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WHL Victoria Royals

Royals Impress During 3-2 Win Over Rockets

December 10, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Kelowna, BC - Forward Jake Poole recorded two points on a goal and an assist to lead the Victoria Royals to a 3-2 win over the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on Friday.

The former Rocket has counted five points in four games against his former team this year and has collected three goals and two assists in his past two contests.

Poole leads the Royals with 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists) on the season.

Another former Rocket who impressed in his return to the Orchard City was Royals goaltender Nicholas Cristiano, who made 31 saves on 33 shots in the win. The Langley, BC product has come up big for Victoria this week, allowing just four goals in back-to-back wins over division rivals Kamloops and Kelowna.

Forwards Tanner Scott and Alex Thacker would score the other two goals for Victoria in the win, giving them both points in back-to-back games.

Forward Max Graham and Logan Peskett collected the lone goals for Kelowna on Friday, while starting goaltender Talyn Boyko allowed three goals on 10 shots before being replaced by Jari Kykkanen at the start of the second, who would go on to stop all 20 shots he saw in the loss.

Victoria (5-21-3-0) would use the momentum from Wednesday's win over Kamloops to get off to a hot start on Friday, taking an early 2-0 lead within the first five minutes of the game.

The first goal came off the stick of forward Alex Thacker (4) at the 1:33 mark, with defenceman Justin Kipkie and Jake Poole collecting the assists.

That would be followed by an unassisted marker by forward Tanner Scott (5) at 4:46 of the frame, giving him goals in back-to-back games.

A Jake Poole (16) power play goal, assisted by forward Brayden Schuurman and defenceman Kalem Parker, late in the first period would further the Royals lead to 3-0, where it would stand entering the second.

Kelowna (10-13-2-0) would get one back in the middle frame, with forward Logan Peskett (1) scoring his first career WHL goal at the 14:55 mark, bringing the score to 3-1 going into the third.

The Rockets would then pull within one on a breakaway goal by forward Max Graham (5) at 8:18 of the final frame, setting up some nervous last minutes for the Royals.

Kelowna would generate several chances to tie the game with the net empty in the final seconds, however, some key saves by Cristiano and stout defensive play would seal the 3-2 win for Victoria at the final buzzer.

Looking ahead, the Rockets will hit the road for a matchup against the Vancouver Giants tomorrow night, while the Royals will head north for a contest against the Kamloops Blazers.

Puck drop for that contest is set for 7 pm at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops.

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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Western Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2022


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