The Victoria Royals have officially recorded the best season in the eight-year history of the Chilliwack Bruins/Royals franchise.
What’s most telling about the breakthrough is that the Royals (36-16-4) surpassed the old standard of 35 victories in a season, set last year, with 16 games remaining in this season. But Royals head coach Dave Lowry, although pleased with the record, was less enthusiastic about his club’s performance in extending its unbeaten run to eight games with a lackluster 3-1 victory over the Blazers on Friday in Kamloops.
“For 40 minutes, we didn’t deserve to be in the hockey game,” he said.
“It was a carry-over from our last game [in which host Victoria blew a 5-1 lead in losing 7-6 in overtime to Calgary on Wednesday].”
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The season for the Blazers (11-39-5) — mired in an eight-game losing streak and 30 points adrift of the nearest playoff berth — was all but done long ago.
The road is the new reality for the Royals. Friday was the start of a 17-game sprint to the finish that comprises 13 away games, including 10 of the next 11, continuing tonight in Kelowna against the CHL top-ranked Rockets and Monday in Vancouver against the Giants.
“For us, [tonight’s game in Kelowna] is an opportunity,” said Lowry.
“Anytime you play the top team in the country in their building, you’ve got to be ready to go.”
Ryan Rehill gave Kamloops the lead on the power play at 3:45 of the second period. Brandon Magee’s 20th goal of the season, scored with just two seconds remaining in the period, brought Victoria level. Goals scored late in periods tend to be momentum shifters. This one was no different, as rookie Tyler Soy scored short-handed just 1:29 into the third period to give Victoria the lead. Taylor Crunk put it away at 12:51.
Coleman Vollrath made 36 saves in goal for Victoria. Bolton Pouliot made 26 saves for Kamloops.
ICE CHIPS: The Royals were missing Buffalo Sabres prospect Logan Nelson, who was sitting out the second game of a two-game suspension … Victoria goaltender Patrik Polivka, who is day-to-day, was not dressed Friday. The Royals have called-up Michael Herringer from Kerry Park of the Island Junior League to back-up Vollrath.
