WCQF | Game #2 | Preview | Royals @ Winterhawks
Portland, OR – The quest for the Ed Chynoweth Cup continues in Portland, Oregon as the Royals attempt to tie up their best-of-seven series with the Portland Winterhawks. Puck drop is set for 6:00 pm at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
PLAYOFF WATCH PARTY
Join us at the Six Mile Pub & Eatery (494 Island Highway) this evening starting at 5:00 pm for the official Victoria Royals watch party.
SERIES AT A GLANCE
WHL Western Conference Quarter Finals
Portland Winterhawks (2) vs Victoria Royals (7)
Portland leads the series 1-0
- Game 1: Mar. 29 @ POR • 4-3 L
- Game 2: Mar. 30 @ POR • 6:00 pm
- 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 1
PORTLAND
The best-of-seven series kicked off last night at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. Braden Holt started in goal for the Royals, while Jan Špunar started for the Winterhawks. Defenseman Luca Cagnoni (1) scored the series first goal at the midway point of the first period to give the Winterhawks a 1-0 lead. That lead would last for just over a minute, when Tyson Laventure (1) would jump on a loose puck, firing a laser past Špunar, tying the game 1-1. Late in the second period, Casper Evensen Haugen found himself on a 2-on-1 with Justin Kipkie, who would fire a one-timer on goal. Špunar made the save, but hard working Tanner Scott (1) dove on the rebound to give the Royals a 2-1 lead through two periods. The Winterhawks would come out flying in the third period, scoring three straight goals from Carter Sotheran (1), Gabe Klassen (1) and Luca Cagnoni (2) to jump ahead 4-2. In the final minute of the period, with the Royals net empty, Nate Misskey (1) would score on the powerplay to cut the Winterhawks lead to one. Unfortunately, that’s as close as the Royals would get as Portland hung on for a 4-3 win in the series opener. Braden Holt made 30 saves for the Royals, while Jan Špunar made 22 for the Winterhawks.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
WINTERHAWKS
- Despite being held goalless in the first game of the series, James Stefan is one of the top goal scorers in the WHL. The 20-year-old forward was one of only five players in the WHL this season to score 50 or more goals. Stefan’s 101 points in 67 games put him among the top 10 point producers in the WHL this season.
- Dynamic playmaker Gabe Klassen had a strong year for the Winterhawks. Klassen had 71 assists and 106 points in 67 games for Portland this season. The 20-year-old forward finished seventh in the WHL in points, and fifth in the WHL in assists this year.
ROYALS
- Nate Misskey has returned to his impressive form after returning from a lengthy injury late in the season. Misskey now has points in each of his last three games, including a pair of goals. The 6’3” defenseman posted 7 goals and 34 points in 44 regular-games this season for the Royals.
- The Royals leading scorer this season was Dawson Pasternak. The shifty forward had a last minute assist on Nate Misskey’s goal in last nights game, and put up 45 assists and 72 points in 62 games this year for the Royals.
- 18-year-old blueliner Justin Kipkie continued his stellar sophomore season by contributing two points last night. Kipkie was a catalyst for the Royals’ strong performance in game one, as he played heavy minutes throughout the contest. He was honored for his exceptional regular-season performance last week by being named to the 2023-24 B.C. Division First All-Star team.
SEASON RECORDS
vs WINTERHAWKS
- Nov. 22 @ POR • 4-3 SOL
- Feb. 23 v. POR • 6-2 L
- Feb. 24 v. POR • 5-2 L
- Mar. 02 @ POR • 5-4 OTL
ROYALS UPCOMING SCHEDULE
- Mar. 30 @ POR • 6:00 pm
- Apr. 02 v. POR • 7:05 pm
- Apr. 03 v. POR • 7:05 pm
- Apr. 05 v. POR • 7:05 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.ca for complete details and subscription options.
Written by Graham Morrison