Like snow in Victoria, it doesn’t happen too often. But obviously, it does happen occasionally. It’s rare even for an elite team to sweep the Western Hockey League player-of-the-week honours, and highly unusual for a team below .500.
But that’s what the Victoria Royals (12-14-4), resurgent after laying last in the league during the opening weeks of the season, have done. Victoria forward Bailey Peach was named WHL player of the week for his eight goals, five assists and 13 points in four games and Royals goaltenders Campbell Arnold and Tyler Palmer were named WHL co-goaltenders of the week in the awards announced Tuesday.
Palmer established a franchise record on Dec. 29 by making 50 saves in a heroic stand and 3-0 shutout victory against the Vancouver Giants. It is the most number of saves made by a Royals goaltender in recording a clean sheet. Arnold, a native of Nanaimo, went 2-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .949 save percentage over the week.
“It is a great partnership, with a healthy competition between the two, and that gives us tremendous goaltending depth,” said Victoria GM and head coach Dan Price.
Without any one of them having to carry the main load.
“We know we are going to have a fresh and energized goalie in the crease each night, even in back-to-back games,” said Price.
Peach, a native of Falmouth, N.S., has been a revelation since coming across the country after four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The 20-year-old is committed for next season to the Acadia Axemen of U Sports in his home province, but is also looking for a pro contract in the AHL, ECHL or Europe. Peach leads the Royals in goals with 20, including a flashy lacrosse-type counter last week, and points with 44, and may yet get that pro deal.
“I believe [Peach] will be a pro player,” said Price.
“That’s because of his work ethic and how he plays overall. He plays a 200-foot game, checks and is on the penalty kill. Bailey is very well-rounded.”
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors and Red Deer Rebels are the latest teams to pause team activities as a result of multiple players and staff being added to the WHL COVID-19 protocol list due to exhibiting symptoms or having tested positive for COVID-19. The three clubs will cease hockey operations through Sunday.
They join the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Swift Current Broncos, who also paused team activities last week under COVID-19 protocols. The WHL also postponed four games in Manitoba this week due to capacity being restricted to 250 for arenas in that province.
“It went from things changing monthly to things changing daily to now things changing hourly,” said Price.
“You have to be flexible, nimble, calm and careful. Safety is front of mind and we’ve been discussing it with our players. It’s out there. It’s a reality. Let’s control everything we can control to stay safe and keep playing.”
The Royals are in Prince George to meet the Cougars on Friday and Saturday nights.
Elsewhere, the QMJHL has suspended play until Jan. 14 and the Ontario Hockey League has postponed numerous games and reduced arena capacity limits to 1,000.
