
Royals Host BC Division Rival Blazers for Two Game Set
December 5, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release
Victoria, B.C. - The Victoria Royals will be back at home this week as they host the Kamloops Blazers for a two game midweek set on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Victoria (3-20-3-0) is coming off a pair of close road losses to the Portland Winterhawks and Seattle Thunderbirds over the weekend and are hungry to get back in the win column against the Blazers this week.
Goaltender Nicholas Cristiano - who was acquired in a trade with the Kelowna Rockets last week - has made a great first impression in his first handful of starts for the Royals. The 18-year-old held both the first-place Winterhawks and second-place thunderbirds to just three goals on back-to-back nights over the weekend.
The team also welcomed forward Carter Dereniwsky back to the lineup over the weekend, who had missed several games while battling injury last month. The 18-year-old made an immediate impact upon his return, scoring under three minutes into Saturday's game against Portland to give the Royals an early lead.
Victoria will lean on Cristiano and Dereniwsky once again this week as they host the BC Division-leading Kamloops Blazers (13-5-3-2) at home for the first time this season.
The Blazers boast one of the most talented lineups in the WHL, headlined by reigning player of the year Logan Stankoven, who has tallied 42 points (16 G, 26 A) in 19 games and has yet to go without recording at least one point in every appearance this season.
Goaltender Dylan Ernst has been another large part of Kamloops' success this year, ranking among the top goaltenders in the league with a record of 12-4-1-1 with a 2.20 goals against average and a .927 save percentage across 18 appearances.
Puck-drop for the first game is scheduled for 7:05 pm on Tuesday, Dec.6, with game two beginning at the same time the following night, Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria. Tickets are available at selectyourtickets.com.
Players to watch:
Victoria:
#34 Jake Poole (F) - 24 GP, 23 PTS (13 G, 10 A)
#29 Teague Patton (F) - 26 GP, 16 PTS (5 G, 11 A)
#20 Alex Thacker (F) - 22 GP, 13 PTS (3 G, 10A)
Kamloops:
#19 Caedan Bankier (F) - 22 GP, 30 PTS (18 G, 12 A)
#13 Matthew Seminoff (F) - 22 GP, 23 PTS (10 G, 13 A)
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.
Get Your Ticket Packs Now
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.
Images from this story
![]() Victoria Royals right wing Riley Gannon |
Western Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2022
- Royals Host BC Division Rival Blazers for Two Game Set - Victoria Royals
- Royals Acquire Pair of 4th Round Picks from ICE for Defenceman Wyatt Wilson - Victoria Royals
- ICE Acquire Wilson from Victoria - Winnipeg Ice
- Tigers Deliver Teddy Bears and Smiles to Those in Need - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Teddy Bear Toss Night this Saturday, December 10 - Regina Pats
- Flight Plan: Teddy Bear & Toque Toss Goes this Friday (December 5-11) - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Olen Zellweger Named to Hockey Canada Selection Camp Ahead of '23 Tournament - Everett Silvertips
- Dach to Attend WJC Selection Camp - Kelowna Rockets
- Zack Ostapchuk Invited to Canada's World Junior Selection Camp - Vancouver Giants
- Pats Captain Bedard Named to 2023 WJC Selection Camp - Regina Pats
- Bankier and Stankoven Selected to Canada's National Junior Team Camp - Kamloops Blazers
- Four Thunderbirds Named to WJC Camp - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Lambos Named to Canada's National Junior Team Selection Camp - Winnipeg Ice
- Thirteen WHL Players to Attend National Junior Team Selection Camp - WHL
- December 5 - Canes Chatter - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Winterhawks Weekly: Hawks Pick up Three Points; Teddy Bear Toss on the Horizon - Portland Winterhawks
- Oil Kings Acquire Rights to Conrad Fondrk from Kamloops - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Blazers Add Draft Pick for Prospect - Kamloops Blazers
- Rebels this Week - Red Deer Rebels
- Oil Kings Set to Host 15th Annual Teddy Bear Toss - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Teddy Bear Toss And Family Skate This Weekend - Kelowna Rockets
- WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners - WHL
- Teddy Bear Toss Friday - Winnipeg Ice
- Warriors Fall in Calgary to End Successful Road Trip - Moose Jaw Warriors
- 3 Power-Play Goals Propels Cougars to 6-3 Win in Langley - Prince George Cougars
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.
Other Recent Victoria Royals Stories
- Royals Announce 2025-26 Regular-Season Schedule
- Royals Announce 2025 Island Hockey Fest Pre-Season Games
- Royals Sign Heath Nelson to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
- Royals Name Brayden Beckley Director of Scouting & Hockey Operations
- Victoria Royals Announce 2025-26 Home Opener against Penticton Vees

