WHL Victoria Royals

Royals Edge Past Giants

Published on November 5, 2011 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Royals welcomed the Vancouver Giants to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for the first of a two game set on Friday evening. The Royals gave Keith Hamilton the start in net, while the Giants went with Adam Morrison.

Victoria looked to set the tone early after Kevin Sundher caught Brendan Gallagher with a hard body check by the Giants' blue line in the game's opening moments. Just prior to the 10 minute mark Royals' captain Hayden Rintoul intercepted a pass and broke down the right wing. Rintoul took the puck to the net and deked around Morrison, but hit the post to keep the game scoreless. Victoria would open the scoring at 16:51 after Robin Soudek collected his own rebound in the slot and batted it past the left leg of Morrison for his 12th of the year. Sundher and Rintoul collected assists on the play. With less than one minute left in the frame Gallagher centered the puck for Jordan Martinook in the slot, but Hamilton struck his right pad out to make a point blank stop. Victoria led 1-0 after 20 minutes.

Vancouver evened the score at 2:35 of the middle frame after Cain Franson broke in on a breakaway and slid the puck between the legs of Hamilton. The Royals retook the lead a mere 20 seconds later after Brendan Persley notched his first of the season after he snapped a shot past the blocker of Morrison from the left face-off dot. Victoria looked to extend their lead on the power play midway through the period. On the man advantage Brett Cote set up Kade Pilton for a one timer from the left point, but the puck rang off the right post and into the corner. With less than five minutes left and the Giants on a power play, Marek Tvrdon found Gallagher in the left circle. The Vancouver forward released a shot on the open net, but Victoria defenseman Zach Habscheid slid across to block the shot to preserve the Royals' 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission.

Victoria continued to press for a two goal lead when Brandon Magee broke down the left boards two minutes into the final frame. The Royals' forward released a quick shot from the left circle that deflected off the stick of Morrison and landed on top of the net. With 10 minutes left in the game Vancouver dumped the puck into Royals' zone. It took a funny bounce and landed on the stick of Martinook who was alone in front of the net. The Giants' forward quickly shot the puck, but Hamilton readjusted and was able to make a key save to keep his team in front. Victoria would play solid defense down the stretch. Royals 2 Giants 1.

Victoria went 0/7 0.0% on the power play, while Vancouver was 0/4 0.00%. The Giants outshot the Royals 34-26.

The Royals conclude their two game home series with the Vancouver Giants tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. The Royals' next home game is Tuesday, November 8 when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings. The action begins at 7:05 p.m. For further details or to purchase your tickets today, visit the Victoria Royals Ticket Office, www.victoriaroyals.com, or call 250-220-7889.

Check out the Victoria Royals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from November 5, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central