Recap: Royals (2) vs. Chiefs (9) – March 7th, 2025
Victoria B.C. — Tonight, the Victoria Royals hosted the Spokane Chiefs at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre for the first game of a back-to-back series.
The Chiefs opened the scoring 11 seconds into the game with a goal from Rasmus Ekström. Andrew Cristall extended the Chiefs’ lead to two goals at 10:34 of the first period. At 13:44, Will McIsaac netted a shorthanded goal. Twenty seconds later, a goal from Brayden Crampton extended the Chiefs’ lead to 4-0. Berkely Catton then added a power play marker at 14:13. The Chiefs led 5-0 after the first 20 minutes of play.
In the second period, Keaton Verhoeff netted a powerplay marker at 8:01 with assists from Nate Misskey and Markus Loponen. The goal, Verhoeff’s 19th this season, set a new Royals franchise record for the most goals by a defenceman in a single season. The Chiefs led 5-1 after two periods.
Berkly Catton added his second goal of the night on the power play at 1:10 of the third period. At 2:57, Nathan Mayes extended the Chiefs’ lead to 7-1. The Royals answered back at 6:44 with a marker from Keaton Verhoeff, assisted by Reggie Newman and Brandon Lisowsky. Chase Harrington netted a goal at 14:04 of the frame, extending the Chiefs’ lead to six. At 17:07 of the frame, Andrew Cristall netted his second goal of the night to lift the Chiefs to a 9-2 win.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
0:11 Spokane Chiefs Goal
Rasmus Ekström (22) assisted by Assanali Sarkenov.
10:34 Spokane Chiefs Goal
Andrew Cristall (43) assisted by Berkly Catton and Will McIsaac.
13:44 Spokane Chiefs Goal
Will McIsaac (5) assisted by Shea Van Olm and Andrew Cristall.
14:04 Spokane Chiefs Goal
Brayden Crampton (9) assisted by Will McIsaac and Saige Weinstein.
14:13 Spokane Chiefs Goal
Berkly Catton (37) assisted by Andrew Cristall and Brayden Crampton.
2nd Period
8:01 Victoria Royals Goal
Keaton Verhoeff (19) assisted by Nate Misskey and Markus Loponen.
3rd Period
1:10 Spokane Chiefs Goal
Berkly Catton (38) assisted by Andrew Cristall and Dawson Cowan.
2:57 Spokane Chiefs Goal
Nathan Mayes (5) assisted by Brayden Crampton and Rasmus Ekström.
6:44 Victoria Royals Goal
Keaton Verhoeff (20) assisted by Reggie Newman and Brandon Lisowsky.
14:04 Spokane Chiefs Goal
Chase Harrington (19) assisted by Brayden Crampton and Berkly Catton.
17:07 Spokane Chiefs Goal
Andrew Cristall (44) assisted by Nathan Mayes and Rasmus Ekström.
Shots on Goal
Royals — 44
Chiefs — 30
Powerplay
Royals — 1/4
Chiefs — 2/5
Goalie Stats
Royals
Hicks — 11/16
Kraus — 24/28
Chiefs
Cowan — 28/30
What’s Next
The Royals and Chiefs will meet again tomorrow night at the SOFMC for their final meeting this regular season, puck drop is scheduled for 6:05 pm. On Friday, March 14, the Royals will host their final home game of the regular season, and fan appreciation night, against the Vancouver Giants at 7:05 pm.
