Royals fall in nail-biter against Spokane

Spokane, WA. — The Victoria Royals wrapped up their mid-week US road swing tonight, facing the Spokane Chiefs in their final meeting of this regular season. A back-and-forth effort saw the Royals and Chiefs through 60 minutes, but in the end the Royals fell with a final score of 4-3.  

 

Spokane took an early lead with a goal from Ethan Hughes less than three minutes into the opening frame. The Royals had several dangerous chances through the first period, but they were unable to get on the board and trailed 1-0 headed into the first intermission.  

 

The teams traded power play opportunities in the first half of the second period, but neither team could convert on their early-frame man advantages. Henry Peterson got the Royals on the board at 9:20, assisted by Nolan Stewart, to knot the game at one. The Chiefs broke the tie on a power play late in the frame, and led the Royals 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.  

 

Ashton Brown struck early in the third period, assisted by Nolan Stewart and Reggie Newman, to bring the game back square at two. The Chiefs responded to reclaim their lead with a goal from Will McIsaac less than a minute later. After the Royals pulled the goalie to send the extra attacker in the dying minutes of the third period, the Chiefs buried an empty-net goal to extend their lead to two. Timofei Runtso brought the Royals back within one in the final minute of regulation, assisted by Odin Vauhkonen and Nolan Stewart, but the Royals were unable to complete the comeback and the Chiefs came out on top 4-3.  

 

Scoring Summary  

1st Period 

2:48 Spokane Chiefs Goal 

Ethan Hughes (7) assisted by Tyus Sparks 

 

2nd Period 

9:20 Victoria Royals Goal 

Henry Peterson (4) assisted by Nolan Stewart 

18:19 Spokane Chiefs Goal 

Owen Martin (20) assisted by Chase Harrington and Dominik Petr 

 

3rd Period 

2:26 Victoria Royals Goal 

Ashton Brown (12) assisted by Nolan Stewart and Reggie Newman 

3:19 Spokane Chiefs Goal 

Will McIsaac (7) assisted by Coco Armstrong and Rhett Sather 

19:32 Victoria Royals Goal
Timofei Runtso (10) assisted by Odin Vauhkonen and Nolan Stewart 

 

Shots on Goal 

Royals – 31 

Chiefs – 38 

 

Powerplay 

Royals – 0/2 

Chiefs – 1/3 

 

Goalie Stats 

 

Royals  

Ethan Eskit – 34/37 

 

Chiefs 

Carter Esler – 28/31 

 

What’s Next 

The Royals will be back at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre this weekend, hosting the Portland Winterhawks in back-to-back games to close their season series. Puck drop for the first game is set for 7:05 PM this Friday, February 27th.