petersen speaks with a coach on the bench during a time out in game two of the Victoria Royals seven game Western Hockey League Playoff quarterfinal series at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 26, 2016. The Royals won game one 4-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Victoria Royals Matthew Phillips listens to the Canadian National anthem prior to his first playoff game versus the Spokane Chiefs at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on March 25, 2016. The Royals won game one 5-3 and lead the series 2 games to 0.
Awesomeness on and off the ice!!!!