WCQF | Game #4 | Preview | Winterhawks @ Royals

Victoria, BC – It’s do or die time in Victoria, as the Royals have their backs against the wall in their best-of-seven series against the Portland Winterhawks. Despite some close games, the Winterhawks are up 3-0 in the series. Tonight, the Royals attempt to force a game five. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

WHL Western Conference Quarter Finals

Portland Winterhawks (2) vs Victoria Royals (7)

Portland leads the series 3-0

• Game 1: Mar. 29 @ POR • 4-3 L
• Game 2: Mar. 30 @ POR • 5-1 L
• Game 3: Apr. 02 v. POR • 6-5 L
• 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 3

PORTLAND

The third game of the best-of-seven series took place just last night as the series shifted to Victoria. The Royals were the first team to get on the board when Teydon Trembecky (1) walked in on a two-on-one and beat goalie Jan Špunar to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. However, a pair of goals from James Stefan (3, 4) would give the Winterhawks a 2-1 lead through one period of play. The Royals came out swinging early in the second period, scoring two goals in a two minute span, from Justin Kipkie (1) and Tanner Scott (2) to take a 3-2 lead. Late in the period, the Winterhawks would tie the game on a goal from Josh Mori (1) before James Stefan (5) completed the hat-trick sending the Winterhawks to the second intermission up 4-3. It took the Royals just 28 seconds into the third period to tie the game when Casper Haugen Evensen (1) snapped home a quick wrister. Again, the Winterhawks had an answer as Josh Davies (2) fired a one-timer home on the powerplay giving Portland a 5-4 lead. A couple minutes later, a phenomenal stretch pass from Luca Cagnoni sent Gabe Klassen (2) in on a breakaway, where he made no mistake giving Portland a 6-4 lead. With the goalie pulled, Tyson Laventure (2) would pull the Royals within a goal, scoring from behind the net by bouncing the puck off the back of the Portland goalie. That would be as close as the Royals would get as the Winterhawks held on to a 6-5 win giving them a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

WINTERHAWKS

• Florida Panthers prospect Josh Davies made an impact in game three, scoring a goal as part of a three-point night. The Airdrie, Alberta native has five points through the series first three games. A former Swift Current Bronco, Davies scored 36 goals and 61 points in 55 games for the Winterhawks this past season, his first with the Winterhawks.
• 20-year-old forward James Stefan was one of five 50-goal scorers in the WHL, scoring 50 goals and producing 101 points in 67 games for Portland. Despite being undrafted to the NHL, Stefan’s performance this season didn’t go unnoticed as he earned an entry level contract from the Edmonton Oilers as an undrafted free-agent. Through three games this series, Stefan has five goals and eight points, and is coming off a hat-trick in Tuesday’s game.

ROYALS

• Nate Misskey had a strong game on Tuesday, picking up a pair of assists. Misskey produced 34 points in 44 games this season for the Royals. The defenceman is one of five members on the Royals; roster who have produced at a point-per-game pace or better during the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
• Veteran Tyson Laventure has continued his strong run of form since being acquired by the Royals at the WHL Trade Deadline. The Lloydminster, Alberta native put up 16 goals and 31 points in 25 regular-season games for the Royals after being traded from Swift Current. In the playoffs, Laventure has a pair of goals and three points in three games.

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. 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.ca for complete details and subscription options

Written by Graham Morrison