Even though their home province is in a slump, their Western Hockey League team certainly isn’t.
Victoria Royals Matthew Phillips and Coleman Vollrath of Calgary, Logan Fisher of Red Deer and Ryan Peckford of Stony Plain hit the Alberta trail with a bit of swagger for games tonight in Calgary against the Hitmen, Saturday in Red Deer against the Rebels and Monday in Edmonton against the Oil Kings.
And why not?
The Royals are ranked No. 6 in this week’s Canadian Hockey League top-10 poll, the highest rating for any WHL team. Victoria is the winningest team in the WHL in the calendar year 2016 at 17-4-3 since Jan. 1 and overall is a league second-best 40-16-6 behind Kelowna (42-16-3). It is only the second time the franchise has reached the 40-win plateau in the 10-season history of the Chilliwack Bruins/Victoria Royals. This squad, with 10 games remaining, is tracking the all-time franchise record of 48 wins set by Dave Lowry’s 2013-14 Royals.
“I am excited for the position we have played ourselves into,” said Royals head coach Lowry.
But his club is still young — built for the long term — so how long this run can last this season is one of the burning questions in the WHL. The games in Alberta will certainly prove instructive. The Hitmen (35-22-4) are undefeated in three games, the Rebels (36-21-3) will host the Memorial Cup this spring, and the Oil Kings (26-28-7) control the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference by a comfortable nine points.
“I can’t wait. We had season tickets for the Hitmen when I was growing up. I am going to have family and friends in the triple digits in the crowd [tonight] in Calgary,” said Phillips.
He could give them a memorable night if he scores, because Phillips’ next goal will break the Victoria Royals/Chilliwack Bruins franchise record for most goals by a rookie. Phillips is currently tied at 32 with former Bruin and current KHL pro Oscar Moller.
Phillips didn’t pick up the puck when he tied the record with a goal Saturday at home against Kamloops. Tying isn’t the same as breaking.
“Maybe I’ll keep the puck if I set the record,” he said.
If he does it tonight in his hometown, it would be a true keepsake.
The five-foot-six speedster candidly admits he has surprised even himself.
“This is not what I expected [in his rookie season],” he admitted.
The same could be said of the Royals’ season as a whole to date.
Royals goaltender Vollrath, meanwhile, makes his final regular-season visit tonight as a WHL player to his hometown Calgary. Royals forward Fisher, a fellow graduating 20-year-old, will do the same Saturday in Red Deer.
“Our family had season tickets for the Rebels,” recalled Fisher.
That kid watching from the stands became a player in the league.
“It has flown by so fast,” said Fisher, whose parents will take in all three games in Alberta.
Fisher’s value to the Royals the past four seasons has been understated but inestimable.
“Flying under the radar has been fine with me,” said the Albertan, who is considering CIS or minor-pro hockey for next season.
“You do what it takes to play in this league.”
You’ll get no argument from his coach.
“Our strength is our team game,” said Lowry. “We rely on everybody.”
The Royals will head back to B.C. for a game next Friday in Vancouver against the Giants. The next home date is the following night on Blanshard against the Giants.
