Goaltender Braden Holt’s 37-save performance Friday night in Kamloops backstopped the Victoria Royals to their first victory of the Western Hockey League season after four losses.
The Royals beat the Blazers 4-1 in front of 4,021 fans at the Sandman Centre.
Rookie and Norwegian import Casper Evensen Haugen scored his first WHL goal for Victoria. Robin Sapousek, a sophomore import from the Czech Republic, also scored for Victoria. The other goals came from veteran forwards Matthew Hodson and Reggie Newman. Evensen Haughen and Sapousek added an assist each.
Kamloops forward Bryce Minten spoiled Holt’s shut out bid in the third period.
The Royals were playing their first game since trading veterans Kalem Parker and Braden Schuurman to the Moose Jaw Warriors on Thursday.
The Royals are in Kelowna on Monday afternoon to face the Rockets before returning to Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre next Friday to play the Everett Silvertips.
