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When the Victoria Royals began play in the Western Hockey League in 2011-12, the Vancouver Giants were expected to be the greatest rival. But while the Royals have managed to build up reasonable rivalries against Portland, Kelowna and even Kamloops, the one with the Giants never really materialized because the Vancouver franchise has been in a low period.

The Royals play the cross-strait rival Giants 10 times annually, the most the Royals annually face any team. Friday night’s 5-4 Victoria win at least provided an interesting installment as the Giants built a 3-0 first-period lead before 5,551 fans at the Pacific Coliseum on goals by David Brumm, Carter Popoff and likely 2016 NHL first-round draft pick Tyler Benson that chased Victoria starter Coleman Vollrath from the nets.

But the Royals rallied with four consecutive goals in the second period by Matthew Phillips, Dante Hannoun, Alex Forsberg and Jack Walker. Chase Lang of the Giants beat Griffen Outhouse at 10:20 of the third period to tie it 4-4.

The winner came from an unexpected source — defensive-blueliner Ryan Gagnon with his second goal of the season at 13:31.

The Giants, last in the Western Conference fell to 5-13-4, Vancouver has lost its last three games and is 1-8-2 over the last 11 games

The Royals (16-7-1) are 8-2-1 in their last 11 games. It was Victoria’s second come-from-behind victory following a 6-3 decision Wednesday at home against the Edmonton Oil Kings with four unanswered goals in the third period.

The Royals dip beneath the border and head to Eastern Washington for a game tonight against the Tri City Americans (8-13-1).

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