The Kamloops Blazers were shutout 4-0 in Game 1 of a best-of-seven Western Conference series against the Victoria Royals.Goaltender Griffen Outhouse stopped all 28 shots he faced, to take a 1-0 series lead in Round 1 of the WHL Playoffs.

Notes:

Series Opener: In a playoff series where they are the higher seed and possess home ice advantage, the Royals hold a record of 5-2 in Game 1.

royals first round 2
Royals Draw first Blood,Photos by Corey Shaw ISN
Who doesn't Like A Marty Hug !! Photos by Corey Shaw ISN
Who doesn’t Like A Marty Hug !! Photos by Corey Shaw ISN
royals first round
Photos by Corey Shaw ISN

Record Breaker: Tonight’s win marked goaltender Griffen Outhouse’s ninth post-season victory. With the win, Outhouse tied Royals’ alumnus Coleman Vollrath for most postseason victories in franchise history with nine. Outhouse also passed Vollrath with his 21st career WHL postseason appearance to set a new franchise mark.

Shutouts:  With the 4-0 victory over the Kamloops Blazers tonight, it marked the first time since April 2nd, 2015 against the Prince George Cougars that the Royals have shutout their opponent in the playoffs. It also marked the first postseason shutout of Griffen Outhouses’ career.

Griffen Outhouse makes a young fans night.Photos by Corey Shaw ISN
Griffen Outhouse makes a young fans night.Photos by Corey Shaw ISN

Playoff Points: In tonight’s contest, multiple Royals’ skaters recorded their first career WHL playoff point: Sean Gulka (1g-0a), Carson Miller (1g-0a), Logan Doust (0g-1a), Noah Lamb (0g-1a), Tanner Sidaway (0g-1a) and Phillip Schultz (0g-1a). Meanwhile, Dino Kambeitz recorded his first career WHL playoff goal.

A Night of Firsts: Victoria players Sean Gulka, Phillip Schultz, Logan Doust, Ty Yoder, Parker Malchuk and Noah Lamb all played in their first career WHL playoff game tonight.

Starting to get heated ,Photos by Corey Shaw ISN
Starting to get heated ,Photos by Corey Shaw ISN

We’ve Done This Before: Multiple Royals’ took part in their first playoff game with the club in Brandon Cutler, Tanner Sidaway, Carson Miller and Kody McDonald. Cutler (seven games played), Sidaway (six games played), Miller (seven games played), and McDonald (22 games played) all have previous playoff experience with other WHL teams.

Hometown Start: Blazers’ goaltender Dylan Garand made his first career WHL playoff appearance and start. The native of Victoria, BC was drafted by Kamloops in the third round, 58th overall, in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft.

Photos by Corey Shaw ISN
Photos by Corey Shaw ISN

Up Next: The Royals continue their Round 1 match-up against the Kamloops Blazers tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.

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