Recap | Jan. 27 | Giants @ Royals
Victoria, BC – It was Hockey Night in Victoria as the Royals (24-16-4-3) played host to the Vancouver Giants (20-24-0-2) in the second of back-to-back nights. Victoria looked for redemption against their counterparts from the mainland as the Giants grabbed the first game of the series in a 5-3 decision on Friday night at the Langley Events Centre. Both sides made a switch in net as Jayden Kraus earned the nod for Victoria, while Matthew Hutchinson got the crease for Vancouver.
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The fans in Victoria wouldn’t have to wait long to celebrate for the first time on the evening as the home side treated their fans to a goal just 35 seconds in. Justin Kipkie (14) took measures into his own hands as he led the charge while making his way into the Giants end. He would make no mistake finding the back of the net as he lifted the puck high and over the pad of Hutchinson to give Victoria the early advantage.
This Justin: Kipkie loves to score!@victoriaroyals | @ArizonaCoyotes pic.twitter.com/sOdphNHS6l
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 28, 2024
Vancouver didn’t take lightly to the early goal from Victoria as they responded in a blink of an eye. It was newly acquired Winnipeg Jets prospect Connor Levis (12) beating Jayden Kraus to level the score at one apiece just 14 seconds after the Kipkie marker.
The fast paced first period would continue as the Royals aimed to restore their lead. They would find that go ahead goal just prior to the twelve minute mark as they went to work on their first powerplay of the game. Justin Kipkie (15) unleashed on a slap-shot from the blue line that evaded the reach of Hutchinson and found the back of the net. Drawing the assists on the play was Tyler Laventure, who extended his point streak to eight games, and Dawson Pasternak who reached the 100 point milestone in his WHL career.
Kipkie does it again! pic.twitter.com/wC6rSJFadJ
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) January 28, 2024
That would be the final tally in the opening frame as Victoria carried a one goal advantage into the middle period.
Victoria would add to their lead just past the five minute mark of the second. Tyson Laventure (19) continued his impressive form since being acquired via trade from Swift Current as he followed up on a Teydon Trembecky rebound with a plan in motion as he pounced on a loose puck before sending it passed Hutchinson and into the back of the Giants net.
Laventure does it again! pic.twitter.com/ad4JbxC0L9
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) January 28, 2024
The two goal advantage would turn to three in quick order as the Royals made their way back to the powerplay. Reggie Newman (14) found himself in the right place at the right time as a Teydon Tremebcky shot from the high-slot deflected off his leg and trickled into the back of the giants net.
Our second powerplay marker of the game gives us a three goal advantage! pic.twitter.com/SEyXikGWu3
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) January 28, 2024
Just 85 seconds later, the Royals powerplay striked again. It was Tyson Laventure (20) double dipping as he became the first Royal to reach 20 goals on the season. It was also the 20-year-old’s third point of the net, as well as Victoria’s third powerplay marker.
2⃣0⃣ on the season, 2⃣ on the night – Tyson Laventure 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/WFZkzy9xGO
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) January 28, 2024
The scoring continued to go fast and furious in the second period as Vancouver was able to cut the Royals lead to three goals off the stick of Connor Levis (13) as he notched his second goal of the evening. Shortly after that, Tyler Thorpe (22) gave the Giants their third of the evening as Vancouver tallied two goals in less than two minutes to make it a two goal game.
Victoria would return the favour and restore their three goal cushion as the period neared its conclusion. Casper Evensen Haugen (8) worked his magic with Tanner Scott on a perfectly orchestrated two-on-one rush. Scott found Haugen at the back door where he out-waited Hutchinson and lifted the puck into the back of the net.
Casper the cheeky ghost 👻 pic.twitter.com/WgdvJReuX4
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) January 28, 2024
The goal from Haugen sent Victoria into the second intermission with a three goal cushion.
Early in the third period, Vancouver would strike again. Mazden Leslie (11) grabbed the Giants fourth goal of the contest with assistance from Jaden Lipinski and Ty Halaburda just under four minutes into the final frame. This would prompt a goaltending change for Victoria as Braden Holt came into action in relief of Jayden Kraus.
Vancouver wasn’t done there as they found away to make it a one goal contest as they capitalized on an odd man rush. Adam Tiltbach (6) slid the puck into the net after receiving a pass from London Hoilett. The play prompted a lengthy video review as the puck crossed the line as a Royals defender knocked the net off its moorings, but in the end, the Giants were awarded the goal.
As the game passed the midway mark of the third period, Vancouver would find an equalizer. Connor Levis (14) capped off his hat-trick as the Giants grabbed their second powerplay goal of the game which would set the stage for a dramatic finish at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre as the game would need overtime.
In the extra frame, it would be a Vancouver triumph as they completed the comeback off a Tyson Zimmer (15) goal with just seconds remaining. The Giants earned the 7-6 overtime victory.
