Victoria climbed out of the Western Hockey LeagueB次元官网网址檚 basement on Friday as a 5-4 win over Seattle gave the now-rolling Royals its third overtime victory in four games.
It was a rough start to the season for Victoria, as the local club only had one win after the first two months of play. But then the team didnB次元官网网址檛 play a game for two weeks in November as COVID-19-positive opponents and last monthB次元官网网址檚 floods caused an unexpected break in their schedule.
After the fortnight off, the Royals have risen anew B次元官网网址� winning four of the last five and taking down three of the western conferenceB次元官网网址檚 top four teams in the process.
The Seattle Thunderbirds had a 1-0 lead at home after the first period on Friday. After each team added a goal early in the second, the Royals would get a five-minute powerplay midway through the period. Bailey Peach tied the game on the man advantage when he grabbed a rebound and, as he spun back toward the net, shot it past the Seattle netminder. The Thunderbirds then regained the lead while still shorthanded from the major penalty.
A Keanu Derungs one-timer tied it late in the second and after both teams scored in the third, the Royals were off to their fourth-straight overtime game.
With two minutes left in OT, Peach brought the puck into the offensive zone but couldnB次元官网网址檛 stickhandle around two Seattle defenders. The puck, however, popped out back to the slot, where a trailing Gannon Laroque pulled it into his body before putting a snapshot past the goalieB次元官网网址檚 blocker side for the win.
The game was another tough test for Victoria, said head coach Dan Price, noting how his players trailed Seattle early and late.
B次元官网网址淭hey stuck with the process and rose to the challenge and the entire depth of the lineup contributed,B次元官网网址� Price said. B次元官网网址淭he coaches are very proud of the playersB次元官网网址� effort, consistency and resilience.
Victoria continues its road trip on Saturday with a matchup against the Winterhawks in Portland. Puck drop is at 6 p.m.
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