The Victoria Royals haven’t been perfect to start the Western Hockey League season, but good enough.
“I liked getting three out of four points,” said head coach James Patrick, of swapping 5-4 overtime results against the Tri-City Americans in the season openers last weekend at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
The road openers for Victoria are Friday night in Kelowna against the Rockets and Saturday night in Kamloops against the Blazers (both 0-1).
Patrick sees plenty of room to grow for his charges, noting the Americans’ command of the face-off circle, especially in the second game: “They won every face-off.”
The 50 shots in the second game on Victoria goaltender Jayden Kraus, followed by 42 in the first game, were also a concern and something that needs to be tightened up.
“It’s too many shots against … but it started with face-offs,” said Patrick.
Another issue is a disjointed and confused-looking Victoria power play that has started the season with only one goal in 10 opportunities.
“We spend a lot of time on it and have to get better in that area. The power play gave us negative energy,” said James.
“But we didn’t know if we’d have some different personnel back,” he said.
“I’m pleased with a lot of the effort. We had some great shot blocks.”
The Royals had five players away in NHL training camps on opening weekend.
Meanwhile, four of Victoria’s players have returned from NHL training camps this week, which should give a lift to not only the lacking powerplay, but the team’s game as a whole. The only Royals player remaining in an NHL training camp is defenceman Justin Kipkie with Utah HC.
ICE CHIPS: The Royals have announced a change in the club’s radio play-by-play carrier, which will now be Jack 103.1 with former Brock University sports broadcaster Remy Zanotto the new voice of the broadcasts, which will begin Oct. 4 when Victoria plays the Winterhawks in Portland in a reprise of last season’s first-round playoff match-up.
This weekend’s games in Kelowna and Kamoops can be heard on the Royals’ Facebook page and WHL Live.
The Zone 91.3, with veteran WHL broadcaster Marlon Martens calling the action, had been the Royals’ play-by-play home since the franchise came to the Island in 2011-12.
