VICTORIA 2 PRINCE GEORGE 1
The Victoria Royals’ sleeper bus is among the primo vehicles in the Western Hockey League. Good thing, too, because it got an asphalt-devouring workout the past 2 1/2 weeks. The Royals, who have not played at home since Feb. 12, concluded the most epic road trip in team history at 6-1.
It was taken in two parts — five games over nearly 5,000 kilometres to Saskatchewan and Manitoba followed in quick succession by another 1,600 kilometres to Prince George and back for a two-game set.
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It ended with a 2-1 win Saturday night over the Cougars before an announced crowd of just 1,624 at CN Centre in Prince George.
The victory was achieved on the back of goaltender Patrik Polivka as the Royals, who are ranked No. 9 in the Canadian Hockey League top-10 poll, moved to 45-17-4. A big part of Victoria’s breakout season — by far the best in the eight years of Chilliwack Bruins/Royals franchise history — has been because of its impressive 25-7-1 record on the road. Blanshard Street? Who needs it?
The Cougars (26-34-8) are ninth in the Western Conference and continued spiralling away from the eighth and final playoff berth.
The Czech import Polivka, who also started in Friday’s 5-3 victory in Prince George, was named first star Saturday for his standout 31-save performance.
“Our goaltender stole the game,” said Victoria head coach Dave Lowry.
“We gave up too many quality chances, and at some point, you’re going to get burned.”
But that wasn’t on this night.
“Our goalie bailed us out. And once again we found a way to stick together and win a hockey game,” said Lowry.
The 45th goal of the season by undrafted 20-year-old Todd Fiddler gave Prince George the lead at 8:52 of the first period. Jack Walker tied it at 6:50 of the second period. Axel Blomqvist, the lanky Swedish forward under NHL contract to the Winnipeg Jets, got the winning goal at 12:34 of the middle frame as Victoria moved to 31-0-2 when leading after two periods.
Victoria won the season series against Prince George 7-1. The Royals were 0-4 on the power play but managed to balance the special-teams account by holding the Cougars to 0-3.
The Royals return to the Memorial Centre for games Friday and next Saturday against Kamloops.
