But then the Victoria Royals’ power play — on two goals by Jack Walker and one each by Vladimir Bobylev, Dante Hannoun and defenceman Scott Walford — became turbo charged for a 6-4 victory over the Vancouver Giants.
Calgary Flames-product Matthew Phillips, much hyped on the Rogers Sportsnet national broadcast in the lead-up, lived up to billing and scored his team-leading 43rd for Victoria's other goal.
The lowly Giants gave the Royals (33-23-5) a spirited challenge early, as goaltender Griffen Outhouse held down the fort, before the Victoria odd-man completely took over the contest.
Thanks to the power plays, Victoria put 47 shots on Vancouver goaltender Ryan Kubic. Outhouse, his shot load easing as the night went on and Victoria took control, faced 27 shots.
Walford, rated on the blueline for the latter rounds of the 2017 draft, had four points. Walker, Hannoun, Bobylev and Phillips had three-point nights. Ty Ronning was the most dangerous-looking of the Giants and had a goal.
The Western Conference last-place Giants are 19-37-5 and traded four veterans last month month in an all-out rebuild and have been without injured high second-round Edmonton Oilers draft pick Tyler Benson for most of the season.
The teams meet again tonight and Sunday at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
The Royals are 6-0-1 against Vancouver this season in their annual 10-game cross-strait derby and swept the Giants in a similar three-games-in-three-days set late last month.
The Royals are without three notable injured players. Anaheim Ducks draft-pick Tyler Soy is listed week to week while forward Ryan Peckford and Los Angeles. Kings-prospect defenceman Chaz Reddekopp are both out five-to-six weeks.
