VANCOUVER 3
VICTORIA 2
The Victoria Royals waived Taylor Crunk in July.
But don’t expect him to just wave at the Royals when they skate by this season. Picked up by the WHL rival Vancouver Giants, Crunk accumulated a roughing minor, fighting major and game misconduct in his first meeting against his old club on Saturday as the Giants defeated the Royals 3-2 in a pre-season game in Ladner.
Rookie six-foot-four Royals winger Tyler Thompson from Minnesota was the player who fought the six-foot-one, 220-pound Crunk, the 20-year-old winger from San Jacinto, California, who played four seasons in Victoria, with 21 goals, 41 points and 271 penalty minutes in 241 regular-season games.
With the Giants and Royals scheduled to meet 10 times this regular season, the Crunk rivalry against his former team may turn out to be one of the storylines of the year.
“We know what kind of game Taylor Crunk plays and he was a very effective player for us. And he is going to play the same kind of game for Vancouver that he played for us,” said Victoria GM Cam Hope.
Newcomer Zach Russell and veteran Logan Fisher scored for the Royals.
“We generated chances, but didn’t capitalize on several of them,” said Royals coach Dave Lowry.
In the Victoria crease, Griffen Outhouse allowed two goals on 13 shots and Dylan Myskiw one goal on 19 shots.
“Both our goalies were very good,” said Hope.
Crunk was charged in March with assault causing bodily harm after an alleged incident at a New Year’s Eve party in Saanich. According to B.C. Court Services, the court date for Crunk is set for Sept. 21 in Victoria.
The Royals (1-3), who have five players away at NHL rookie camps, and the Giants (2-0) meet again today in an exhibition matinée at 2 p.m. at Save-on Foods Memorial Centre.
cdheensaw@timescolonist.com
