Royals rocked by mumps scare before game

The Victoria Royals activated the mumps protocol on Friday.

Two players and head coach Dave Lowry came down with flu-like symptoms before a Western Hockey League game in Kamloops against the Blazers.

“We are doing this out of an abundance of caution,” said Royals general manager Cam Hope.

Lowry and defencemen Ralph Jarratt and Mitchell Prowse have been isolated, said Hope. “We are being super careful. Better safe than sorry. We should have the test results in a day or two.”

With Lowry relegated to his hotel room, Royals assistant Dan Price handled the head-coaching duties on Friday night in Kamloops as the Royals fell 6-2 to the Blazers.

Players for two other WHL teams have been sidelined by mumps this season.

The Brandon Wheat Kings, on Feb. 7, had a player diagnosed. Seven Medicine Hat Tigers players and coaches were confirmed about the time the Royals were in Medicine Hat for a game on Feb. 15. Mumps has a 25-day incubation period. The earlier outbreaks prompted the WHL to issue an statement on Feb. 24 advising clubs to sanitize dressing rooms and equipment and to instruct players to review their vaccination histories and avoid direct contact with fans, such as close-in autograph sessions.

The mumps virus has also struck NHL teams, including the Vancouver Canucks over the last 10 days. The Canucks were without five regulars at times last week.

The Royals, who have clinched a playoff berth and have four regular-season games remaining, were already dealing with a depleted roster due to Tyler Soy, Ryan Peckford and Chaz Reddekopp being out with injuries.