WCQF | Apr. 2 | Preview | Royals @ Winterhawks
Victoria, BC – Playoff hockey returns to the Victoria as the Royals pursuit for the Ed Chynoweth Cup continues. Unsuccessful in their first two tries down in Portland, the Royals best-of-seven series against the Portland Winterhawks heads north of the border. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
LAST TIME THE MET IN THE POSTSEASON
This series is the second time the Royals have faced the Winterhawks in franchise history, with the last match up coming in the second round of the 2014 playoffs. The Winterhawks won the first two games of the series in Portland, before coming back to Victoria where the Royals won game three by a 2-1 scoreline. Those Royals were led by names such as Brandon Magee, Patrik Polivka, Joe Hicketts, and Logan Nelson, while the Winterhawks featured names like Oliver Bjorkstrand, Nic Petan, Matt Dumba and Derrick Pouliot.
SERIES AT A GLANCE
WHL Western Conference Quarter Finals
Portland Winterhawks (2) vs Victoria Royals (7)
Portland leads the series 2-0
- Game 1: Mar. 29 @ POR • 4-3 L
- Game 2: Mar. 30 @ POR • 5-1 L
- Game 3: Apr. 02 v. POR • 7:05 pm
- Game 4: Apr. 03 v. POR • 7:05 pm
- Game 5*: Apr. 05 v. POR • 7:05 pm
- Game 6*: Apr. 07 @ POR • 5:00 pm
- Game 7*: Apr. 09 @ POR • 7:00 pm
*if necessary
THE PREVIOUS GAME IN THE SERIES
GAME 2
PORTLAND
The second game of the best-of-seven series was a Saturday night clash at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. The Winterhawks rolled with Jan Špunar in goal while Braden Holt was in net for the Royals. James Stefan (1) got the Winterhawks on the board early in the first period when he fired a seeing eye shot past Braden Holt. Midway through the period, a hard wrister from Winterhawks defenseman Luca Cagnoni (3) made it a 2-0 game. In the final minute of the first period, James Stefan (2) would uncork a hard one-timer to put Portland up 3-0 through one period of play. Early in the second period the Royals would get on the board, when Dawson Pasternak (1) fired home a one-timer of his own on the powerplay making it a 3-1 game. 13 minutes into the period, Winterhawks forward Josh Davies (1) showcased nice hands in tight on the powerplay to re-establish the Winterhawks three-goal lead. Early in the third period, Nate Danielson (1) would sneak one just barely over the line to put Portland up 5-1. That’s how this one ended, as the Winterhawks took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Braden Holt made 28 saves in goal for the Royals.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
WINTERHAWKS
- Defenceman Luca Cagnoni has scored the game winning goal in both games this series. The blueliner from Burnaby had a 72 assist, 90 point campaign in 65 games for the Winterhawks. Cagnoni is property of the San Jose Sharks, having been drafted by San Jose in the fourth round (123rd overall) in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
- With five points in the first two games of the series, center Nate Danielson has been a force for Portland. With those five points, Danielson is tied for second in scoring for the WHL playoffs, sitting two behind Wenatchee Wild forward Briley Wood for the league lead.
ROYALS
- Justin Kipkie leads the Royals in points through two games this postseason with three. The 6’3” defenceman had a career year for the Royals setting new highs in goals (16), assists (36), and points (52) in 67 games for Victoria. From Calgary, Kipkie was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the fifth round (161st overall) in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
- Royals goalie Braden Holt has been a workhorse for Victoria this season. The 20-year-old netminder played in 47 games this season posting a 3.57 GAA and .894 save percentage. The Bozeman, Montana native had a 21-17-4-3 record throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
SEASON RECORDS
vs WINTERHAWKS
- Nov. 22 @ POR • 4-3 SOL
- Feb. 23 @ POR • 6-2 L
- Feb. 24 v. POR • 5-2 L
- Mar. 02 v. POR • 5-4 OTL
ROYALS UPCOMING SCHEDULE
- Apr. 02 v. POR • 7:05 pm
- Apr. 03 v. POR • 7:05 pm
- Apr. 05 v. POR • 7:05 pm*
- Apr. 07 @ POR • 5:00 pm*
- Apr. 09 @ POR • 7:00 pm*
*If necessary
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