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WHL Victoria Royals

Giants Edge Royals 5-3 in Heated Wednesday Night Rivalry Contest

December 15, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria Royals' Nicholas Cristiano and Vancouver Giants' Samuel Honzek on game day
Victoria Royals' Nicholas Cristiano and Vancouver Giants' Samuel Honzek on game day
(Victoria Royals)

Victoria, BC - Victoria Royals defenceman Kalem Paker collected two points on a pair of assists in a 5-3 loss to the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

The Clavet, SK product leads all Royals blueliners with 17 points on three goals and 14 assists this season.

Forwards Brayden Schuurman, Matthew Hodson and Alex Thacker would count the three goals for the Royals in the loss, while starting goaltender Nicholas Cristiano made 11 saves on 15 shots before being replaced by Logan Cunningham, who would stop seven of eight shots against upon entering the game midway through the second period.

Special teams play proved to be the difference on Wednesday, as the final two goals - including the game-winner - by the Giants came on the man advantage.

Royals General Manager and Head Coach Dan Price emphasized the importance of staying disciplined against a skilled opponent like Vancouver:

"We took way too many penalties," said Coach Price following the game. "I thought we controlled the majority of the game but took too many penalties and the penalty kill wasn't where it needed to be. That's going to be our major focus tomorrow: discipline and penalty killing."

He continued:

"It felt like a bit of a scramble-y game for both sides," said Price. "So I would say a little more simplicity [was needed]. The shot volume was good, but I think when you know there's going to be shot volume like that, when you know the game is going to be a little more scrambled, you need more of a net-front presence."

Forward Jaden Lipinski was the top producer for the Giants in the victory, collecting three points on two goals and an assist, while starting goaltender Jesper Vikman impressed with 31 saves on 34 shots on the way to recording his 10th win of the year.

Vancouver (12-14-3-2) would open the scoring with a goal by Jaden Lipinski (11) at the 6:20 mark of the first period to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

However, Victoria (5-23-3-0) would respond with a power play goal by forward Alex Thacker (5) at 17:16 of the first to bring the score to an even 1-1 entering the second period. Defenceman Kalem Parker would count the lone assist on the play.

Forward Samuel Honzek (17) would regain the lead for the Giants to start the second with a goal at the 5:24 mark of the second.

Vancouver would collect two more goals before the end of the frame, with Lipinski (12) scoring his second of the night at the 10:06 mark and defenceman Dylan Anderson striking at 12:56 to put the giants up 4-1 entering the third.

The Giants would then increase their lead to 5-1 to start the third on a marker by forward Tyler Thorpe (16) at 4:12.

However, the Royals would respond moments later with a goal by forward Brayden Schuurman (5) at the 4:26 mark to cut the lead to 5-2, assisted by defenceman Nate Misskey.

Victoria would then pull within two on a goal by forward Matthew Hodson (8) at 11:36 of the frame, with forward Tanner Scott and defenceman Kalem Parker collecting the assists.

However, that is as close as the home team would get and time would soon expire with the Giants taking home the 5-3 victory.

Looking ahead, the Giants will conduct a home-and-home series against the Portland Winterhawks this weekend, with the first leg set to take place in Langley this Friday night.

Victoria, meanwhile, will remain at home for their final two games before the holiday break against the Tri-City Americans.

The first game of the weekend will take place at 7:05 pm on Friday, Dec. 16 and will feature their annual Teddy Bear Toss following the Royals first goal.

They will then wrap-up with their Christmas Classic the following night, Saturday, Sept. 17, where puck-drop is set for 6:05 pm. Tickets for both games are available at selectyourtickets.com.

Follow the Royals on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, TikTok and visit victoriaroyals.com to find out more about ticket sales and to learn the latest news about the team.

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Multiple ticket packages are available for purchase, including a Family Pack, Holiday Pack, VictoriaNow Family Section, Vizzy Section and Molson Ice Seats. Call our ticket office at 250-220-7889, send an email to tickets@victoriaroyals.comor visit our website to learn more victoriaroyals.com/ticket-promos.

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Images from this story

Victoria Royals' Nicholas Cristiano and Vancouver Giants' Samuel Honzek on game day
Victoria Royals' Nicholas Cristiano and Vancouver Giants' Samuel Honzek on game day
   



Western Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2022


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