Unless you鈥檙e the Victoria Royals in Kelowna.
The host Rockets won their 22nd consecutive home game, tied for third-best all-time in the Western Hockey League, by defeating the Royals 6-1 Thursday evening.
Three of the Rockets victories at Prospera Place during their streak have come against Victoria.
But it wasn鈥檛 as if the Royals 鈥� 7-0-1 in their previous eight outings 鈥� were exactly coming in timid this time. Yet they could not match whatever mojo it is that Kelowna has going at the moment as Victoria (27-18-4) lost in regulation time for the first time since Jan. 11.
鈥淭hey [Rockets] executed really well and we had no answer,鈥� said Royals head coach Dave Lowry.
The Rockets, 38-10-4 and ranked No. 4 in sa国际传媒 among major-junior teams, are undefeated in regulation time in their last 17 games overall at 15-0-2.
鈥淚f we were the only team this has happened to here [Prospera Place], then I would be concerned,鈥� said Lowry.
鈥淏ut [the Rockets] have been doing this for a while now to a lot of teams.鈥�
With defeat also came to an end three Victoria consecutive points-scoring streaks 鈥� Alex Gogolev鈥檚 and Brandon Magee鈥檚 both halted at nine games and Steven Hodges鈥� at eight games.
Goals by Tyson Baillie, Zach Franko one of two for Kelowna in the game on the power play, and Tyrell Goulbourne gave the Rockets a 3-0 lead in the first period before 5,331 fans.
Kelowna really began piling on in the second period with a 6-1 lead with Victoria鈥檚 only response being Jamie Crooks鈥� 23rd goal of the season.
鈥淭hey [Rockets] were hitting on all cylinders tonight,鈥� said Lowry.
鈥淏ut that鈥檚 what happens when you play one of the best teams in the country.鈥�
The third period was scoreless.
Baillie finished the night with two goals.
Patrik Polivka made 28 saves in goal for Victoria. Jordon Cooke of Kelowna blocked 28 shots to go to 21-0-1 in his last 22 starts.
The Royals now head to Prince George, where they will face the fading Cougars (15-30-6) tonight and Saturday.
ICE CHIPS: Trent Lofthouse returned to the Royals lineup, leaving fellow Royals forwards Logan Nelson and Luke Harrison on the injury list . . . Blueliner and Royals captain Tyler Stahl last night sat out the third game of an eight-game suspension for a hit to the head.
