The Victoria Royals’ methodical march through the B.C. Division continued unabated Friday night with a 2-1 WHL victory over the Rockets in Kelowna.
Victoria has knocked off division rivals Prince George, Kamloops, Vancouver and Kelowna in a four-game winning streak.
The second-place Royals moved three points ahead of the Rockets in the division table with a game in hand. Kelowna was missing leading-scorer Nolan Foote, who is with Team Canada at the 2020 world junior tournament in the Czech Republic, but continues to look uncertain and troubled on several fronts as it prepares to host the Memorial Cup in May.
Veteran forward Kade Oliver opened scoring for Victoria at 13:23 of the first period. He would be heard from again.
Kaedan Korczak levelled for Kelowna at 8:17 of the second period to snap the shutout streak of Victoria goaltender Shane Farkas, who had blanked Vancouver 1-0 in the previous game on New Year’s Day. Farkas was again outstanding in a 32-save performance as the 20-year-old has staked his claim as the early leader for the Royals’ team MVP award.
Oliver scored his second goal of the night, and 10th of the season, by deflecting home a Gary Haden shot at 14:21 of the third period on the power play. The goal went to video review before being upheld. Also drawing an assist was Tarun Fizer, who extended his points streak to five games, with two goals and eight points in that span.
Victoria continues with the B.C. theme tonight in Kamloops against the division-leading Blazers before returning to Kelowna on Wednesday.
The Royals return to Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre next Friday and Saturday against the Portland Winterhawks, ranked No. 3 in the CHL top-10 poll.
