It was a triumphant return for Victoria Royals’ captain Gannon Laroque as he made his season debut with two assists in a 4-2 WHL victory over the Rockets before 3,533 fans at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
Laroque, signed to an NHL entry-level contract by the San Jose Sharks, had surgery over the summer. It kept the blue-liner, invited to the Canadian summer selection camp, out as a potential player for the current world junior championship taking place Halifax, not to mention the Royals’ season until Tuesday night.
“It is as much on a personal level as a hockey level that [Laroque] lifts the group. He is a leader in the room,” said Victoria GM and head coach Dan Price.
“He brought veteran experience and strength and physicality to the back end.”
Victoria won for the sixth time in its last 10 games. The Rockets’ losing streak extended to six games. The ninth-place Royals (9-24-4) are five points adrift of the eighth and final playoff position in the Western Conference, which is held by the Rockets (12-19-3).
Laroque drew the first assist as Brayden Schuurman opened scoring at 2:29 of the second period on a two-point night. Andrew Cristall showed why he is ranked for the first round of the 2023 NHL draft by scoring his team-leading 24th goal and league second-leading 60th point of the season to tie it for Kelowna at 8:13. Jake Poole, a steal in being obtained this season from the Rockets, scored exactly a minute later against his former team on his 20th goal. But Kelowna was again back to level at 16:11 through defenceman Elias Carmichael’s shot from the point that found its way through.
Marcus Almquist connected on the power play for the winner at 1:56 of the third period. Poole’s 21st goal, on an assist from Laroque on a two-man power play, concluded scoring late in the third period.
Recently-acquired goaltender Braden Holt turned in another steely performance with 31 saves for Victoria. Talyn Boyko made 26 saves for Kelowna.
The Rockets were missing Gabriel Szturc, who will play for Czechia today in the world junior semifinals in Halifax, and captain Colton Dach, who was injured playing for sa国际传媒 in the world juniors.
