The Victoria Royals (37-25-4-2) battled the Spokane Chiefs (39-22-3-2) Wednesday night in Victoria in the second game on back-to-back nights. The Royals looked to continue to build momentum towards the playoffs while the Chiefs looked to redeem themselves after a 7-3 loss the night before.
The start of the first period saw lots of extended play with very few whistles as both teams showed some offensive flash that they are very capable of. Luke Toporowski opened the scoring for the Chiefs, as he out-muscled Dante Hannoun and worked a give-and-go with Hudson Elynuik, then dekeing Outhouse. The goal at 7:58 the 10th of the year for Toporowski, and was reviewed for an offside, but the goal ultimately stood.
Matthew Phillips and Hannoun broke in on a 2-on-0, looking dangerous, but Spokane goalie Dawson Weatherill stood his ground to maintain the Chiefs lead.
Late period action saw the Royals hemmed in their own end, and a potentially scary moment as Outhouse went down hard after being crashed into. After some tense moments, the Victoria netminder got up, flexing his leg but was able to resume.
The second period saw even play between the two teams, with a clean game being played without a lot of after the whistle extras. Victoria was able to tie the game at 1-1, as Tyler Soy slipped the puck around Weatherill to score on a power play breakaway. Soy’s 34th goal of the season caught the Chiefs goalie going the wrong way and he finished on a pretty deke.
Spokane took the lead again in the third, as Kailer Yamamoto was in the right spot to poke home the puck after a scramble in front. The power play goal 7:58 into the second went to review for a second time tonight, and like the first period the goal counted.
The Chiefs added to their lead when Eli Zummack handcuffed Outhouse, causing the Royals netminder to lose track of the puck leading to a 3-1 Spokane lead. For the third time on as many goals, it went to review and was also deemed a good goal.
The Royals scored to make it a 3-2 game, as Soy and Phillips broke into the Chief’s zone on a 2-on-1 shorthanded at 16.02. It wasn’t pretty but Soy was able to take two swipes at the puck and eventually got his second of the night.
With time running out in the game, Coach Dan Price pulled Outhouse for an extra attacker. Spokane was able to seal the game with two empty net goals, the first by Zummack for his second of the game and the second by Elynuik. Final score was 5-2 for Spokane, who earned a split of the two back-to-back games.
The Chiefs were successful in smothering the Royals offense and limited the opportunities for the Victoria power play (1 for 4) to do damage.
Victoria now has a day off before the continue their chase for the B.C. Division title and welcome the Prince George Cougars Friday night in Victoria for the WHL Suits Up night with Don Cherry in support of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
Royals Subjects
- Griffen Outhouse was honored in-game for setting the all-time franchise record for career wins. Outhouse past Coleman Vollrath by securing his 85 career win versus Spokane on Tuesday
With the victory tonight, @outhouse40 passed @Colemanvollrath for the franchise record for most wins with 85! pic.twitter.com/y77EhEnR2G
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) March 7, 2018
