Defenceman Travis Brown, traded last month to the Victoria Royals after three seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors, had a memorable homecoming with two assists and was named the first star as the visiting Royals defeated the Warriors 4-3 in a Western Hockey League shootout Monday afternoon before 3,677 fans at Mosaic Place.
There is no greater emotional moment on the road in sports than when you return to play your former team. The odd feeling starts upon walking into the visitors’ dressing room of a building you know well from the other side.
“It was weird being in the visitors dressing room,” acknowledged Brown, following the game.
“I have lots of memories of this [arena and city] and they all came back to me. I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for the Moose Jaw organization. But it [return to the Jaw] was all good. It was a well-fought battle and I’m glad we got the two points.”
Victoria (41-16-4) is the 10th-ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League top-10 poll and pushed its franchise-record 13-game unbeaten run to 11-0-2. The Royals are 23-3-3 since Dec. 12. It was Victoria’s 21st road victory, which is also a franchise record.
“There’s a calm feeling in our room, even if we’re down,” said Brown, a fifth-round Chicago Blackhawks draft pick.
“We have a veteran group and we all have faith in each other. We know success will come if we stay consistent and stick to our game plan.”
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The Warriors (15-34-9) are going nowhere this season, so they decided to look to the future. They unload the 19-year-old Brown to the Royals, who are priming for a playoff run this spring, in exchange for two third-round selections in the bantam draft and the rights to 15-year-old forward Noah Gregor.
An offensive-minded blue-liner with a long reach, the veteran Brown has made an impact with Victoria. He is tied for second with Winnipeg Jets-signed forward Axel Blomqvist — a Royals trade acquisition this season from Lethbridge — in team scoring. Brown and Blomqvist have 50 points each, three behind Royals leader Brandon Magee.
Meanwhile, goals by Logan Nelson and Jack Walker gave Victoria the victory in the shootout Monday. Royals goalkeeper Patrik Polivka — making his first start in nine games since Jan. 31 (he was injured for five of those) — stopped Brayden Point and Torrin White of Moose Jaw in the shootout to close out his 31-save victory. Zach Sawchenko made 32 saves for the Warriors.
Joe Hicketts, like Brown another explosive Royals blue-liner, had a goal and an assist. Austin Carroll scored his team-leading 30th goal and Blomqvist his 21st. Jesse Forsberg had a goal and assist for the Warriors.
Victoria continues its seven-game road trip on Wednesday night in Brandon against the Wheat Kings (28-24-8).
