Fahey scores the Teddy Toss Goal
River Fahey struck early last Saturday for the Royals’ Teddy Bear Toss goal. At just 3:21 into the action against the Seattle Thunderbirds, Fahey buried the puck to send the stuffed animals flying.
“It was awesome, all the fans, the bears,” Fahey told Marlon Martens post game. ” It was a great feeling.”
“Keanu [Derungs] passed it up to me, it went off the goalie and in,” said Fahey. ” It was kind of a blur after that.”
The goal was quicker than the previous fastest “Teddy” goal, scored in 2013-14 by Austin Carroll at 3:51 of the first period. Fahey now joins the list of Royals’ scorers who notched the Teddy Bear Goal: D-Jay Jerome (2018-19), Eric Florchuk (2017-18, 2016-17), Ethan Price (2015-16), Axel Blomqvist (2014-15), Carroll (2013-14, 2012-13) and Zane Jones (2011-12).
The Royals went on to beat the Thunderbirds 3-1 on Saturday, earning a split of the weekend games. Also scoring with Fahey was Brandon Cutler, who added a pair of goals. Shane Farkas was solid yet again in net, stopping 31 of 32 shots. With the victory, Farkas has now won the last seven games he has started.
Farkas gets recognized
Shane Farkas has been excellent in net for the Victoria Royals, and has earned the WHL Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week honours.
Appearing in three games last week, Farkas had a 2-0-0-0 record and stopped 77 of 80 shots he faced.
The recognition was the third time in his WHL career and second this season for Farkas.
Captain Schultz
There was more news from Team Denmark, this time announcing that Royals’ captain Phillip Schultz would also wear that honour for his country. It is the second time Schultz has worn the “C” for his country, the first being for the Under-18 team at the 2018 Under-18 World Championships Division 1A Group tournament.
Through three games at the tournament, Schultz has a goal and two assists.
This is the third consecutive year that Schultz has made Team Denmark’s Under-20 team and first at the Under-20 World Championship Division 1, Group A Tournament.
Milestones
Friday’s game versus Seattle some three members of the Royals reach milestones. Defencemen Mitchell Prowse played in his 200th career game, while Matthew Smith hit his 150th game played. Both players have played their entire WHL careers with the Royals. Shane Farkas came into the game as relief, and it marked his 100th game, 84 with the Portland Winterhawks and 16 with Victoria.
On Saturday versus the Thunderbirds, Brandon Cutler played his 200th WHL game, split between the Royals and Red Deer Rebels. Culter marked the occasion by by netting two goals.
Saturday was also the 300th WHL regular season home game for the club. Home has been kind to the Royals, as they hold an all-time regular season record of 179-98-12-11 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
Skate with the Players Butchart Gardens
On Sunday, the Victoria Royals skated at the Butchart Gardens in their yearly event. Skating on the outdoor rink, it was an opportunity for fans to meet the players, get autographs and of course skate in the beautiful surroundings of Butchart Gardens, a world-renowned attraction.
