VICTORIA 2
KAMLOOPS 1
The Victoria Royals continue to make hay while the sun shines.
The Royals, who play eight of their first 10 games on home ice, defeated the Kamloops Blazers 2-1 on Saturday night at the Sandman Centre, extending their season-starting winning streak to six games.
And after two quick road games in the Interior, the Royals (6-0) now return home for a six-game homestand beginning Saturday night when the Vancouver Giants come to Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre for a pair of games.
In front of 3,335 fans in Kamloops, veteran Dante Hannoun continued his hot streak, beating Blazers rookie goaltender and Victoria product Dylan Garand midway through the third period for what turned out to be the game-winning goal and Hannoun’s seventh point in his past six games.
After a scoreless first period, the Blazers (2-6) opened the scoring when Connor Zary beat Griffen Outhouse just two minutes into the middle period.
But three minutes later, Kaid Oliver struck on a Royals’ power play as the two teams went to the break tied 1-1.
Outhouse made 26 saves for his sixth win of the young season, while Garand turned aside 21 Royals’ shots.
The Royals finished 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Blazers 0-for-4.
LOOSE PUCKS: The Blazers were without Dallas Stars draft pick Jermaine Loewen as the big winger was suspended after a hit-to-the-head penalty on Friday night against Portland. . . . Royals veteran defenceman Ralph Jarratt missed his second straight game with an undisclosed injury.
