Recap: Royals (1) vs. Rockets (4) – December 8th, 2024
The Victoria Royals were back at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre this afternoon for their second consecutive matchup against the Kelowna Rockets in the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Despite putting up 33 shots, the Royals fell 4–1 to the Rockets.
Kelowna was first to get on the board, with Connor Pankratz scoring the only goal of the first frame at 11:48 to send the Royals into the second period trailing 1–0.
Just past the halfway mark of the second period, captain Justin Kipkie netted a power play goal—assisted by Nate Misskey and Cole Reschny—to tie the game and initiate the downpour of teddy bears. The teams remained knotted at one headed into the third period.
The Rockets pulled ahead early in the third period with a goal from Hiroki Gojsic at 3:52. Andrew Cristall extended Kelowna’s lead with a pair of goals at 8:52 and 9:56. Kelowna held the three-goal cushion through the rest of the frame to win 4-1.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
11:48 Kelowna Rockets Goal
Connor Pankratz (1) assisted by Jakub Stancl and Rowan Guest
2nd Period
10:21 Victoria Royals Goal
Justin Kipkie (7) assisted by Nate Misskey and Cole Reschny
3rd Period
3:52 Kelowna Rockets Goal
Hiroki Gojsic (9) assisted by Michael Cicek
8:52 Kelowna Rockets Goal
Andrew Cristall (21) assisted by Kanjyu Gojsic and Jacob Henderson
8:56 Kelowna Rockets Goal
Andrew Cristall (22) assisted by Kalder Varga and Caden Price
Shots on Goal
Royals – 33
Rockets – 43
Powerplay
Royals – 1/1
Rockets – 1/3
Goalie Stats
Royals
Spencer Michnik – 39/43
Rockets
Jake Pilon – 32/33
What’s Next
The Royals will have a five-day break before returning to the SOFMC this Friday, December 13 to host the Vancouver Giants, for the teams’ first divisional rival matchup of the season. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m..
