SEATTLE 7, VICTORIA 3
Sixteen wasn’t so sweet for the Victoria Royals.
Far from it as the team’s woes continued unabated.
The Royals’ winless streak in the Western Hockey League extended to 16 games. The Seattle Thunderbirds (27-11-5) defeated the Royals 7-3 Saturday night to sweep their two-game set at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
Discipline was again an issue for the Royals, who had to defend six penalties after taking nine the night before in the 6-1 loss to the Thunderbirds. Seattle scored once on the power play Saturday after counting twice on Friday.
“The effort was there, but our execution wasn’t, and there were too many penalties again,” said Royals head coach and GM Dan Price.
“We need more discipline with our sticks.”
Victoria went 0-6 on its own odd-man.
“Our power play needs to be better,” said Price.
The Royals (12-28-5) got a goal and two assists from captain Tarun Fizer. Another 20-year-old, Bailey Peach, one of the few Victoria bright spots on the season, also had a three-point night on a goal and two assists. Defenceman Kalem Parker scored his first WHL career goal.
“Our veteran leaders were excellent and they are not satisfied with one loss, never mind several in a row,” said Price, who has called a rare practice for today, a day after a game.
Fifth-round 2019 Florida Panthers draft pick Henrik Rybinski, the 20-year-old who last fall was invited to Edmonton Oilers prospects camp, scored twice for Seattle.
Lukas Svejkovsky also scored for winners and added an assist. The 20-year-old, a fourth-round NHL draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, now has eight goals and 18 points in 11 games for Seattle to show why the championship-minded Thunderbirds acquired him at the trade deadline from the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for a first-round selection in the 2022 WHL prospects draft, a conditional second-round pick in 2023 and a conditional third-round pick in 2025.
Starter Tyler Palmer Campbell Arnold combined to make 30 saves in goal for Victoria, including a penalty shot, while sa国际传媒 U-17 goaltender Scott Ratzlaff of the Thunderbirds made 25 saves for the victory.
The Royals fell deeper into the abyss by receiving no help Saturday in other games. Those results left the Tri City Americans two points ahead of now 10th and last-place Victoria, in the eighth and final playoff slot in the Western Conference. The Spokane Chiefs moved one point ahead of the Royals in ninth place. The Americans and Chiefs each have a game in hand on Victoria.
The Royals are in Kamloops to meet the Blazers on Wednesday night.
ICE CHIPS: Thunderbirds head coach Matt O’Dette knows the Memorial Centre visitor bench and dressing room well, dating back to his days of taking on the Victoria Salmon Kings as a defenceman with the Fresno Falcons and Stockton Thunder in the pro ECHL.
