The Victoria Royals had an eventful week on and off the ice including a trip out east to face some stiff competition, a franchise record set, a major injury to a top player and an interesting trade. Here are some of the stories from the past week:
Road Trip Recap: Victoria traveled east for the second time already this year to face teams in the East and Central divisions and came away with mixed results. The Royals faced some of the top teams in the WHL this year, went win-less (0-2-0-2) over the four games.
Nov.28: Victoria 4 – Moose Jaw 7
Victoria started there road trip against arguably their stiffest competition in the Moos Jaw Warriors. The Royals hung in with the Warriors for much of the game, but Warriors forward Justin Almeida proved too much to handle, scoring short-handed, on the power play and at even strength. Full game recap here by DUBNetwork’s Matthew Gourlie.
Nov.29: Victoria 2 – Swift Current 3 (OT)
It was a night of likely high and low points for Victoria’s Tyler Soy. In the third period, Soy set the franchise record for most career points (more info below) with a goal to force overtime against the powerful Broncos. In the extra time, Soy took a penalty and Swift Current captain Glenn Gawdin scored 11 seconds into the man-advantage for the win.
Dec.1: Victoria 3 – Medicine Hat 4 (OT)
The Royals looked to be in control early, up 3-1 in the first period. However the Tigers regrouped and eventually clawed their way back to force overtime. In the extra time, Swedish import defenceman Linus Nassen scored hit first career WHL goal, and OT winner.
Dec.2: Victoria 1 – Lethbridge 4
In what was likely a date the Royals had circled on the calendar, following the decisive 10-4 victory Lethbridge laid on the Royals at home on Nov 21st, Victoria was once again defeated by the Hurricanes, the second time in 11 days. The first goal came from the Hurricanes though as Jake Elmer scored short-handed to cause the fans to rain down the teddy bears. The Hurricanes did not look threatened at all by Victoria and seem to have the west coast team’s number. Victoria looked flat, unable to connect passes and generally fatigued, possibly due to quality of teams they have face on this trip. Full game recap here by DUBNetwork’s
Record Setter: Scoring a power play goal in the third period against Swift Current, Tyler Soy set the franchise record for most career points with his 265th (125g-140a) career point. Soy passed former Royal and Chilliwack Bruin Brandon Magee, who had 264 points (113g-151a) in 318 games.
With the goal, @AnaheimDucks' prospect @_SoySauce_ has set the new franchise record for most career points! The record was previously held by alumnus @bmagee18. pic.twitter.com/FzD8ZXQDZ6
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) November 30, 2017
Sniper Injured: Regan Nagy, who has an early 18 goals in 26 games played, injured a finger while blocking a shot versus Moose Jaw on Tuesday night and is now expected to miss up to six weeks. It’s a literal bad break for the forward as he was having a breakout year thus far.
Royals Debut: Tyus Gent played in his first career WHL game for the Royals versus Swift Current. Gent has been playing with the Delta Hockey Academy Prep this season where he has totaled 34 points (16g-18a) in 20 games. He recorded his first point, an assist on Dante Hannuon’s goal versus Lethbridge.
Acquisition on D: -The Victoria Royals pulled off a trade on Friday, acquiring defenceman Kade Jensen from the Brandon Wheat Kings. Jensen, a native of Calgary who is six-foot-three, 218 pounds and has 344 PIMS in 277 career WHL games. The acquisition of Jensen immediately helps the Royals in the area of size and toughness, while adding another veteran to their younger defensive corps. Jensen was not in the lineup for Saturday’s action in Lethbridge.
The Royals next game is at home Friday Dec 8th as the Kootenay Ice make a rare trip to Victoria and the game is also the Teddy Bear Toss to support local charities.
