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WHL Victoria Royals

Giants Blank Royals 4-0 Behind Vikman's Third Career Shutout

February 26, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria Royals defenceman Kalem Parker
Victoria Royals defenceman Kalem Parker
(Victoria Royals)

Langley, BC - Victoria drops first game of home-and-home weekend series against Vancouver.

Vancouver Giants' goaltender Jesper Vikman stopped all 17 shots he faced on Friday night in a 4-0 win over the Victoria Royals, earning the third shutout of his young career. He improves his record to 17-14-3 in 2021-2022.

Forward Zack Ostapchuk led the way for the Giants' offence, scoring a pair of second period goals to bring his season total up to 28 (14 goals, 14 assists) on the campaign.

Teammate Fabian Lysell also had a strong performance for the home side, netting one in the third and adding an assist on Ostapchuk's second goal to cap a two-point night. The Göteborg, Sweden product has recorded 10 points (five goals, five assists) in six contests against Victoria this year.

The win improves the Giants' record to 20-25-2-0 (42 points) on the season as they jump the Prince George Cougars and take sole possession of sixth place in the conference.

Meanwhile, the Royals remain stuck in a three-way tie for the eighth and final playoff spot with Tri-City and Spokane with a 14-31-4-1 record and 33 points.

The game would remain scoreless until 1:53 of the second period when Vancouver forward Zach Ostapchuk slipped a short-handed goal past Royals' goaltender Campbell Arnold for his 13th of the year.

The Giants would add on midway through the frame with Ostapchuk's second of the period and 14th of the year, coming on the powerplay at 8:59.

Vancouver would carry their momentum into the third, making it 3-0 on a goal credited to forward Cole Shepard (5) after the puck redirected off the shoulder of Arnold and into the back of the net at 1:29 of the frame. The score would hold there until 14:37 when Vancouver's Fabian Lysell stick-handled through a pair of Royals defenders to net his 18th of the season in highlight-reel fashion, putting his team up by four as the game entered its final minutes.

The Royals were able to generate a number of quality scoring chances throughout the final period, but Giants' goaltender Jesper Vikman stood strong between the pipes and his team would eventually take home the 4-0 victory.

Victoria's Campbell Arnold made 29 of 33 saves on the way to his 14th loss of the season.

The next Victoria Royals home game will be on Saturday, February 26 at 7:05 pm against the Vancouver Giants. The game will have a "Hockey For All" theme presented by realtor Charlsey Macgregor and will highlight diversity and inclusivity.

For tickets to upcoming Royals games, visit the Victoria Royals ticketing page or call the Select Your Ticket box office at 250-220-7777. Visit the Royals promo page for all special ticket offers.

Follow the Royals on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok and visit our website to find out more about ticket sales and the latest news on the team. To get all your Royals news in one place, download the new Royals app available on both Apple and Google stores.

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Images from this story

Victoria Royals defenceman Kalem Parker
Victoria Royals defenceman Kalem Parker
   



Western Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2022


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