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WHL Victoria Royals

Royals Look Strong in Overtime Loss to Blazers

November 7, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria Royals vs. the Kamoops Blazers
Victoria Royals vs. the Kamoops Blazers
(Victoria Royals)

Victoria, B.C. - The Victoria Royals lost a close one to the Kamloops Blazers falling 3-2 in overtime Saturday night.

The Royals came into the first period with a shot right off the face off from Riley Gannon, but the Blazers goaltender Dylan Ernst was there with the save. Kamloops then quickly flipped the script applying pressure in the Royals zone, but Tyler Palmer and the Royals defence fought hard to keep the game scoreless. Captain Tarun Fizer had a near miss 13 minutes into the first which was quickly followed by a penalty to Gannon Laroque for cross checking. While on the penalty kill, Tanner Scott was able to poke the puck away from the Blazers for a one-on-one shot with Ernst to give the Royals the 1-0 lead. Victoria was playing a strong defensive game during the first period taking away several opportunities by Kamloops. With 32 seconds left in the first period, Scott got his second of the night on a quick pass from Caleb Willms to end the first 2-0.

Kamloops came into the second looking to get their first in net and would do so at 18:20 on a wraparound from Quinn Schmiemann. A minute later, the Blazers tied the game on a goal from Tye Spencer. With five minutes left in the second period, Brayden Schuurman took a high sticking penalty which resulted in a four-minute minor and with five seconds left to go, the Royals were robbed of their third goal when it lay on the goal line and was shot out by a Blazer. Victoria immediately went back on back on the penalty kill and would end the second that way with the game still tied at two.

Victoria remained on the power play for the first minute and half in the third period and were able to come out unscathed. The Royals got their first power play of the night and again looked like they had the go ahead goal, but it just missed the back of the net. Victoria was on the power play again minutes later with just under ten minutes to go and the team had several close shots on net, but Ernst was quick to stop any chances. With three minutes left in the third and the score still tied at two, the Royals got another power play opportunity on a high stick by Kamloops' Fraser Minten. Neither team was able to get one between the pipes and so the game went into overtime.

It was a nail bitter finish to the end the game with the two teams trading shots on goal. Kalem Parker took a two-minute penalty with three minutes to go for tripping. With 38 seconds left in the power play, Quinn Schmiemann put one high behind Palmer to end the game 3-2.

Royals captain Tarun Fizer was proud of the way his team played tonight.

"I think we took it to them and didn't stand back tonight," Fizer said. "Next week is a big game for Arnie just having been traded from Spokane so we're going to want to get that win for him. I think if we carry tonight forward to next week, we'll have the momentum going in and get the win."

GM and Head Coach Dan Price echoed Fizer's feelings.

"That was a classic B.C. Division game that went toe to toe in every situation. Just two really good teams going at it," Price said. "That's a tremendous amount of momentum going into the month of November and with Spokane coming in next week. We get time to recover, get some players back and I think we're going to be flying next Friday."

The three stars of the night were Tyler Palmer (VIC), Mats Lindgren (KAM) and Tanner Scott (VIC).

The Royals are back at it next Friday and Saturday to take on their first non-B.C. Division team, the Spokane Chiefs. Friday will be the Royals Superhero Salute, celebrating community heroes who have gone above and beyond to help others in times of need. Then on Saturday, it's time for Puck and Paws, where everything is designed with furry friends in mind.

For tickets to next weekend's games, visit the Victoria Royals ticketing page or call the Select Your Ticket box office at 250-220-7777.

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

Check out the Victoria Royals Statistics




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Victoria Royals vs. the Kamoops Blazers
Victoria Royals vs. the Kamoops Blazers
   



Western Hockey League Stories from November 7, 2021


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