Preview | Mar. 16 | Cougars @ Royals

Victoria, BC – For the second time in as many nights, the Victoria Royals are host to the visiting Prince George Cougars. Make sure to bring your cowboy hats as it’s Country Fest at the rink. Puck drop is set for 6:05 PM at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Prior to the start of the game, the Royals will be honouring their three 20-year-old players, who are in their final year of WHL eligibility.

DEFENSIVE RETURNS

The Royals got a pair of reinforcements Friday night against Prince George, as defensemen Nate Misskey and Austin Zemlak returned from lengthy injuries. Misskey was last seen 21 games ago, on January 9th, in Brandon against the Wheat Kings. Zemlak’s last game was 17 games ago, on January 27th, against the Vancouver Giants.

THE LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET

PRINCE GEORGE

Just last night the Cougars visited the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre to take on the Royals. Vancouver Canucks prospect Ty Young got the start in goal for the Cougars, while Braden Holt started in net for the Royals. Eight minutes into the game Terik Parascak (38) fired a rocket of a shot past Holt to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Later in the first, Tyson Laventure (28) scored on the powerplay to tie the game 1-1. Early in the second period, the Cougars jumped out to a 3-1 lead scoring two goals in 41 seconds from Hudson Thornton (17) and Oren Shtrom (12). With just 2.6 seconds left in the period, Terik Parascak (39) struck again, this time on the powerplay, giving the Cougars a 4-1 lead after two periods of play. In the third period, Hudson Thornton (13) would pot his second of the game as the Cougars took a commanding 5-1 lead. Late in the third, Jett Lajoie (4) scored off a rebound, as the Cougars cruised to a 6-1 win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

COUGARS

• Rookie forward Terik Parascak has had a sensational year for the Cougars. Drafted by Prince George in the fourth round (76th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Parascak has 39 goals and 96 points in 64 games for the Cougars.
• Goalie Joshua Ravensbergen leads the WHL in shutouts this season with six. The 6’4” netminder has a spectacular 24-4-1-1 record this season for the Cougars, while posting a .907 save percentage and a 2.46 goals against average.

VICTORIA

Prior to tonight’s game, the Royals will be honouring their three 2003-born players who are wrapping up their final season of eligibility in the WHL.

• Acquired at the trade deadline this year, Tyson Laventure has been a match made in heaven for the Royals. The 6’3” winger has 13 goals and 26 points in 21 games since joining Victoria, and has 28 goals and 62 points in 61 games total this season.
• Acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings on October 5th, Dawson Pasternak found instant chemistry with Royals rookie Cole Reschny. In 59 games this season for the Royals, Pasternak has 24 goals and 68 points, both of which are career highs.
• Braden Holt has been a stable presence in goal for the Royals all season long. The Bozeman, Montana native has set a career high in games played, appearing in 44 games with a 20-16-4-3 record. Holt was drafted by the Everett Silvertips in the 12th round (262nd overall) of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft.

SEASON RECORDS

vs PRINCE GEORGE

• Sep. 29 v. PG • 11-2 L
• Sep. 30 v. PG • 5-3 L
• Dec. 08 @ PG • 5-3 W
• Dec. 09 @ PG • 1-0 L
• Feb. 09 @ PG • 4-1 L
• Feb. 10 @ PG • 9-6 L
• Mar. 15 v. PG • 6-1 L
• Mar. 16 v. PG • 6:05 pm

LAST 5 GAMES

ROYALS

• 6-1 L v. Prince George (03-15-2024)
• 6-2 L v. Everett (03-09-2024)
• 4-1 L @ Everett (03-08-2024)
• 6-3 L @ Spokane (03-05-2024)
• 5-4 OTL @ Portland (03-02-2024)

COUGARS

• 6-1 W @ Victoria (03-15-2024)
• 6-5 OTW @ Kelowna (03-13-2024)
• 6-3 W v. Vancouver (03-09-2024)
• 5-3 W v. Vancouver (03-08-2024)
• 5-4 OTW v. Spokane (03-02-2024)

ROYALS UPCOMING SCHEDULE

• Mar. 20 v. WEN • 7:05 pm
• Mar. 22 v. WEN • 7:05 pm
• Playoffs: Dates TBD

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