Royals Win First Ever WHL Game

  The Victoria Royals made history Saturday night in front of 7000 fans, including myself.  The Royals not only won their first ever WHL home game, but they also registered their first ever WHL victory.  It was a wild night at the sold-out Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.  It became apparent during the pre-game skate, when there was already a couple thousand fans, that Victoria is ready to embrace the WHL again. 

  Keith Hamilton got the start in net for the Royals, and Brendan Jensen started for the Giants for the second straight night.  The game was electric from the opening face-off as the Royals wasted no time to make their physical presence known.  The Royals were energize by the crowd as they threw a couple big hits in the opening minutes.  With just over three minutes played, Jamie Crooks skated into the Giants zone and released a quick wrister that went top shelf behind Jensen.  Steven Hodges and Hayden Rintoul got the assists on the first ever Royals' home goal at 3:09 of the first.  The Royals continued the physical play, finishing all their checks.  The physicality led to penalty trouble though, as the Royals were faced with killing off a 5-on-3 midway through the third.  The Giants tied the game on the 5-on-3 as James Henry scored on a goal mouth scramble.  Teal Burns and Neil Manning got the assists on Henry's powerplay marker, scored at the 10:03 mark.  The Royals would answer on a powerplay of their own, as Robin Soudek tipped in a Logan Nelson centering pass.  Kevin Sundher was credited with the second assist on the goal scored at 13:00 of the period. Tim Traber would drop the gloves against the Giants' Kiefer McNaughton.  Traber took a solid shot before landing a half dozen of his own and taking the decision.  The first period ended with the Royals up 2-1, but they were out shot 22-9 in the first.  Hamilton made some unbelievable saves in the first twenty minutes.

   It didn't take Victoria long to increase their lead, as Logan Nelson made a nice move to get onto the slot and fire a shot past Jensen.  Steven Hodges and Kade Pilton got the assists on the goal scored at the 1:47 mark.  Just over two minutes after Nelson's goal, Brandon Magee scored on the powerplay to give the Royals a three goal lead.  Kevin Sundher and Robin Soudek got the assists on the goal scored at 3:52 of the second.  After that goal, Jackson Whistle replaced Brendan Jensen for the Giants.  The adrenaline in the game slowed a bit in the second as the Giants continued to pressure the young Royals squad.  Hamilton was solid as he shut out the Giants in the period.  The Royals left the 2nd period with a 4-1 lead, but were out shot again by a difference of 16-4.

  The third started with the Giants starting their final period push.  They started to hem the Royals into playing defense for longer stretches of time.  Nathan Burns finally beat Hamilton to cut the lead to 4-2.  James Henry and Cain Franson assisted on the goal scored at the 8:48 mark.  The Giants would continue the dominant play and the crowd was rather quiet for a long stretch of the third.  The Giants would make it interesting when Dalton Sward scored to cut the lead to one.  Anthony Ast and James Henry assisted on the goal scored at the 17:57 mark.  The Giants came real close to tie it up, including a shot that trickled through Hamilton, but he was able to reach back and cover the puck.  Kevin Sundher would then catch up to the loose puck and bury the empty net goal to seal the win for the Royals.  Tyler Stahl assisted on the empty net goal which was scored at the 19:46 mark of the third.  The Royals would win the game 5-3.  They were out shot 13-12 in the third.  The Royals were out shot 51-25  overall.

   The sold out crowd went nuts as the Royals players gathered at center ice and saluted the crowd by raising their sticks in the air.

Three Stars
3) James Henry (Vancouver)
2)Kevin Sundher (Victoria)
1)Keith Hamilton (Victoria)


Top Three Players


Keith Hamilton- If it wasn't for Hamilton, the Royals would not have escaped this game with a win.  Don't get me wrong, the Royals played with great emotion and energy, but when you give up 51 shots and win, it's usually because your goalie was stellar.  That's exactly what Hamilton was as he always seemed to come up with the key saves.  His rebound control was good, as was his positioning.  Even when he didn't see the puck it seemed to find his chest or pads as he fought the screens in front of him.  He made a couple desperation saves and easily deserved the first start honors for the game.  It was exciting to watch him in net, and if he keeps playing this way, he will easily be the team's starter going forward.

Kevin Sundher-  After getting repeatedly robbed in the season opener, Sundher finally broke out in this game.  He finished three periods with a goal and two assists, but his impact on the game was more then just his offensive stats.  Sundher could very well be the Royals most complete player.  He fought hard for loose pucks, as well as fighting along the boards and in the corners in his own zone.  His size helps his balance as he has great skating speed.  He had a couple offensive rushes where his speed and nifty hands almost led to a couple goals.  He was always engaged during the game, and was almost always noticeable.


Logan Nelson- Nelson also had a great offensive game, finishing with a goal and an assist.  He continues to impress with his speed and work ethic. He could have easily ended up with a couple more goals with the offensive chances he created.  He surprises opposing players as he goes from a glide to a full rush in seconds.  He was also determined in his own zone, as he made sure to get back and not let his check get out of his sight.  Nelson is slowly becoming a great player for this young Royals team.


   It was a great game for such a historic night.  Congratulations to the Royals players, and the entire organization on their first WHL win.  The Royals' next game is Friday in Prince George.