The Royals played their first WHL game tonight against the Vancouver Giants. It was a game that showed signs of a rivalry in the making.
The first period started with Braden Gamble in net for the Royals, and Brendan Jensen starting for the Giants. The Giants applied the pressure throughout the first period, resulting in the Royals taking a few too many penalties. Victoria took four minor penalties in the first ten minutes, but were able to kill them off. It wasn't till late in the first period, when Anthony Ast scored, that the Giants finally capitalized on their constant pressure. Ast's goal was assisted by Cain Franson and Nathan Burns. The goal was scored at the 18:22 mark of the first period. The period ended with the Giants up 1-0. Gamble was forced to make some tough saves, as the Royals were out shot 11-4 in the first.
The Royals bounced back in the second period with a better overall effort. Kevin Sundher had a couple opportunities in the second to give the Royals their first ever goal, but Jensen was there to answer each chance. It looked like the Giants had taken a two goal lead, but it was waved off as there was a Giants' player in the Victoria crease. Shortly after that, the Giants took a two goal lead on a scoring play by Marek Tvrdon. Assists to Tvrdon's goal were credited to Kiefer McNaughton and James Henry. The goal was scored at the 12:06 mark of the second. During the face-off right after that goal, Jesse Zgraggen dropped the gloves with Jordin Martinook. Zgraggen was able to pull Jordin's sweater over his head and land a couple solid punches. The decision went to Zgraggen. Good idea by Jesse to try and spark his hockey club. The Royals came close to potting a goal, but Jensen continued to stop all the shots thrown at him. Then, at the 18:11 mark of the second, Cain Franson gave the Giants a 3-0 lead on a goal assisted by David Musil and Brendan Jensen. The Giants went to the intermission up 3-0. The shots were close as the Royals were only out shot 14-10.
Just over a minute into the third period, Steven Hodges scored the Royals' first ever WHL goal. Austin Carroll and Jamie Crooks got the assists on Hodges' goal. The goal came at the 1:35 mark of the third period. The Royals continued the pressure during a powerplay and Kevin Sundher continued to create great scoring chances. Jensen continued to stand tall in goal for the Giants. The Royals looked to capitalize on the powerplay, but a giveaway resulted in a shorthanded Jordin Martinook goal. The goal came at the 9:35 mark of the third. The teams would trade opportunities, but both goalies would shut the door. Robin Soudek would pull the Royals within two at the 15:30 mark. Brandon Magee got the lone assist on the goal. The Royals would pull the goalie late, but Dalton Sward scored into the empty net for the Giants. Nathan Burns got credited with the only assist. Late in the third period, Kade Pilton dropped the gloves with Kiefer McNaughton. Pilton would throw and land a series punches, earning the decision. The Royals would not be able to overcome the deficit as the Giants would win 5-2. The Royals were out shot 33-28 in the game.
Gamble had a decent game in net and can't be blamed for all the goals. It was a poor start for the Royals, but they finished the game strong and started to show how tough they can be. The Royals are back in action tomorrow night in their first ever sold-out game at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
The first period started with Braden Gamble in net for the Royals, and Brendan Jensen starting for the Giants. The Giants applied the pressure throughout the first period, resulting in the Royals taking a few too many penalties. Victoria took four minor penalties in the first ten minutes, but were able to kill them off. It wasn't till late in the first period, when Anthony Ast scored, that the Giants finally capitalized on their constant pressure. Ast's goal was assisted by Cain Franson and Nathan Burns. The goal was scored at the 18:22 mark of the first period. The period ended with the Giants up 1-0. Gamble was forced to make some tough saves, as the Royals were out shot 11-4 in the first.
The Royals bounced back in the second period with a better overall effort. Kevin Sundher had a couple opportunities in the second to give the Royals their first ever goal, but Jensen was there to answer each chance. It looked like the Giants had taken a two goal lead, but it was waved off as there was a Giants' player in the Victoria crease. Shortly after that, the Giants took a two goal lead on a scoring play by Marek Tvrdon. Assists to Tvrdon's goal were credited to Kiefer McNaughton and James Henry. The goal was scored at the 12:06 mark of the second. During the face-off right after that goal, Jesse Zgraggen dropped the gloves with Jordin Martinook. Zgraggen was able to pull Jordin's sweater over his head and land a couple solid punches. The decision went to Zgraggen. Good idea by Jesse to try and spark his hockey club. The Royals came close to potting a goal, but Jensen continued to stop all the shots thrown at him. Then, at the 18:11 mark of the second, Cain Franson gave the Giants a 3-0 lead on a goal assisted by David Musil and Brendan Jensen. The Giants went to the intermission up 3-0. The shots were close as the Royals were only out shot 14-10.
Just over a minute into the third period, Steven Hodges scored the Royals' first ever WHL goal. Austin Carroll and Jamie Crooks got the assists on Hodges' goal. The goal came at the 1:35 mark of the third period. The Royals continued the pressure during a powerplay and Kevin Sundher continued to create great scoring chances. Jensen continued to stand tall in goal for the Giants. The Royals looked to capitalize on the powerplay, but a giveaway resulted in a shorthanded Jordin Martinook goal. The goal came at the 9:35 mark of the third. The teams would trade opportunities, but both goalies would shut the door. Robin Soudek would pull the Royals within two at the 15:30 mark. Brandon Magee got the lone assist on the goal. The Royals would pull the goalie late, but Dalton Sward scored into the empty net for the Giants. Nathan Burns got credited with the only assist. Late in the third period, Kade Pilton dropped the gloves with Kiefer McNaughton. Pilton would throw and land a series punches, earning the decision. The Royals would not be able to overcome the deficit as the Giants would win 5-2. The Royals were out shot 33-28 in the game.
Gamble had a decent game in net and can't be blamed for all the goals. It was a poor start for the Royals, but they finished the game strong and started to show how tough they can be. The Royals are back in action tomorrow night in their first ever sold-out game at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
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