The Tri-City Americans began the postseason Friday Night against B.C. Division foe, the Victoria Royals. Last time these two teams met in the playoffs, it was a sweep in favor of Tri-City. However, Johnny Hicks in net for Victoria had other plans. As he was able to lead the Royals to a 3-0 win with a shutout to start the series right, turning away several Grade A scoring chances for Tri-City in the third period.

In the opening twenty minutes of the playoffs, Victoria dominated in terms of opportunities and outshot the Americans 9-3. However, it was much thanks to one of the most key players for Tri-City in this series, goaltender Lukas Matecha, that the Royals remained off the board in the first period. The highlight of the period was overager Kenta Isogai‘s breakaway opportunity. Isogai was denied his initial shot by Matecha, though Isogai then gathered the rebound and fired a second chance off Matecha’s pad.

No teams were granted a power play opportunity in the first. However, you could make the argument that if it were the regular season still. The Americans would have had a shot on the power play as Carter MacAdams was dragged down in front of the Royals net, charging for the puck.

Tri-City started off in the second period much better, getting more shots on net before the first media timeout than they did in the entire first period with four. The Americans would take the first penalty of the game though, a very unnecessary one at that. The call was a cross-check from Jackson Smith, which was done out of a bit of frustration as the team had failed to get the puck out of the zone.

Victoria has the second-best power play unit in the entire league, a team you do not want to give up penalties to, finishing the regular season with a 28.6% power play. Tri-City were able to kill it off though, but the pressure did not stop. As eventually, the Royals drew a second penalty, this time it was kneeing by former Royals defenseman, Austin Zemlak. This time, the Americans were not so lucky, and the Royals capitalized, opening the scoring in the series at 13:30 in the second.

NHL Draft Prospect Cole Reschny charged into the Americans end with the puck along the left-wing. Reschny then left the puck for defenseman Justin Kipkie along the left-wing boards. Kipkie then dumped the puck behind the net where Reschny was waiting. Reschny then spotted Brandon Lisowsky net-front unmarked as Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Charlie Elick missed his assignment. Lisowsky from close-ranged one-timed it five-hole on Matecha who had been picture perfect up until that point.

With forty minutes gone, Tri-City were down just 1-0 as the stage was set for a nail-biting third period. The Americans were also trailing in shots 11-16. Tri-City were also scoreless on their lone power play opportunity in the second after Jake Sloan got tripped up in the Americans zone. Victoria were 1-2 on the power play themselves up to this point.

In the final frame, Tri-City had their best opportunities of the night. Savin Virk taking a puck away net-front after blocking a clearing attempt by Keaton Verhoeff and spinning around, firing a shot from close range, but denied by Johnny Hicks. Down the ice the Royals went. A minute after the Virks opportunity, Brandon Lisowsky made it 2-0 with his second goal of the night. Justin Kipkie banked the puck ahead to Brandon Lisowsky as it landed in Lisowsky’s breadbasket. Lisowsky on the right wing then faced the net and snapped a shot by Matecha’s blocker and in.

The Americans would then get a four-minute power play not long after as Jake Gudelj got caught up high with a high-stick by Landon Young of Victoria. However, the Americans power play was cut short by two minutes after Jake Gudelj himself would get caught up with an interference call after knocking over a Royals player on the breakout. Victoria Royals points leader Cole Reschny would secure the Royals Game One with a beautiful goal late in the third. Reschny, along the right-wing boards, halted and worked his way to the middle. Reschny then pump faked and shook off Max Curran before firing a perfect shot over the shoulder of Lukas Matecha and in.

The final score would be as stated 3-0 in favor of Victoria. Shots on net after the final buzzer were 24-22 in favor of Victoria as well. Victoria would go 1/3 on the power play while the Americans had nothing to show for on their power play going 0/3.

Victoria swept the stars with Cole Reschny picking up the third star with a goal and assist. Brandon Lisowsky, with his two-goal night, was awarded second star. Johnny Hicks would come away with first star as he got the shutout for Victoria, making 22 saves total.

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