The Victoria Royals (17-31-2-4) open a five game homestand with a pair against the visiting Everett Silvertips (12-31-1-8) Tuesday and Wednesday at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, with the pregame show at 6:45 on the Zone @ 91.3.SEASON SERIES: Tonight is the first of four meetings between the Royals and the Silvertips. Last season, the Chilliwack Bruins were (2-1-1-0) versus Everett, and an even .500 over the last 5 seasons.
LAST GAMES: Victoria is returning home from a 2 game US road swing, picking up a point in a 6-5 shoot out loss in Spokane on Friday. The Royals held a 2-0 lead in the second in Tri City, but ultimately fell 6-3 to the Americans Saturday and are now winless in 2.
The Silvertips had their 2 game winning streak snapped, falling 7-3 in Portland Friday evening. Campbell River product Josh Caron picked up his first two assists as a Silvertip as they outshot the Winterhawks 32-31. Everett went 0 for 7 on the powerplay while Portland went 3 for 3. Everett won their previous 2 games on the road in Prince George.
STANDINGS: Victoria is in 7th place in the West, 2 points up on Seattle, 6 up on Prince George, and 7 ahead of Everett. They Royals have played two more games than the Thunderbirds, Cougars and Silvertips. Victoria still has 4 games remaining against Prince George, none against Seattle, and all 4 against Everett.
Heading into tonight Victoria has 11 home games remaining and 7 on the road.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Royals hot power play ranked 12th, was unable to capitalize on 6 chances on Saturday at Tri City, they were 5 for 12 over their last two heading into the contest. Victoria’s perfect penalty killing streak lasted over three games going 10 for 10, but came to an end in the third period against the Americans.
Everett’s power play ranked 13th, scored multiple goals six times in January and was held scoreless only four times, nearly 32% efficiency.
X FACTORS: The Silvertips have taken the fewest shots, while giving up the most in the league. They’ve scored the second fewest amount of goals, while the Royals have the 11th most. The ‘Tips have allowed the 4th most goal against in the league. Goal differential per period, (-17,-29,-28).
SHOOT OUT: Everett has given up the extra point in 8 of 9 games, only scoring 6 times on 33 attempts.
WHO TO WATCH: Jamie Crooks leads the Royals in scoring with 56 points. He’s scored in 4 straight and has 11 points in his alst 8 games. Ben Walker (2g 5a) is on a 4 game point streak, Brandon Magee (3g 3a) also has points in 4 straight. Steven Hodges (3g 1a) and Hayden Rintoul (3a) have 3 game streaks going.
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| D Ryan Murray |
Josh Birkholtz leads the team in scoring with 44 points and has 12 in his last 11 games (7g 4a). Ryan Harrison is second in scoring with 36 points in 50 games and has 22 points in his last 20. Kohl Bauml has 5 multiple point games in his last 11 outings.
ISLANDERS: D Josh Caron is from Campbell River, and D Lucas Grayson Port Hardy.
LEADING SCORERS:
Birkholz (24-20-44)
Harrison (13-23-36)
Winquist (12-18-30)
Bauml (13-15-28)
Fowlie (8-20-28)
Crooks (29-27-56)
Nelson (20-31-51)
Soudek (22-25-47)
Magee (18-22-40)
Rintoul (12-26-38)
IRON MEN: Four Royals have played in all 54 games this season, Hayden Rintoul, Jamie Crooks, Steven Hodges and Mike Forsyth.
DRAFTED/NHL SIGNED PLAYERS: For Victoria: D Tyler Stahl (Carolina, 6th rd 2010), D Jordan Fransoo (Ottawa, 7th rd 2011). For Everett: Josh Birkholz, (Florida Panthers, 2009), Ryan Harrison, (Vancouver Canucks, F/A), Kent Simpson, (Chicago Blackhawks, 2010).
TOP PROSPECTS: Central Scoutings mid-term rankings of North American players positions Victoria’s Steven Hodges (55), and Logan Nelson (108). For Everett: D Ryan Murray (3), D Nick Walters (68).
DOWN THE STRETCH (18 games):
Victoria: Home Games (11), Away (7)
Opposition: Prince George x 4, Everett x 4, Calgary x 1, Van x 3, Spok x 2, Kelowna x 1, Portland x 2, Kamloops x 1
INJURIES:
For Victoria:
#7, Tyler Stahl, Upper body, indefinite.
For Everett:
#9, J.T Barnett, Lower body, week to week
#19, Manraj Hayer, Upper body, day to day
#24, Zach McPhee, Upper body, 7-10 days
Suspension TBD: Brennan Yadlowski
