Preview | Feb. 16 | Rockets @ Royals
Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals continue their three-game home stand with the first of two consecutive games against the Kelowna Rockets. Puck drop is set for 7:05 PM on Friday evening at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
ROSTER UPDATE
16-year-old forward Grant Reid was returned to the Yale Hockey Academy U18 prep team of the CSSHL. Drafted in the third round (Pick #47) of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, Reid appeared in the team’s past two games in Prince George against the Cougars and at home against the Vancouver Giants. The 5’9” forward has 11 goals and 24 points in 25 games this year for Yale Hockey Academy.
ROYALS LAST GAME
A Valentine’s Day clash between the Victoria Royals and the visiting Vancouver Giants at Save-on-Foods Memorial center was the Royals last game. Brett Mirwald started in goal for the Giants while the Royals started Jayden Kraus. It took just under two minutes for the game’s first goal as Cameron Schmidt’s power play marker put the Giants up 1-0. In the second period, the Royals would score a power play goal of their own as Casper Evensen Haugen finished off a pretty passing play for his 11th goal of the year. Late in the second, Kyren Gronick would beat Kraus to give the Giants a 2-1 lead through two periods. In the third, the Giants came out swinging, as Gronick’s second of the game was followed by goals from Aaron Obobaifo and Tomis Marinkovic to send the Giants up 5-1. That would be how this one ended, with the Giants winning 5-1.
THE LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET
KELOWNA
It was just over a week ago, on Wednesday, February 7th, that the Victoria Royals visited the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place in Kelowna. Starting in goal for the Rockets was Jari Kykkanen, while Jayden Kraus got the start for the Royals. In the first period, the Rockets would jump ahead 1-0 on a powerplay goal from Tij Iginla. Five minutes later, the Rockets doubled their lead when Hiroki Gojsic found the back of the net, sending the game to the first intermission with the Rockets leading 2-0. That score would end up staying true through two more periods, as the Rockets picked up a 2-0 win. Jayden Kraus made 39 saves for the Royals, none of them finer than a second period robbery of Gabriel Szturc.
Jayden Kraus! 😲
The @victoriaroyals goaltender gets the pads up to deny Gabriel Szturc! #CHLGOTW pic.twitter.com/Hgnk9FjRxk
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) February 8, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ROCKETS
- Ranked as the #11 skater in North America for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Tij Iginla is having a strong year for the Kelowna Rockets. The product of Lake Country, BC has produced 35 goals and 63 points through 49 games for Kelowna. The Rockets acquired Iginla from the Seattle Thunderbirds on June 7th in exchange for 2005-born forward Grady Lenton, a first round draft pick (2024) and a second round draft pick (2027) in the WHL Prospects Draft.
- Andrew Cristall was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the second round (40th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 5’10” forward leads the Rockets with 84 points (including 31 goals) in 47 games this season.
VICTORIA
- Since being acquired at the WHL Trade Deadline, Tyson Laventure has produced at over a point-per-game clip for the Royals. Through 11 games for Victoria, Laventure has 7 goals and 13 points.
- Norwegian forward Casper Evensen Haugen has goals in back-to-back games for the Royals. Drafted by Victoria with the ninth overall draft pick in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, Haugen has four points over the last two games for Victoria.
SEASON RECORDS
vs ROCKETS
- 09 @ KEL • 9-7 Win
- 25 @ KEL • 6-3 Loss
- 03 @ KEL • 3-2 Loss
- 13 v. KEL • 4-2 Win
- 14 v. KEL • 5-3 Loss
- 07 @ KEL • 7-6 Loss
- 16 v. KEL • 7:05 pm
- 17 v. KEL • 6:05 pm
LAST 5 GAMES
ROYALS
- 5-1 L v. Vancouver (02-14-2024)
- 9-6 L @ Prince George (02-10-2024)
- 4-1 L @ Prince George (02-09-2024)
- 2-0 L @ Kelowna (02-07-2024)
- 5-3 L @ Seattle (02-04-2024)
ROCKETS
- 4-2 L v. Spokane (02-13-2024)
- 7-3 L v. Kamloops (02-10-2024)
- 6-3 W @ Kamloops (02-09-2024)
- 2-0 W v. Victoria (02-07-2024)
- 8-5 L @ Spokane (02-04-2024)
ROYALS UPCOMING SCHEDULE
- Feb. 17 v. KEL • 6:05 pm
- Feb. 19 @ KAM • 2:00 pm
- Feb. 23 v. POR • 7:05 pm
- Feb. 24 v. POR • 6:05 pm
- Mar. 01 @ TRI • 7:05 pm
WATCH AND LISTEN
Radio broadcast
Royals games will be broadcast on 91.3 FM the Zone this season with Marlon Martens calling all of the action.
Online video stream
All Royals games will be available on WHL Live. WHL Live is available to fans anywhere in the world, providing high-quality streaming of WHL games on Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV platforms, via mobile with iOS and Android, and on web using Safari or Google Chrome web browsers. Visit watch.chl.cafor complete details and subscription options.
Written by Graham Morrison