VICTORIA 4
KOOTENAY 1
There is nothing that playing the bottom-dwelling Kootenay Ice can’t cure.
The Victoria Royals snapped a three-game winless run with a 4-1 victory over the Ice, which is battling the Prince Albert Raiders in the wooden-spoon derby for last place in the Western Hockey League. For those keeping count, the Ice fell one point behind the Raiders.
Not only hurting on the ice, the Ice (13-36-10) are also ailing in the stands, a storyline that has made league-wide headlines. The crowd at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook on Saturday night was listed at 2,424.
Regan Nagy, with his third goal in as many nights, got Victoria (32-23-5) on the board with a power-play goal at 3:58 of the first period. Jake Elmer tied it at 11:46. Toronto Maple Leafs draft-pick Jack Walker, with his 25th goal of the season, restored the lead for Victoria in the second period. Matthew Phillips, with his team-leading 42nd goal, gave the Royals the cushion in the third period and Carter Folk finished it off into an empty net.
“We need everyone in order to win, and that's what we got tonight,” said Victoria coach Dave Lowry.
Royals blueliner Scott Walford had two assists and was plus-three on the night to be named first star.
“[Walford] just comes to work and goes about his business,” said Lowry.
“He came on when we needed him late last season, as well.”
Rookie Dylan Myskiw made 26 saves for the Royals for his second career WHL victory to earn third star. Payton Lee, the former Vancouver Giants creaseman, made 34 saves for the Ice to be named second star.
The Royals are playing under a load of injuries. Defenceman Chaz Reddekopp, a draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings, has a broken foot and is out for the rest of the regular season. Anaheim Ducks draft pick Tyler Soy is out week to week and fellow-forward Ryan Peckford, the 87th-ranked skater for the 2017 NHL draft, is gone six to seven weeks.
Royals forward Jared Dmytriw, meanwhile, sat out the third and final game of his WHL suspension.
“I liked our resiliency tonight and we did a lot of good things,” said Lowry.
“The young guys elevated their games.”
The Royals have a three-in-three set against the Giants beginning Friday in Langley, followed by two back-to-back Saturday and Sunday at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
