The Victoria Royals would love nothing more than to send out 2013 and ring in 2014 with what would be a pair of pivotal wins against Western Conference foes, the Everett Silvertips.
Riding a four-game win streak — with points in their last six — the Royals are looking to separate themselves from the Silvertips in the Western Hockey League standings.
The third-place Royals (25-13-0-2) face the fourth-place Silvertips (23-11-4-0) tonight at 6 p.m. in Everett before both clubs drive back to Victoria for a New Year’s Day matchup at 3 p.m. at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
The Silvertips are two points back, but with two games in hand on Victoria.
“I think this is going to be a very good challenge,” said Royals head coach Dave Lowry. “They’re a good hockey team that we haven’t seen yet this year.
“They’ve been at the top of the standings in the conference and in the league, so for us it will be a good challenge.”
The two have met only in pre-season with Everett taking a 2-1 victory. Both are battling with Seattle and Spokane to remain in the top four in the conference, garnering a home playoff spot.
The Royals are currently two points back of Portland, but the Winterhawks (who Victoria faces three times in the next six games) have three games in hand.
“We want to make sure we take care of our game and make sure our game gets to a better place right now,” Lowry said when asked about positioning within the conference.
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The demanding coach was extremely clear on what he expects from his troops since they returned from the Christmas break.
“I don’t see any reason why we can’t push forward,” he stressed. “My demands are never going to change.
“As a coach, we have expectations to win every night and it’s our job as a staff to make sure we give our guys that opportunity. We’re going to continue that push and that’s our mindset.”
The message is very clear for his troops, who remain without key players Logan Nelson and Joe Hicketts and are also minus rookies Tyler Soy and Chaz Reddekopp, who remain at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Team Pacific.
“With the guys or without the guys, our expectations are always to win as many games as we can,” said Steven Hodges, who tied a franchise record for points in a game with his five points in Friday’s 8-1 win over Prince George, in which he was also plus-5.
“It hasn’t changed since the start of the year and we’re just on a bit of a roll now,” he added. “While we’re on the roll, it’s nice to have the guys back in. It adds depth to our lineup and it makes us able to roll all four lines.”
They’ll need it against the Silvertips, who are led by Joshua Windquist’s 59 points, which leaves him third in WHL scoring.
“Everett’s a good hockey team and we’re going to have to play very well there,” said Royals’ sniper Brandon Magee. “Going into their building, their fans are always loud and we’re going to try and silence them early. That will be one of the keys.”
