Royals vs Blazers. Photo by Nathanael Laranjeiras

The Victoria Royals did not have to wait long for their next win as they were able to get by the Kamloops Blazers 5-4 on Saturday night. Before the game started referee Sean Raphael was awarded with a WHL milestone award. Raphael has been an official for 16 years and has worked more than 650 games in the WHL.

There is no sugar coating the rivalry of these two teams after Friday nights game between the Royals and Blazers fans were in for a treat. Royals fans had already built a hatred towards Blazer captain, Zane Franklin, after a few questionable hits from the previous matchup. They booed him whenever he touched the puck and cheered whenever he got hit. The game started with a fight the very first shift of the game as Carson Miller wanted to put Franklin in his seat setting the tone early for Royals, Proving that they weren’t going to let any cheap shots go.

Blazers captain Zane Franklin was the target of the fans array of boo's. Photo by Nathanael Laranjeiras
Blazers captain Zane Franklin was the target of the fans array of boo’s. Photo by Nathanael Laranjeiras

The Royals changed things around this time scoring first as Alex Alex Bolshakok scored his 2nd of the season with assists coming from Carson Golder and Mitchell Prowse. Victoria would pick up the goal lead later in the first period when Kaid Oliver scored his 16th of the season.

Victoria would head into the second with a two-goal lead which would be increased when Carson Miller broke loose on a breakaway getting pushed into the goaltender resulting in a penalty shot for the Royals. Miller made no mistake scoring as he picked up his 11th goal of the season making it a three to nothing lead.

Carson Miller nets the penalty shot to give the Royals a 3-0 lead. Photo by Nathanael Laranjeiras
Carson Miller nets the penalty shot to give the Royals a 3-0 lead. Photo by Nathanael Laranjeiras
The tide would change as the Blazers started to pressure the Royals trying to break the shutout. Kamloops would score only to be waved off after the play was reviewed for goalie interference. The Blazers ended up scoring when the Royals gave the puck away right to Caedan Bankier scoring the first goal for Kamloops and picking up his 6th of the season. Kamloops scored again a minute later when Quinn Schmiemann scored his 4th with assists from Brodi Stuart and Ryan Hughes. They would score again 44 seconds later as Orrin Centazzo picked up his 35th with assists from the Victoria native Sean Strange and Connor Zary.
Adam Evanoff slow to get up after getting  hit after the Blazers goal was called off. Photo by Nathanael Laranjeiras
Adam Evanoff slow to get up after getting hit after the Blazers goal was called off. Photo by Nathanael Laranjeiras

The Royals picked up another two-goal lead in the 3rd when Tarun Fizer scored his 16th with help from Mitch Prowse and Kaid Oliver. Brandon Cutler scored the game-winning goal getting his 13th of the season with an assist from Tarun Fizer and his 3rd of the weekend series. Kamloops would get one last goal Max Martin scored his 11th assisted by Franklin and Zary.

Adam Evanoff picked up the win in back to back games stopping 31 out of 35 shots while Racye Ramsay stopped 34 out of 39. Tarun Fizer got the fist star while Carson Golder got the second and Connor Zary got third.

Montana Onyebuchi watches for open teammates. Photo by Nathanael Laranjeiras
Montana Onyebuchi watches for open teammates. Photo by Nathanael Laranjeiras