Young Royals impress in road loss

With apologies to Richard Harris, but McArthur Park was melting in the dark Friday night for the Victoria Royals.

The Blazers defeated the Royals 5-3 in the 2017 WHL preseason opener for both clubs played at the McArthur Island Sports Centre in Kamloops.

The intriguing off-season acquisition Jared Legien, a 2013 top-10 bantam draft pick who turns 19 today, scored twice for Victoria, once on the power play. Dino Kambeitz of Parker, Colorado, biting around the edges last season and hoping to crack the team as a 17-year-old, scored the other Royals goal on the power play.

The Royals dressed a mix of players, including 15-year-old forward Ty Yoder. Only defenceman Scott Walford played of Victoria’s four NHL-drafted players. Forwards Matthew Phillips and Tyler Soy sat out while blue-liner Chaz Reddekopp is already in Los Angeles for the Kings rookie pre-camp.

“Our guys competed extremely hard,” said first-year Victoria head coach Dan Price.

“Kamloops dressed an older lineup, so this was a good experience for our younger players.”

The Royals are carrying 30 players at the moment, 25 of whom are on this road trip.

Montreal Canadiens thirdround selection Walford, who had an assist, and returning utility forward Spencer Gerth skated as assistant captains for Victoria.

With No. 1 goaltender Griffen Outhouse not on the trip, Dylan Myskiw and Brock Gould shared the Victoria crease. Returning back-up Myskiw allowed two goals on 17 shots and Gould three goals on 24 shots. Victoria got 28 shots on Dylan Ferguson.

Victoria continues the preseason tonight in Kelowna against the Rockets.