WHL Victoria Royals

Royals Settle for Split with Giants

Published on November 6, 2011 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Royals looked for a weekend sweep of the Vancouver Giants Saturday at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria. Keith Hamilton got the start in goal for the Royals against Adam Morrison for the Giants, a night after the Royals opened the weekend with a 2-1 victory Friday.

The first goal of the game came off the skates of Royals' leading scorer Kevin Sundher at 17:03. With Morrison out of the net, Giants' defenceman Brett Kulak tried to clear the puck from the right side of the Giants' goal and his shot went off Sundher's skates and into the open Giants' cage. Sundher's 12th goal of the season came on the power play and put the Royals in front 1-0. The Giants came back as Brendan Gallagher scored 16 seconds later to tie the game 1-1. The two teams remained tied after 20 minutes with the shots 7-6 in favour of Victoria.

Sundher and Gallagher exchanged goals again early in the second period. After Gallagher had put the Giants ahead 2-1 at 2:54, Sundher responded at 3:44 when he beat Morrison from the left wing side for his 13th goal of the season for a 2-2 tie. Brandon Magee and Robin Soudek collected the assists. The Royals reclaimed the lead at 13:31 when Soudek tipped home a pass from the left wing corner by Magee to give Victoria a 3-2 lead. Jamie Crooks also picked up an assist on Soudek's 13th goal of the year. The score stayed that way after 40 minutes. Both clubs had 13 shots in the period.

The Giants tied the game at three when Mark Tvrdon beat Hamilton on the glove side at 9:01 of the third period. Both teams exchanged chances and it would be the Giants who would take a 4-3 lead on a goal by Austin Vetterl at 13:10. The Royals nearly tied the game when Sundher burst into the Giants' zone and broke in with Soudek on a partial 2-on-0 rush, but they could not capitalize on the play. Vancouver would take a two goal lead when Cain Franson scored at 15:29 to make it 5-3. The Royals pulled Hamilton with over two minutes to play, but could not cut into the deficit. Giants 5 Royals 3.

The Royals' next home game is Tuesday, November 8 when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings. The action begins at 7:05 p.m. The Royals then welcome the Red Deer Rebels to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for back-to-back contests on Saturday November 12 and Sunday November 13. Puck drop on Saturday is set for 7:05 p.m, while the action begins at 5:05 p.m. on Sunday. For further details or to purchase your tickets today, visit the Victoria Royals Ticket Office, www.victoriaroyals.com, or call 250-220-7889.

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 6, 2011


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