Whatever is the Vancouver Giants’ game plan, the Victoria Royals have clearly had it covered from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen.
The Royals again beat the Giants with a 3-0 Western Hockey League triumph Monday afternoon before 3,430 fans at the Langley Events Centre. Of Victoria’s 14 wins, more than half have come against Vancouver with the Royals leading the season series 8-2.
“It’s an intense rivalry and our guys always get up for these games,” said Royals GM and head coach Dan Price.
Bailey Peach scored his team-leading 28th goal, Riley Gannon his 14th and Caleb Willms his first to give Victoria the victory in the Family Day matinee. All the goals came in the second period. Gannon and Willms had two-point outings as did Swiss U-20 international Keanu Derungs.
Royals goaltender and game first-star selection Tyler Palmer made 35 saves for the shutout. Giants goaltender and Swedish U-20 international Jesper Vikman made 24 saves in taking the loss.
“It was a complete game on our part,” said Price.
“It was team defence. And we transitioned well and used our speed.”
Discipline, an issue during Victoria’s recent franchise-record 17-game winless streak, has improved markedly.
“The guys have taken that message to heart, and for the second time in four games, have not allowed a power-play opportunity for the opposition,” noted Price.
The result moved Victoria into a tie with the Tri-City Americans in the eighth and final playoff slot in the Western Conference. The 10th-place Spokane Chiefs are two points behind. The Americans and Chiefs each have a game in hand on the Royals.
The cross-strait rivalry between the Royals (14-30-5) and Giants (19-25-2) continues Friday back in Langley with the clubs ferrying to the Island for a Saturday night fixture at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
