The numerous postponed games, due to COVID protocols, have pushed the start of the Western Hockey League playoffs back to April 22. That’s a month later than usual. Considering there were no playoffs in 2020 or 2021, most are glad they are happening at all. The WHL regular season is now scheduled to conclude on Sunday, April 17.
The WHL final will take place June 3-14. The Memorial Cup is from June 20-29 in St. John, N.B., and will feature the WHL champions, Ontario Hockey League winners, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champions and the host St. John Sea Dogs. That is the latest the Memorial Cup has been staged. But again, after two cancelled Memorial Cup tournaments, awarded the Cup in summer is better than not awarding it all.
“Due to ongoing challenges related to the pandemic, we have moved forward the schedule for the 2022 Memorial Cup presented with the assurance that it will allow all three of our member leagues to complete their regular season and playoff schedules,” said CHL president Dan MacKenzie, in a statement.
“We are excited to … crown a national champion for the first time in three years.”
The post-season dance, however, could be moot for the Victoria Royals. The Royals (12-29-5) are currently sitting outside a playoff position in 10th place in the Western Conference. The Tri-City Americans hold down the eighth and final playoff slot in the Western Conference, two points ahead of the Royals. The Spokane Chiefs are in ninth place, one point ahead of Victoria. The Americans and Chiefs each have a game in hand on the Royals.
Victoria, in the midst of a 17-game winless streak, has 22 games remaining in the regular season.
Royals GM and head coach Dan Price said there were several positives in the 6-4 loss Wednesday night in Kamloops, won by the CHL No. 6-ranked Blazers with two late goals in the third period to break open a 4-4 game.
“It was a building block,” said Price.
“You put down one building block and then build the next one on it.”
He has 22 tries left to build something out of this season. That task continues for the Royals tonight at the Langley Events Centre against the Vancouver Giants (18-23-2), Saturday night in Everett, Washington, against the CHL No. 4-ranked Silvertips (33-7-6), and Monday afternoon back in Langley against the Giants.
