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WHL Victoria Royals

Royals Win Third Straight with Overtime Victory over Winterhawks

December 5, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria Royals react after a goal vs. the Portland Winterhawks
Victoria Royals react after a goal vs. the Portland Winterhawks
(Victoria Royals)

Victoria, B.C. - The Victoria Royals won their third straight overtime game 5-4 against the Portland Winterhawks on Saturday night.

The Winterhawks forced the majority of play in the first period into the Royals zone keeping Victoria on the defensive. Six minutes in and the Royals were on the penalty kill when James Stefan got the first goal of the night to make it 1-0 Portland. The first period remained in the Winterhawks favour with Campbell Arnold facing a total 15 shots in the first 20 minutes of play.

Portland opened the second period with a goal from Aidan Litke just 50 seconds into the period. A minute later, Riley Gannon went left side on a pass from Gannon Laroque and Igor Zborovskiy to get Victoria their first of the night making it a 2-1 game. While the Winterhawks were on the power play, Tarun Fizer made a cross ice pass to Bailey Peach for the shorthanded and game tying goal with under ten minutes to go.

Three minutes into the third period and Gannon got his second goal of the night unassisted to give the Royals the lead for the first time in the game. Minutes later, the Winterhawks went on the penalty kill for cross checking to give the Royals the power play when Tanner Scott and Kalem Parker connected with Evan Patrician for the tap in to make it 4-2. With under eight to go, Jaydon Dureau shot one high behind Arnold to make it a 4-3 game followed by another goal from Stefan to tie the game at four and send it to overtime.

Victoria was calm under pressure in another exhilarating overtime. Peach came through again for the team getting the overtime goal on a pass from Gannon to end it 5-4. The Royals have now earned a point in their last seven games.

GM and Head Coach Dan Price had nothing but pride for the way his team played tonight and on the road.

"I have tremendous respect and admiration for our players. Some fatigue was setting in and Portland is obviously a very good team who played well tonight and really pushed. Campbell Arnold was outstanding and guys were diving in front of pucks in front of him as well. Again, everyone contributed, and everyone pushed through the obstacles. The players were very calm and eager to respond in overtime after Portland tied it," Price said.

Victoria comes home this week and will face on in Vancouver on Friday before heading home to play the Giants on Saturday.

"When we get back to Victoria, we'll first focus on recovery and then on an important week of preparation for the upcoming home and home with Vancouver."

The three stars of the night were James Stefan (POR), Jaydon Dureau (POR) and Riley Gannon (VIC).

The next Royals home game is December 11th against the Vancouver Giants for the Royals inaugural Lighthouse Island Bowl igniting the rivalry between the two teams on the eve of the CFL Grey Cup. Visit the Victoria Royals ticketing page or call the Select Your Ticket box office at 250-220-7777.

Looking for a gift for the Royals fan in the family? Give the gift of hockey with the Royals holiday ticket package. Buy four vouchers for $70 or six for $100 and receive a special Royals gift. This offer is valid until December 31, 2021.

Check out the Victoria Royals Statistics




Images from this story

Victoria Royals react after a goal vs. the Portland Winterhawks
Victoria Royals react after a goal vs. the Portland Winterhawks
   



Western Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2021


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