EDMONTON 4 - VICTORIA 3
It was not exactly what one would label a marquee match-up as the teams with the worst winning percentages in the Western Hockey League met Friday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
But 5,067 fans still showed up in the cavernous rink, which is also home to the NHL’s Oilers, to watch the Edmonton Oil Kings (.167) score in overtime to record a 4-3 victory over the Victoria Royals (.250).
Three of a possible 12 points in going 1-4-1 is not what the Royals likely envisioned for their six-game foray through the Eastern Conference Central Division, their first such trip since before the pandemic. Victoria (3-12-3) concluded the roadie by grinding out a point against the Oil Kings (2-12-1), who have gone from winning the WHL championship last season to last this season after heavy graduation.
“I’m proud of the guys. They are completely gassed and out of energy, yet I thought we carried the play in the second half of the game,” said Royals GM and head coach Dan Price.
“This is the most game density and travel these players have seen, even the veterans, who haven’t experienced this in two years because of the pandemic.”
It didn’t help that the Royals’ bus got caught up in a snowstorm during the trip and the team spent Tuesday night stranded in a fast-food restaurant in an area where there were no hotels or motels.
“We’ve been dealing with a lack of sleep and being down to three-quarters of our regular line-up due to injuries,” noted Price.
Rhett Melnyk decided it for the Oil Kings at 3:57 of overtime after Anthony Wilson of the Royals tied the game 3-3 in the third period and Luke Shipley looked to have had the winner for Victoria on a shot that hit the post.
Jake Poole, on the power play with his ninth goal of the season, and Alex Edwards, with his second on the season, scored the other Victoria goals. Reggie Newman had two assists for the Royals. Former Royals forward Carson Golder scored on the power play for one of the Oil Kings’ goals.
Tyler Palmer made 25 saves in goal for Victoria and Kolby Hay 29 for Edmonton.
The Royals return to the Island to face the Portland Winterhawks on Nov. 11-12 at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
“The toughest part of our schedule is over and we will reset,” said Price.
