Languishing last in the Western Conference, the Vancouver Giants haven鈥檛 had many teams鈥� number this season in the Western Hockey League.
But they have had Victoria鈥檚.
The Giants (18-25-5) lead the 10-game season series 3-2 heading into a two-game set against the Royals tonight and Sunday afternoon at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Which is counterintuitive since the Royals sport the third-best record in the conference at 27-15-5. It鈥檚 just one of those quirks that make up a season.
鈥淭hey seem to play their best against us . . . we鈥檝e not had as much success against them as we鈥檇 like,鈥� said Victoria forward Tyler Soy.
Which is why there are warning signs this could be shaping up as a potential trap weekend for the Royals.
鈥淭here is parity in our conference and we have to be prepared to play. Look at our [record] against them [Giants],鈥� warned Victoria head coach Dave Lowry.
The Giants, however, are at the bottom end of that parity scale. Despite Friday night鈥檚 win over Medicine Hat, the Giants are six points adrift of the final Western Conference wildcard playoff slot currently held by Spokane, and have played three more games than the Chiefs, who beat Kootenay on Friday.
Making matters worse, Vancouver has been without its captain and likely 2016 first-round NHL draft pick Tyler Benson since Dec. 30 with a lower-body injury that is listed as week-to-week. There are hopes Benson will be ready for the Giants-hosted Top Prospects game on Thursday, where he is due to captain Team Cherry at the Pacific Coliseum.
Benson is among six Vancouver players out with injuries. That list includes four-season, 20-year-old veteran centre Carter Popoff. Regardless of who is or is not in the lineup, the Giants need to start putting up results to stay within shouting distance in the playoff race.
鈥淭hey will be desperately trying to win,鈥� said Soy.
It鈥檚 getting to that point, with the stretch drive looming.
The Giants will have to figure out a Royals team that is getting good production from the top to bottom of the lineup. Chief among equals has been Soy. He has nine goals and 16 points in the last 11 games as his line, which includes Vladimir Bobylev and Jack Walker, is on a roll.
鈥淥ur line is really connecting,鈥� said Soy.
鈥淲e鈥檙e playing with confidence. When you play with confidence, good things happen.鈥�
On the back end, sophomore Ralph Jarratt is quietly rounding into a solid blue-liner the Royals can ride for several seasons to come. The six-foot-two native of Fort St. John has wisely concentrated on the defensive side of things. But his third goal and eighth point of the season Wednesday in the 8-2 victory over Medicine Hat was a reminder that his offence is evolving, too.
鈥淲e play a team game where everyone can produce,鈥� said Jarratt, who is plus-3 on the season.
鈥淚鈥檓 hearing it from people that I should use my shot more.鈥�
Jarratt wasn鈥檛 ranked by Central Scouting for the 2016 NHL draft, but he realizes dreams aren鈥檛 made or dashed at 18.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 worry about that [draft]. I come every game and practice to work hard and play and be consistent,鈥� he said.
鈥淚f it [getting drafted] happens, I鈥檒l be happy and honoured. If not, I have to work that much harder.鈥�
