It’s no longer a question of if, but when.
The Victoria Royals (35-16-4) have 17 games remaining in which to break the franchise record of 35 victories in a season, which was set by last year’s club.
“You always expect to be a little better each year, but this season certain things happened, and it broke well for us,” said Royals GM Cam Hope.
But with 13 of those final 17 games away from Victoria, chances are the Royals will establish the record 36th victory on the road. Victoria, riding a seven-game unbeaten streak, has only one home game remaining this month.
The Western Hockey League bus slog begins tonight in Kamloops against the struggling Blazers (11-38-5), continues Saturday in Kelowna against the Canadian Hockey League top-ranked Rockets (43-7-3) and Monday in Vancouver against the Giants (27-19-9).
Victoria, an honourable mention in the CHL national top-10, has a few minor injury issues with key players. With the playoffs now coming into view, the Royals don’t want to take any chances and won’t push for needless early returns.
“We’d rather be safe,” said Hope.
Victoria goaltender Patrik Polivka, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, was not dressed for Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s two-game home set against the Calgary Hitmen. The Royals called up Michael Herringer from the Kerry Park Islanders of the Island Junior League to back up Coleman Vollrath, and Herringer will be making this trip with the team. Yet, there is the chance of seeing Polivka back in uniform soon.
“Patrik is OK but we’re just assessing him for a couple of days,” said Hope.
“He may be able to get back on the weekend.”
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The situation with forward Logan Nelson — who has nine points on five goals and four assists in his previous five games — is more complex. The WHL suspended the Buffalo Sabres prospect for two games because of a charging penalty in Tuesday’s game against Calgary. The Minnesota native wasn’t dressed Wednesday and will also miss tonight’s game in Kamloops.
Complicating matters, Nelson was seen on crutches. Hope, however, said that was just a precautionary measure and that Nelson can go when needed.
“Heading into the final stretch, health is paramount,” stressed Hope, of the precautions being taken on even small dings and tweaks.
“We sat [captain] Jordan Fransoo out on Pink in the Rink Night for just that reason.”
On the other side of the injury coin, defenceman Joe Hicketts’ recent return — after missing 34 games since Oct. 26 because of surgery — has been deemed a success. The offensive blueliner has returned with a flourish, recording a goal and five assists with a plus-five rating in the four games since rejoining the roster to show why he was so highly regarded for the 2014 NHL draft before his injury. The scary thing is Hicketts has yet to reach full game speed and timing as he looks to re-establish his draft status.
“Hicketts has been good since returning — at more than a point-a-game pace with some big hits thrown in — but he’s not at his very best, yet,” noted Hope.
A Hicketts eventually at 100 per cent is bound to give Hope great hope down the stretch.
