Royals force game five

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Brandon Magee forced overtime with his ninth goal of the playoffs in Victoria's 5-4 overtime win over Kelowna Wednesday.

Greg Chase scored 5:30 into overtime Wednesday giving the Victoria Royals a thrilling 5-4 come from behind win over the Kelowna Rockets.

The game winner came during a mad scramble in front of the Rockets net with goaltender Justin Paulic on the bench for an extra attacker because of a delayed penalty against the Rockets.

With Jackson Whistle trying to get back into position the puck bounced to Chase in the left faceoff. His low shot squeaked past Whistle's outstretched pad.

The win allows the Royals to stave off elimination and force a fifth game in the series Friday back at Prospera Place.

The Rockets appeared to be home and cooled leading by two with just over 10 minutes left.

However, unlike the previous night when the Rockets were able to close out a 4-2 win, they were unable to do so tonight as Victoria scored goals 24 seconds apart to tie the game and force overtime.

Jack Walker made it 4-3 when Madison Bowey's clearing attempt hit the side and bounced to Walker who squeezed the puck past Whistle.

Just 24 seconds later Brandon Magee's shot from the slot deflected off Leon Draisaitl's stick and trickled between Whistle's pads and across the goal line.

Kelowna had a chance to win it in the extra period when Magee took a goaltender interference penalty 14 seconds into overtime, however, the power-play was unable to generate any chances.

The best chance came off the stick of Victoria's Logan Fisher who rang a shot off the cross bar with Whistle beaten.

The Rockets led 3-1 after one period on goals from Lucas Johansen, Tyson Baillie and Rourke Chartier.

Tomas Soustal scored in the second to restore the Rockets third two-goal lead of the game - one which they were unable to maintain.

The Rockets had chances to stretch the lead earlier in the game. Nick Merkley was stoned by Paulic on a second period penalty shot and Gage Quinney hit the cross bar on a third period power-play. They also went 0-8 with the man advantage.

Including playoffs, the Rockets were 46-1-3-0 when leading after 40 minutes.

Assistant coach Kris Mallette said after the game the team knew the Royals would throw everything they had at the Rockets to try and extend their season.

"It was in our grasp but nobody said it was going to be easy. Nobody envisioned before we started playoffs that we were going to breeze through this a perfect four and 0 and after this eight and 0," said Mallette.

"This is going to be a learning curve for our group. We get on the ferry bright and early tomorrow and go back home."

Mallette said unlike Tuesday the Royals were able to get pucks deep in the third period and create a good forecheck.

"We were maybe panicking a little bit but not shutting it down like we did the night before.

"They are a team that was playing for their lives so we knew they were going to come. They got a couple of lucky ones...that's going to happen but like I said, we move on."

Wednesday's loss also snapped the Rockets seven game post season winning streak.

Game five is set for 7 p.m. Friday with game six if necessary back in Victoria Sunday.