Sick and tired: Royals trip ends with a loss
VANCOUVER 5 VICTORIA 3
For most of the Western Hockey League season, the Vancouver Giants have been a cure for what ails opposing teams. Not on this night. No, on Tuesday it was the mumps-riddled Victoria Royals who were left feeling even more sickly, winless on this five-game road trip after a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the lowly Giants at the Langley Events Centre.
Mired in the bottom of the Western Conference standings and with the second-worst record in the league, the now 20-43-3-3 Giants managed just their second win in 10 outings against the Royals in 2016-17.
Earlier in the day the Royals announced that head coach Dave Lowry and defenceman Matthew Prowse had indeed tested positive for mumps, while defenceman Ralph Jarrett tested negative. Both are past contagious, however, and are expected to be back on the ice for Thursday practice.
It was a tough loss, arduous trip and an exhausting week for the Royals, who now head home to prepare for the final two regular season games of the year, at home Friday to the Everett Silvertips. The two teams head south to conclude the home-and-home affair on Saturday.
“It’s been a challenging month, and a tough road trip, but adversity is part of the process. We’ll be ready for the playoffs,” said general manager Cam Hope.
James Malm had a pair of goals and two assists for Vancouver. Brayden Watts, former Royal Jordan Wharrie and Ty Ronning also scored for the Giants, who snapped an eight-game losing streak that dated back to Feb. 18.
They won on Don Cherry night, donning tartan suit jerseys.
Matthew Phillips scored a pair of goals for the Royals, his second was his 50th of the season on a penalty shot early in the third period as he moved one goal away from tying a franchise record for goals in a season, behind former Chilliwack Bruin Ryan Howse.
Phillips becomes just the fourth player in the Canadian Hockey League to reach the 50-goal milestone this season. Blake Bargar also scored for Victoria, which slips to 37-27-5-1.
“It seemed like every time we got close and it felt like we were going to tie it, something would happen — there would be a breakdown or they would capitalize on a chance and pull away again a little bit,” said Royals assistant coach Dan Price. “We just have to find a way to stay consistent.”
Giants goalie David Tendeck was stellar making 39 saves, while Griffen Outhouse stopped 28 shots.
LOOSE PUCKS: The Royals announced Games 3 and 4 of the opening playoff series will be held March 28 and 29 at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre against an opponent still to be determined. Single tickets go on sale Friday at 9:30 a.m.