VICTORIA 3
VANCOUVER 1
Cue again the John Hughes references. Maybe because of the annual capacity crowds that turn out for it, the Victoria Royals have always been Pretty in Pink during their annual fundraiser for breast cancer research.
The Royals moved to 5-1-1 all-time in Pink in the Rink nights with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Giants before 7,006 fans on Saturday at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
Deanna Young, an 11-year breast-cancer survivor and five-season billet mom of Royals captain Ryan Gagnon, dropped the ceremonial opening puck.
“There were some tough times a while back [for his billet family], but these are lessons about never giving up and living life to the fullest,” Gagnon said.
The Royals won to move to 34-23-5, and sit in the first wildcard spot in the Western Conference. They are all but assured of qualifying for the playoffs. The lowly Giants (19-38-5) will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season and fourth time in the past five years. They have been without injured high second-round Edmonton Oilers draft pick Tyler Benson for most of the season.
“No matter where they are in the standings, the Giants always play us tough,” said Jared Dmytriw, who scored twice for Victoria.
Vladimir Bobylev’s give-and-go with Matthew Phillips opened scoring for Victoria at 1:30. Phillips picked up two more assists on goals by Dmytriw that pushed the lead to three. Phillips extended his points streak to five games with four goals and six assists in that stretch.
“Our line was clicking tonight,” Dmytriw said. “[Phillips and Bobylev] are high-skilled NHL prospects and they will find you.”
Ty Ronning hit the post and then assisted on Calvin Spencer's power-play goal to pull the Giants to within one. The first time Ronning skated at the Memorial Centre was as a nine-year-old in 2007 before dad Cliff Ronning played in an NHL oldtimers game.
Griffen Outhouse tied the Royals franchise record for wins by a goaltender with 32, matching Coleman Vollrath’s total from last season.
The teams meet again tonight at the Memorial Centre to close out their three-game set. The Royals are 7-0-1 against Vancouver this season in their annual 10-game cross-strait derby.
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.
ICE CHIPS: Due to concern about mumps, the WHL has advised clubs to sanitize dressing rooms and equipment and to instruct players to review their vaccination histories and avoid direct contact with fans, such as close-in autograph sessions . . . Scott Walford’s four points in Friday’s 6-4 victory over the Giants in Langley tied the Royals franchise record for defencemen. The native of Coquitlam is rated for the latter rounds of the 2017 NHL draft.
