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Edmonton Oil Kings too slick for Victoria Royals

With three first-round National Hockey League draft picks in the lineup and another two second-rounders, it should be no surprise that the Edmonton Oil Kings crowned the Victoria Royals 5-0 on Wednesday night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
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Royals forward Logan Nelson is chased by Oil Kings defenceman Ashton Sautner at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

With three first-round National Hockey League draft picks in the lineup and another two second-rounders, it should be no surprise that the Edmonton Oil Kings crowned the Victoria Royals 5-0 on Wednesday night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

Dominant from the opening whistle, the Oil Kings bagged two goals in the first eight minutes on their way to a comfortable and controlling road win before 4,217 fans.

The Oil Kings have now won six of their last seven Western Hockey League games and eight of their last 11 as they get into a fine groove, playing with their full roster for just the third time this season.

“I don’t even know where to begin, really. We came in here and we didn’t have any emotion and we didn’t come ready to work,” said Royals veteran Brandon Magee. “We got embarrassed in our own building and that’s unacceptable.

“Edmonton’s a hard working team from start to finish and for some reason the leadership group, myself included, didn’t get everyone prepared to play and there will be consequences for that.”

Head coach Dave Lowry guaranteed that.

“We’re going to hold our players accountable. We’re not going to let them off the hook and it’s unacceptable,” said the stern bench boss.

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The Royals fell behind 2-0 just 7:58 into the first period thanks to a quick snap shot by Brett Pollock just 4:50 in, followed by a short-handed marker from Edgar Kulda just over three minutes later.

Victoria netminder Patrik Polivka was beat short side from a bad angle by Ben Carroll at 2:44 of the second period and then got the hook, down 3-0 before Coleman Vollrath took over.

It could have been twice as bad after 40 minutes if not for a few errant shots as the high-flying Oil Kings had an easy time of it breaking out of their own zone all night and had several odd-man rushes against the younger Royals.

First-round picks Curtis Lazar (Ottawa Senators, 2013), Henrik Samuelsson (Ulf’s son, Phoenix Coyotes, 2012) and Griffin Reinhart (Paul’s son, New York Islanders, 2012) are all dominant players and are joined by second-round selections, goaltender Tristan Jarry (Pittsburgh Penguins, 2013) and Mitch Moroz (Edmonton Oilers, 2012).

Jarry posted his second straight shutout with just 21 stops after making 37 saves in a 3-0 win in Vancouver the night before. Samuelsson had a goal and two assists in the win and Cole Benson had the other Edmonton goal.

The Oil Kings have another 15 players eligible for selection next summer, including Dysin Mayo of Metchosin, who had a large contingent on hand, who enjoyed every minute of the result. Mayo got into a fracas with Logan Nelson early in the third and was named third star.

The Royals, who have now lost four of five, head to Seattle and Portland on Friday and Saturday.

LOOSE PUCKS: Oil Kings general manager Randy Hansch played goal for the Victoria Cougars from the early to mid-1980s before being traded to Kamloops. “It was neat coming across on the ferry today,” Hansch said. “A lot of good memories.” … Victoria’s Jack Walker was a scratch again as he’s fighting a bug. ... Keegan Kanzig took a solid right hand from Brandon Baddock in the last minute of the second and left the ice extremely woozy and did not return.

mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com