At this rate, Dave Lowry’s biggest concern may be managing the good-natured rivalry between the Canadian players and six Americans on his team ahead of the Winter Olympics semifinal in Sochi.
Head coach Lowry’s scorching Victoria Royals (42-16-4) defeated the Brandon Wheat Kings 5-3 Wednesday for their seventh consecutive win and to extend their franchise-record 14-game unbeaten run to 12-0-2. The Royals also stretched their Western Hockey League road winning streak to eight games.
“Our guys are comfortable on the road, because they trust the style that they play,” said Lowry.
Victoria, voted the 10th-ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League top-10 poll for the second week running, has only failed to earn a point three times in the past 30 games and is 24-3-3 since Dec. 12.
The Royals didn’t leave anything to chance against a hobbled Brandon team that dressed only 16 skaters and is now winless in its last seven games.
Victoria got off to a fast start, grabbing a 4-1 lead while outshooting Brandon 21-6 in the first period. The Royals finished the game with a 49-26 shots advantage.
“Our guys did a good job of preparing and were ready to play. They put the pedal right down from the start,” said Lowry.
“We knew we were facing a desperate team that was injured and shorthanded.”
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Florida Panthers-prospect Steven Hodges had a goal and three points and Sabres-prospect Logan Nelson a goal and two points. Austin Carroll added his team-leading 31st with other Victoria goals coming from rookie Tyler Soy and defenceman Keegan Kanzig.
Captain and blue-liner Ryan Pulock, the 15th overall selection in the first round of the 2013 NHL draft by the New York Islanders, and Tyler Coulter each had a goal and assist for the Eastern Conference seventh-place Wheat Kings (28-25-8).
The three stars were Hodges, Victoria defenceman and Manitoba-native Brett Cote, who had a plus-three rating, and Coulter.
Czech import Patrik Polivka made 23 saves. He was making his second consecutive start in goal for Victoria after not playing the nine previous games (he was injured for five of those). The harried Curtis Honey made 44 saves for Brandon.
The Royals are 3-0 on their seven-game road trip, which continues Friday in Regina against the Pats (32-22-6) and Saturday in Saskatoon against the Blades (16-40-5).
