The Victoria Royals have drawn first blood in the B.C. Division two-three playoff matchup with the Prince George Cougars. Friday night in Victoria, the Cougars stormed out to a 2-0 lead, but allowed four unanswered goals in the second period en route to a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Royals. Branden Magee had three goals an assist for Victoria while Brad Morrison paced the Cougars offense with two assists. The Cougars power play went three-for-four and they killed off all three Victoria power play chances.

Early in the first the Royals got into penalty trouble and the Cougars made them pay. With both Ralph Jarratt and Travis Brown in the box, the Cougars struck twice in a 58 second span. First Tate Olson one-timed home a Joseph Carvalho pass from the high point through traffic to get the game’s first goal at 6:08. Then Chase Witala knocked home a Jari Erricson pass from the low slot at 7:06 to move the Cougars ahead by two.

For the remainder of the period the Cougars largely controlled the play, and after killing off one Victoria power play they went into the first intermission up by two goals. Prince George outshot the Royals 12-9 in the first.

After a solid first, the Cougars had a tough time in the second when Victoria started their push-back.

At 4:59 of the first, Branden Magee got Victoria on the board when he raced into the high slot and fired a wrist shot past the glove of Ty Edmonds for his first of what would eventually be three on the night. 60 seconds later, Magee took an Alex Forsberg pass in the left circle and beat Edmonds under the glove for his second of the period.

Moments later, the Cougars had a great chance to restore their lead, but Coleman Vollrath slid to his right and made a terrific stop off of Chase Witala on a two-on-one which kept the game tied at two.

That save would prove to be important because Victoria would take the lead a few moments later during four-on-four play.

Greg Chase took a pass at his own blueline, raced up the ice with speed, slipped between the defense in alone on Ty Edmonds and beat him to the stick side to give Victoria their first (and last) lead of the game.

Branden Magee would add a late marker at the 18:44 mark of the second to secure his hat-trick, and to give Victoria their two goal lead in response. Shots were even at 17-17 after 40 minutes.

Back came the Cougars early in the third when Victoria once again got into penalty trouble. Brad Morrison slipped between a couple of Victoria defenders, got in close to the net before slipping a back-hand pass to his left to Kody McDonald who did the rest, slipping a low shot through Vollrath and in to make the game 4-3.

Moments later the Cougars came very close to tying the game, but Tyler Mrkonjic’s wrap around opportunity was foiled by a goal line stop by the stick of Chaz Reddekop, and Victoria’s lead remained at one.

The Cougars continued to apply solid pressure and outshot the Royals 14-8 in the final frame, but unfortunately for them their comeback bid would come a goal short. Taylor Crunk iced the game for Victoria with an empty netter at 19:28 and the Royals held on to earn the 5-3 victory in Game 1.

Prince George outshot the Royals 31-25, and dominated the special teams war going three-for-four on the power play and killing off all three of Victoria’s power play chances.

Tomorrow night the Cougars will look to secure a weekend split when they face the Royals in Game 2 at the Save on Foods Memorial Centre.