Playoff feel in two goal loss

• It would be fair to say that the Victoria Royals were opportunistic in last night's 3-1 win over the visiting Kelowna Rockets. The Royals capitalized on two Rockets' miscues in the offensive zone and then found an insurance marker on a soft goal from Steven Hodges in the third period in their 30th win of the season. The Royals made good on keeping their flawless record intact when leading after 40 minutes. Victoria is now 22-0-0-0 when leading after two periods and earned the victory despite being out-shot 13-3 in the final frame.
• Hodges second goal of the game, this one on the power play, came off an individual play after the Royals were working on a 5 on 3 power play. Hodges enter the zone on left wing and from a sharp angle took a shot which beat Jordon Cooke short side/blocker side. It was a shot Cooke would normally stop. Had the Rockets killed off that power play, it would have been interesting to see where the momentum would have swung in a one goal game.   
• A solid game from Royals starting goaltender Patrik Polivka. Named the games second star, the 19 year-old was steady in the win. While the Rockets managed 35 shots on net, the Royals defense did a good job of limiting the number of second chances the visitors had on net. I thought Polivka had to be steady but not spectacular.   
• It marked the first time this season the Rockets' have lost a game when opening up the scoring.  
• Marek Tvrdon made his debut Friday night. While held off the score sheet, a solid game playing on a line with Nick Merkley and Ryan Olsen. Tyrdon created some good things in the offensive zone and made some great passes in an attempt to set up his line mates.Solid debut for a player who hasn't played in a competitive game in over a week. 
• Tyson Baillie took a huge hit from Taylor Crunk in the third period, sending the 18 year-old to the ice and wobbling as he attempted to make his way off it. Surprisingly a few minutes later, on a Rockets power play, Baillie was out there and continued to take a regular shift. Impressive.
• I liked the response that Tyrell Goulbourne had towards the hit. The 19 year-old engaged in a fight with Crunk. Crunk knew it was coming considering he had leveled the Rockets top point getter. 
•  Travis Brown scored his first goal as a member of the Royals. A nice pick up in a trade with Moose Jaw, Brown isn't afraid of getting involved in the play.  Brown was steady defensively too, playing alongside partner Keegan Kanzig. 
• Myles Bell played in his 300th career WHL game. 
• The two teams meet again tonight in Victoria as the Rockets play a league high 26th road game of the season. 
• The Royals have beaten the Rockets twice in regulation time and once in a shootout this season.