The Victoria Royals lost 5-2 to the Winnipeg ICE Saturday night at the Wayne Fleming Arena.
First Game in Winnipeg: Tonight’s game marked time the Royals have played in Winnipeg. The ICE relocated from Cranbrook to Winnipeg this past summer. Prior to tonight, Victoria had won the last six games versus the ICE with the last defeat occurring on February 13, 2013.
WHL Debut: Royals’ forward Trentyn Crane played in his first career WHL game tonight. The Morden, MB native was recently recalled from the OCN Blizzard of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). Crane was selected in the fifth round, 103rd overall, in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft.
Opening Goal: For the 22nd time this season the Royals scored the opening goal of the game. Victoria is 16-3-3-0 when scoring game’s first goal. With tonight’s goal, Royals’ forward Gary Haden now leads the team in first goals with four.
100th Game: Royals’ forward Graeme Bryks played in his 100th WHL game tonight. Bryks’ WHL career has been split between Victoria and the Seattle Thunderbirds. To this point in his career, Bryks has recorded 15 points (5g-10a). He was acquired from Seattle prior to this season and has played 42 games with the club.
Top Prospects: Victoria forward Brayden Tracey and Winnipeg centre Peyton Krebs were both drafted in the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Tracey was selected 29th overall by the Anaheim Ducks, while Krebs was taken with the 17th overall pick by the Vegas Golden Knights. Both players have been signed to three-year entry level contracts by their respective teams.
Streaking: A pair of Royals’ forwards are currently riding three-game point streaks. Brayden Tracey recorded an assist in tonight’s match-up and now has a goal and two assists in his last three games. Gary Haden’s goal marked his third in his last three contests.
Up Next: Victoria continues their six-game road trip on Tuesday, January 28th against the Saskatoon Blades. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PST.
Back at the Barn: The Royals return home on Friday, February 7th and Saturday, February 8th for a two-game set against the BC Division leading Kamloops Blazers. Friday’s contest is Eco Night. Puck drop for both games is at 7:05 p.m.
