VICTORIA 5 EVERETT 0
Everett is more than just that place you speed by on I-5 on the way to Seattle. It's also the Washington state community in which Ryan Murray, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2012 NHL draft, plays his junior hockey.
But not even Murray was enough on Friday night as the Victoria Royals (11-10) defeated the Silvertips 5-0 in a WHL game before an announced 4,457 at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
Murray, from Saskatchewan and expected again to be a factor for Canada at the world junior championships in 2013 in Russia, left the game hobbled in the second period as his Silvertips fell to 7-14-2.
It was Victoria's second straight win after six consecutive defeats as the Royals returned to the Memorial Centre for the first time since Oct. 23 and a seven-game road trip that took them 4,648 kilometres over 23 days between home games.
"It felt weird being back at home," said forward Jamie Crooks, whose two goals led the Royals, who are 7-2 at home.
"It seems like we've been gone forever."
Rookie netminder Patrik Polivka, aided by three shots that rang off posts, recorded his first WHL shutout with 20 saves.
"There were not many shots, but I'm happy," said the Czech import.
Moscow-native Alex Gogolev continued a good streak for Russians in the Memorial Centre - following up Thursday's Russian victory over the WHL all-stars in the Subway Super Series - by giving the Royals the opening goal 6: 53 into the game. It was the crafty 20-year-old's ninth of the season.
Then another Royals over-ager struck. Crooks, on a pass from Brandon Magee, scored his eighth goal of the season at 7: 19 of the second period to give Victoria a 2-0 advantage.
Ben Walker, on a two-man power-play, a goal by Brandon Fushimi and Crooks's second of the night finished off the Silvertips.
"It was hard work . . . nothing too fancy," Crooks said.
It was the first victory by the Royals - 0-4 last season against Everett - over the Silvertips since the former Chilliwack Bruins franchise moved to Victoria in 2011-12.
"We got the physical element back in our game," said Royals head coach Dave Lowry.
"To be successful, we have to play with grease in our game."
The first period was highlighted by a heavyweight fight between the Royals' Keegan Kanzig and the Silvertips' Island-product Lucas Grayson of Port Hardy.
The second period featured a series of group scuffles and the third a decisive decision by 16-year-old Royals rookie Ryan Gagnon over Dawson Leedahl of the Silvertips.
ICE CHIPS: Forward Steven Hodges, the lone Royal to play for the WHL against the Russian juniors in Thursday's Super Series game, did not dress Friday on a coach's decision . . .
The Regina Pats (9-12-2) make their first visit to Blanshard Street in 18 years when they take on the Royals tonight.
