KELOWNA 5 - VICTORIA 4 (OT)
The Victoria Royals can certainly get used to playing the Kelowna Rockets.
All three of Victoria’s points on the Western Hockey League season have come against the Rockets, the latest being the singleton gained in the 5-4 Kelowna overtime victory Saturday night at Prospera Place in the Okanagan.
The Royals’ nine-game losing streak became a 10-game winless streak.
At least it’s something as the Royals assured they will not match the franchise losing-streak record of 11 games, first set when the team was in Chilliwack and known as the Bruins in 2006-07 and matched by the 2012-13 Royals.
Jake Poole scored the winner for Kelowna (3-3) in the last minute of overtime after Victoria missed on a breakaway opportunity.
The Royals fell to 1-10-1. In such a ragged season to date, this felt like some sort of victory.
“It feels almost like a win,” said Victoria GM and head coach Dan Price.
“Even though it’s tough to lose in overtime, the emotional investment was there.
“It makes me positive and confident about what we can look forward to when healthy,” added Price about Victoria’s horrendous string of injuries that have left the squad short-manned most nights.
Riley Gannon scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season for Victoria.
Pavel Novak, a Czech Republic import and fifth round selection of the Minnesota Wild in the 2020 NHL draft, replied with three goals for Kelowna. Tanner Scott and Jason Spizawka scored the Royals other goals.
Tyler Palmer made 37 saves in goal for Victoria and Colby Knight 20 for Kelowna.
“It’s only one game, but this really feels like a turning point for this team,” said Price.
The Royals return to the Island to host the Canadian Hockey League top-10 ranked Kamloops Blazers next Friday and Saturday at the Memorial Centre.
