Royals Launch MOVEMBER Campaign

ROYALS LAUNCH 2015 MOVEMBER CAMPAIGN

Victoria to participate in Movember to raise funds for men’s health.

For Immediate Release

Friday, October 30, 2015

Victoria, BC- The Victoria Royals today announced that they will be taking part in this year’s Movember campaign in support of men’s health and the Movember Foundation.

Royals’ Keith Anderson, Logan Fisher, Alex Forsberg, Dante Hannoun, Griffen Outhouse, Ethan Price, Chaz Reddekopp, Tyler Thompson, Coleman Vollrath and Jack Walker have been selected as this year’s “Mo Bros” and will compete for donations throughout the month of November.

Fans wishing to donate to the “Mo Bros” can do so by visiting the Royals’ Movember page at http://moteam.co/victoria-royals and following the links to the players’ respective donation pages.
Movember is an annual charitable initiative encouraging the growth of moustaches on men’s faces around the world to raise awareness, support and funding for men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and male mental health. This month will mark the fifth consecutive year that the Royals have officially participated in Movember in an effort to raise funds for the Movember Foundation.
Last Season the Royals were one of 36 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) teams to help raise over $89,000 for the Movember Foundation. In the past four years, CHL clubs have helped contribute over $549,000 to this cause.

Victoria is on the road for a six-game swing starting in Prince Albert, SK to battle the Raiders tonight at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

The Royals are five years strong, and are celebrating with a Five Game Fan Pack that highlights four big nights on the 2015-16 schedule, plus a game of your choice.  Starting at just $60, the ticket pack guarantees your seat to Turn Back the Clock Night, Teddy Bear Toss, Pink in the Rink, Fan Appreciation Night and a game that you choose. These ticket packs also includes a Royals hat, puck, and team program. Pick your seats today by calling 250-220-7889 or emailing tickets@victoriaroyals.com.    

Recap: VIC 3 - PA 2 OT

Vladimir Bobylev scored the game winning goal in overtime as the visiting Victoria Royals defeated the #4 ranked team in the CHL, the Prince Albert Raiders 3-2 Friday.

“It’s just feels so good to score for my team…everyone is so happy, first road trip game - it’s two points.” – Vladimir Bobylev

Royals Joe Hicketts forced overtime with a power play goal in the third as Victoria overcame a 2-1 deficit to earn points in their 3^rd straight game (2-0-0-1). 

“We showed some resiliency, and we were able to find a way to come back in the third, and steal that extra point.” said Head Coach Dave Lowry

The Royals outshot the home team 49-24 overall and 18-3 in the first period alone, but neither team found the back of the net.

“I liked the way we came in and started the game, and controlled the pace of the game.” said Lowry,

“I thought for 40 minutes our team deserved to be up by a lot more.”

Forsberg opened the scoring with the man advantage, before Hunter Warner found the equalizer, and Jesse Lees struck with just 7.7 seconds left in the middle frame to give Prince Albert (11-2-1-1) the 2-1 lead heading into the third.

Victoria improves to 4-3 on the road and move back into top spot in the Western Conference with 19 points with a record of 9-5-0-1.

Hicketts and Alex Forsberg had a goal and assist each, while Coleman Vollrath earned his 60^th career win to tie Lucas Gore for the franchise record.

Hicketts and Forsberg each earned their 100^th career assist.

“Being on the bus for so long, maybe a lot of bottled up energy,” said Hicketts on the Royals jump in a tough building,

“It was nice to come away with two points, and the way we played as the team, and skated and moved the puck - I liked what I saw…”

Victoria went 2 for 4 on the power play while shutting down both Prince Albert man advantages.

“You challenge your best players to take more pride in it…” said Lowry about their special teams, “…and tonight our top guys were good.”

Bobylev notched the clubs first 3 on 3 overtime goal in history.

The Raiders were riding a 7 game win streak, sitting atop of the Eastern Conference and were 6-0 at home.

Rylan Parenteau made 46 saves to earn first star honours in the loss.

It was Victoria’s first game on their 6 game in 9 night Eastern road trip.  Up next they face Saskatoon Sunday at noon PST.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 3 (OT) at Prince Albert Raiders 2 - Status: Final OT
Friday, October 30, 2015 - Art Hauser Centre - Prince Albert, SK

Victoria 0 1 1 1 - 3
Prince Albert 0 2 0 0 - 2

1st Period-

No Scoring.

Penalties-Reddekopp Vic (holding), 4:22; Coleman P.a (interference), 6:30.

2nd Period-

1, Victoria, Forsberg 4 (Walker, Hicketts), 2:17 (PP).

2, Prince Albert, Warner 1 (Guhle, Montgomery), 10:22.

3, Prince Albert, Lees 6 (Gardiner, Glover), 19:52.

Penalties-Glover P.a (cross checking), 0:36; Warner P.a (interference), 7:22; Ibragimov Vic (roughing), 15:03; Dmytriw Vic (roughing), 19:23; Warner P.a (roughing), 19:23.

3rd Period-

4, Victoria, Hicketts 1 (Soy, Forsberg), 11:49 (PP).

Penalties-Williamson P.a (delay of game), 9:55.

OT Period-

5, Victoria, Bobylev 7 (Hannoun, Reddekopp), 2:08.

Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-

Victoria 18-15-13-3-49.

Prince Albert 3-12-9-0-24.

Power Play Opportunities-

Victoria 2 / 4;

Prince Albert 0 / 2.

Goalies-

Victoria, Vollrath 8-5-0-1 (24 shots-22 saves).

Prince Albert, Parenteau 6-1-1-1 (49 shots-46 saves).

A-2,331
Referees-Jason Bourdon (20), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Troy Semenchuk (65), Bob Schrader (126).

Recap: LETH 4 - VIC 3 SOL

The Victoria Royals picked up a point in a 4-3 shoot out loss to the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes Tuesday night.

‘I can’t fault the effort of our guys, especially after the travel and road trip we were on…” said Royals Head Coach Dave Lowry,

‘We were close to winning a hockey game, we’ll take the point and we’ll have a couple days to ride the bus again – and get ready for another tough test.”

Royals forward Dante Hannoun’s second of the night in the final minute of the middle frame tied the game at three, and eventually forced the shoot out.

The Hurricanes Babenko and Wong scored the only two goals of the skills competition to earn their 7^th win in a row.  Wong also scored in regulation, while their remaining goals were notched by Brayden Burke and Ryley Lindgren.  

Victoria got a pair of assists from Matthew Phillips, while Vladimir Bobylev provided the other goal for the Royals who have now picked up 3 points over their last two games.

Lethbridge was 2 for 3 on the power play, while the Victoria was 0 for 3.

Coleman Vollrath turned aside 22 shots, while former Royal Jayden Sittler played the first two periods allowing 3 goals on 18 shots, before making way for Stuart Skinner who stopped 15 in the third.  He then turned away Jack Walker and Matthew Phillips in the shoot out.

Victoria heads back out on the road for a six-game swing starting in Prince Albert, SK to battle the Raiders on Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

- Marlon Martens

Lethbridge Hurricanes 4 (SO) at Victoria Royals 3 - Status: Final SO
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Lethbridge 2 1 0 0 - 4
Victoria 2 1 0 0 - 3

1st Period-

1, Lethbridge, Burke 4 (Atwal, Estephan), 0:37.

2, Victoria, Hannoun 5 (Forsberg, Phillips), 7:48.

3, Lethbridge, Wong 13 (Lindgren, Nielsen), 11:14 (PP).

4, Victoria, Bobylev 6 (Ibragimov, Nagy), 12:04.

Penalties-Nielsen Let (tripping), 8:53; Fisher Vic (hooking), 9:31.

2nd Period-

5, Lethbridge, Lindgren 6 (Estephan, Burke), 13:21 (PP).

6, Victoria, Hannoun 6 (Phillips, Fisher), 19:22.

Penalties-Merezhko Let (hooking), 7:46; Nagy Vic (high sticking), 12:03; Atwal Let (major-fighting), 14:53; Forsberg Vic (major-fighting), 14:53.

3rd Period-

No Scoring.

Penalties-Forsberg Vic (tripping), 9:15; Babenko Let (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 11:23; Gutierrez Let (slashing), 11:23; Ibragimov Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 11:23.

OT Period-

No Scoring.

Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout –

Lethbridge 2 (Babenko G, Wong G),

Victoria 0 (Walker NG, Phillips NG).

Shots on Goal-

Lethbridge 8-9-7-1-1-26.

Victoria 9-9-15-3-0-36.

Power Play Opportunities-

Lethbridge 2 / 3;

Victoria 0 / 3.

Goalies-

Lethbridge, Sittler 5-1-0-0 (18 shots-15 saves); Skinner 4-1-0-0 (18 shots-18 saves). Victoria, Vollrath 7-5-0-1 (25 shots-22 saves).

A-3,517
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Nick Swaine (35).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76).

Recap: VIC 3 - SPK 0

Griffen Outhouse made 24 saves to earn a shutout in his first WHL start, as the visiting Victoria Royals (8-5) blanked the Spokane Chiefs 3-0 Saturday night.

The Royals snapped a 4 game losing skid, earning a split of the two game set against the Chiefs after falling 2-1 one night earlier.

“The urgency that we started the game…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry when asked what impressed him most about the victory,

 “We got to work and had 20 guys that played the game the right way tonight.”

17 year old Matthew Phillips and veteran Jack Walker had a goal and an assist each, while 16 year old Ryan Peckford added a single.

Victoria jumped to a 2-0 lead early in the first, before Peckford gave the Royals some breathing room in the third.

Outhouse is the 2nd netminder in franchise history to record a shutout in his 1^st WHL start joining Chilliwack Bruin, Braden Gamble (2009-10).

“It was pretty fun,” said Outhouse, “the guys played really well in front of me, made it easy…it was an overwhelming experience.”

Tyson Verhelst suffered his first loss in 3 starts against Victoria, allowing 2 goals on 26 shots.

The Royals were 1 for 5 on the power play, while shutting down all 4 Chiefs man advantages.

Victoria wraps up their 4 game road trip with a 1-3 record with the other losses coming in Seattle 4-2 last Saturday, and 3-2 in Kamloops Wednesday.

Up next they return home to entertain the Lethbridge Hurricanes before heading out on a 6 game Eastern road swing.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 2 at Spokane Chiefs 0 - Status: End of Game
Saturday, October 24, 2015 - Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

Victoria 2 0 0 - 2
Spokane 0 0 0 - 0

1st Period-

1, Victoria, Phillips 4 (Hannoun), 1:59.

2, Victoria, Walker 3 (Hicketts, Phillips), 6:27 (PP).

Penalties-served by Cardiff Spo (too many men), 6:06; Whittingham Spo (slashing), 9:18; Walker Vic (holding), 13:18; Fiala Spo (interference), 16:41; Bobylev Vic (hooking), 18:10.

2nd Period-

No Scoring.

Penalties-Thompson Vic (too many men), 5:30; Bechtold Spo (high sticking), 6:25; Whittingham Spo (checking to the head), 9:43; Soy Vic (slashing), 10:08.

3rd Period-

No Scoring.

Penalties-Reddekopp Vic (hooking), 1:11; Reddekopp Vic (major-fighting), 4:04; Fiala Spo (major-fighting), 4:04; Whittingham Spo (high sticking), 19:28.

Shots on Goal-

Victoria 11-7-8-26.

Spokane 5-12-7-24.

Power Play Opportunities-

Victoria 1 / 5;

Spokane 0 / 4.

Goalies-

Victoria, Outhouse 1-0-0-0 (24 shots-24 saves).

Spokane, Verhelst 4-4-0-1 (26 shots-24 saves).

A-5,812
Referees-Fraser Lawrence (10), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Jeremi Del Campo (44), Jason Michelbook (112).

Recap: VIC 1 - SPK 2

Victoria warms up against Spokane

Kailer Yamamoto scored the eventual game winner on the power play early in the third to give the Spokane Chiefs a 2-1 victory over the visiting Victoria Royals (7-5) Friday night in the beginning of back to back meetings.

The Chiefs (4-5-1-1) snapped a winless in 6 drought, while handing the Royals their 4^th loss in a row.

“Discipline, we took to many penalties…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry when asked about the difference in the game,

“…and when you’re not scoring, obviously we’re taking our frustration out – and taking it out the wrong way.”

Spokane native Keanu Yamamoto had a goal and an assist, while Jared Dmytriw scored the lone goal for Victoria with just :37 seconds left in the middle frame. 

Tyler Soy stripped the puck from the netminder behind the goal to feed Dmytriw, who put the puck into an unguarded net.

Spokane netminder Tyson Verhelst was the games first star, making 31 saves on 32 Royals shots. 

“In the two games we’ve faced Verhelst, he’s been the difference maker in both games.” Said Lowry,

“I thought we generated enough chances offensively…but when your team isn’t scoring goals you have to find a way to defend.”

Keanu Yamamoto was star number 2, while Coleman Vollrath the third star, kicking out 35 shots.

“It was a very tight game…they did a better job of getting traffic in front of our net, getting more shots than us, and discipline also made a difference…” said Vollrath, who has started every game this season for the club as their record dips to 7-5.

Victoria went 0 for 6 on the power play, however the last two opportunities came in the final 15 seconds of the game.

“I thought the power play had some better looks, and generated a little bit more opportunity than we’ve had in the past, but you take 6 penalties – it takes a lot of guys out of the flow of game.” Said Lowry.

The Royals number 1 ranked penalty kill, surrendered a single goal on 6 Chiefs man advantages.

Spokane leads the season series 2 games to 1, after a split on the Island earlier in the month.

Royals forward Tyler Thompson played in his first WHL game.

Victoria will look to even the series Saturday night in Spokane as they wrap up a 4 game road trip.

“Discipline, and make sure our preparation is the same…,” said Lowry when asked what will be key in the rubber match,

“We did a lot of good things and we still have to work to get to areas to score goals, but we have to make sure we defend better, and manage the game through the neutral zone a lot better.”

Pregame show on The Zone @ 91.3fm at 6:40, puck drop at 7pm.

- Marlon Martens.

Victoria Royals 1 at Spokane Chiefs 2 - Status: Final
Friday, October 23, 2015 - Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

Victoria 0 1 0 - 1
Spokane 0 1 1 - 2

1st Period-

No Scoring.

Penalties-Forsberg Vic (slashing), 3:37; Forsberg Vic (boarding), 7:42; Bechtold Spo (boarding), 9:08; Fisher Vic (cross checking), 14:58; Pachal Vic (interference), 14:58; McIndoe Spo (cross checking), 14:58.

2nd Period-

1, Spokane, Ke. Yamamoto 3 (Sozanski, Toporowski), 17:37.

2, Victoria, Dmytriw 2 (Soy), 19:23.

Penalties-Forsberg Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 9:24; Cardiff Spo (roughing), 9:24; Harrison Spo (tripping), 11:41; Bechtold Spo (high sticking), 19:51.

3rd Period-

3, Spokane, Ka. Yamamoto 2 (Ke. Yamamoto, Bechtold), 2:22 (PP).

Penalties-Reddekopp Vic (roughing), 1:16; Bechtold Spo (holding), 1:16; Zwerger Spo (hooking), 7:00; Gagnon Vic (hooking), 10:08; Walker Vic (slashing), 12:43; Helgesen Spo (hooking), 19:45; Bechtold Spo (closing hand on puck), 19:57; Reddekopp Vic (roughing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-

Victoria 11-9-12-32.

Spokane 12-12-13-37.

Power Play Opportunities-

Victoria 0 / 6;

Spokane 1 / 6.

Goalies-

Victoria, Vollrath 7-5-0-0 (37 shots-35 saves).

Spokane, Verhelst 4-3-0-1 (32 shots-31 saves).
A-4,229
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Mike Langin (67).
Linesmen-Jeremi Del Campo (44), Jason Michelbook (112).

Recap: VIC 2 - KAM 3

ROYALS EDGED BY BLAZERS

Victoria drops 3-2 decision to Kamloops.

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, October 21, 2015                                                                    

Kamloops, BC- The Victoria Royals fell to the Kamloops Blazers 3-2 when they surrendered a late third period goal on Wednesday night at the Sandman Centre.

The Blazers’ Collin Shirley scored the game winning goal, his second of the night, with 32 seconds remaining in the contest. The Royals’ Vladimir Bobylev, fifth goal of the season, and Dante Hannoun (4) notched the goals for Victoria. Kamloops’ other marker was scored by Matt Needham.

Victoria netminder Coleman Vollrath stopped 31 of the 34 shots fired at him, while Kamloops’ goaltender Connor Ingram turned aside 27 of the 29 shots he faced.

Neither team was able to capitalize on the man-advantage. The Royals went 0/2=0.0%, while the Blazers went 0/4=0.0%.

The Royals will head to Spokane for a two-game set against the Chiefs on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop for both games is slated for 7:05 p.m.

Victoria returns home on Tuesday, October 27^th against the Lethbridge Hurricanes for Winter Driving Awareness Night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The Royals are five years strong, and are celebrating with a Five Game Fan Pack that highlights four big nights on the 2015-16 schedule, plus a game of your choice.  Starting at just $60, the ticket pack guarantees your seat to Turn Back the Clock Night, Teddy Bear Toss, Pink in the Rink, Fan Appreciation Night and a game that you choose. These ticket packs also includes a Royals hat, puck, and team program. Pick your seats today by calling 250-220-7889 or emailing tickets@victoriaroyals.com    

HICKETTS: Named to Team WHL

ROYALS’ JOE HICKETTS NAMED TO TEAM WHL ROSTER FOR 2015 CHL CANADA RUSSIA SERIES

Victoria defender earns second consecutive nod to Team WHL.

For Immediate Release

Monday, October 19, 2015

Victoria, BC- The Victoria Royals would like to congratulate defenceman Joe Hicketts on being named to Team WHL’s roster for the upcoming CHL Canada Russia Series.

Hicketts’ appointment to Team WHL comes after recording 10 points (10a) in 10 games so far this season for Victoria.

Last year, Hicketts skated in two games for Team WHL and registered one goal and one assist versus Team Russia. The native of Kamloops, BC registered a career season in 2014-15 which saw him lead the Western Conference in scoring for defencemen and finish second in the WHL with 64 points (12g-52a) in 62 games played.

Drafted by the Royals in the first round, 12^th overall, in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft as the club’s first ever draft pick, Hicketts has notched 122 points (24g-98a) over 176 games with Victoria.

For the second consecutive year Hicketts will be joined by Royals’ Head Coach Dave Lowry, who will once again be the bench boss for Team WHL. Lowry will also serve as head coach for Team Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships.

Hicketts is the fifth player from the Royals’ franchise to play in the CHL Canada Russia Series and the first to play in it twice. Forward Steven Hodges played for Team WHL in 2012, while forwards Kevin Sundher, Ryan Howse and Mark Santorelli competed at the event in 2011, 2010 and 2007, respectively.

The CHL Canada Russia Series features regional teams of CHL All-Stars competing against Team Russia in a six-game event serving as an integral part of the identification process for Team Canada prior to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. The WHL hosts the first two games of the six-game series with the middle leg hosted by the OHL and the final two games played in the QMJHL.

Team WHL faces Team Russia for the first two games of the 2015 CHL Canada Russia Series. Kelowna will kick-off the series on Monday, November 9^th while Kamloops will welcome the WHL All-Stars and Team Russia for the second game on Tuesday, November 10^th. The 2015 Canada Russia Series is will be broadcast nationally in its entirety live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

The schedule for the 2015 Canada Russia Series is as follows:

Game 1 – Monday, November 9^th at Kelowna, BC
Game 2 – Tuesday, November 10^th at Kamloops, BC
Game 3 – Thursday, November 12^th at Owen Sound, ON
Game 4 – Monday, November 16^th at Windsor, ON
Game 5 – Tuesday, November 17^th at Rouyn-Noranda, QC
Game 6 – Thursday, November 19^th at Halifax, NS

The Royals will head to Kamloops for a match-up vs. the Blazers on Wednesday with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Royals will then travel to Spokane to face the Chiefs on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop for both games is slated for 7:05 p.m.

Victoria returns home on Tuesday, October 27^th against the Lethbridge Hurricanes for Winter Driving Awareness Night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Group together and save big. Royals’ games are an exciting and fun way to enjoy a night out with family, friends, co-workers or teammates. Ticket packages start at $12 per ticket for groups of 10 or more and include a mention on the Jumbotron at the game. Ask about packaging a ticket with a Royals hat, or upgrading your seats to the club section. For more details call 250-220-7889 or visit tickets@victoriaroyals.com.