The Victoria Royals began their run on a four-games-in-five-night gauntlet through some tough Western Hockey League cities on Tuesday night with a setback in Moose Jaw, losing 7-4 to the league-leading Warriors in front of 3,376 fans at Mosaic Place.
Justin Almeida led the way offensively with a hat trick and an assist, while Jayden Halbgewachs scored twice and added a helper for the Warriors, who improve to 20-5-0-1. Tanner Jeannet also had a goal and three assists for the hosts, while Brett Howden had an empty-net goal and three helpers.
Jared Legien, with a pair, Matthew Phillips and Jeremy Masella replied for the Royals, who fall to 18-9-1-0. It was Masella鈥檚 first WHL goal and Tarun Fizer collected his first WHL point with an assist on the goal.
Victoria actually led 3-2 early in the second period, but the Royals failed to hang on.
Goaltender Griffen Outhouse made 30 stops, including one on a penalty-shot attempt by Brayden Burke. Brody Willms stopped 18 shots for the Warriors.
Victoria now moves on to Swift Current to face the stubborn Broncos before continuing on to Medicine Hat and Lethbridge.
The Royals, who did get Regan Nagy and Scott Walford back into the lineup, return home Dec. 8 when the Kootenay Ice pay a visit to Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre for the annual teddy bear toss game.
LEAGUE NOTES: Former Royals defenceman Jared Dmytriw was traded from Red Deer to the Vancouver Giants for a third-round draft pick on Tuesday.
Twitter.com/tc_vicsports
