Royals keep dream season alive

Six is sweet.

The Victoria Royals moved to a franchise record half-dozen victories to start the WHL season, with a 4-1 victory over the Blazers on Friday night in Kamloops.

Meanwhile, the Blazers’ nightmare beginning grew even darker at 0-7, the worst start to a WHL season in the otherwise distinguished career of veteran coach Don Hay.

Over-age 20-year-olds, forward Tyler Soy and defenceman Chaz Reddekopp, scored in their first game back with the Royals from the pro training camps of the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings, respectively.

“It was a great feeling in our room having both of them back,” said Royals head coach Dan Price.

Victoria forward Dante Hannoun scored his eighth goal while Belarusian import Igor Martynov his third of the season. Water-bug quick Matthew Phillips of the Royals added an assist to push his points total to 14.

Continuing a curious trend, the Royals were outshot noticeably, relying on another fine 32-save performance from goaltender and game first-star Griffen Outhouse.

“Maybe we’ve needed Griffen too much,” said Price.

“Kamloops pushed hard, outshooting us 14-5 in the third period. But, as we have done before, we kept the volume of those shots to the outside where Griff can see them. Yet, the opposition forwards are getting into our zone and that’s something we need to clean up.”

Blazers goaltender Dylan Ferguson from Lantzville, signed by the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL, made only 18 saves.

The Royals get a rare Saturday off tonight. They will meet the Tri City Americans on Tuesday and Wednesday at Save-onFoods Memorial Centre.

ICE CHIPS: Victoria captain Phillips now knows where the final Canadian junior team selection camp will take place. It will be held Dec. 12-15 in St. Catharines, Ont. Phillips is a candidate for the Canadian team to the 2018 world junior championships from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Buffalo, New York.