The Victoria Royals scored three goals in the second period en route to a 4-1 victory over the Kamloops Blazers to take the first round series 4-2. The Royals will meet the Vancouver Giants in Round 2.
Series Recap: The Royals outscored Kamloops by a score of 23-16 over the course of the six-game series. Victoria posted a 23.1%=6/26 powerplay, compared to the Blazers’ 23.5%=4/17. Royals’ forward Phillip Schultz led the series in points with nine (2g-7a) in six games. Meanwhile, Jermaine Loewen led the Blazers in scoring, recording three goals and three assists in six games.
Seizing the day: Tonight’s contest marked the second time in team history that the Royals have played in a Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead. The club has now won both contests and have outscored their opponents 10-3.
Record Setter: With tonight’s matchup, Royals’ defenceman Ralph Jarratt moved into first place for the most playoff games played by a defenceman in franchise history with 43. The leader for all-time Victoria playoff games is Tyler Soy who played in 45 postseason contests.
Multi Goal Games: This series, the Royals have had a player score multiple goals in five games. Dino Kambeitz scored a pair in Games 1 and 4; Kody McDonald scored twice in Game 2; Phillip Schultz netted a pair in Game 5; and Brandon Cutler tallied two goals in tonight’s Game 6.
The early bird: This series, the team that scored the opening goal of each contest won every game.
Royal Return: Royals’ defenceman Matthew Smith made his return to the lineup tonight. Smith has been out of the lineup since Game 3.
Up Next: Victoria will begin their second round against the Vancouver Giants in Langley for Game 1 on Friday and Game 2 on Saturday.
Back at the Barn: The Royals will come home for Game 3 against the Vancouver Giants on Tuesday, April 9, and Game 4 on Thursday, April 11. Puck drop for both games is at 7:05 p.m.
Game 1 – Friday, April 5th – Langley Events Centre – 7:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Saturday, April 6th – Langley Events Centre – 7:00 p.m.
Game 3 – Tuesday, April 9th – Save On Foods Memorial Centre – 7:05 p.m.
Game 4 – Thursday, April 11th – Save On Foods Memorial Centre – 7:05 p.m.
Game 5 – Saturday, April 13th – Langley Events Centre – 7:00 p.m. (If necessary)
Game 6 – Monday, April 15th – Save On Foods Memorial Centre – 7:05 p.m. (If necessary)
Game 7 – Saturday, April 17th – Langley Events Centre – 7:00 p.m. (If necessary)
