The Victoria Royals remain three points out a playoff spot after splitting two home games against the Portland Winterhawks this week.

That makes this weekendB次元官网网址檚 Western Hockey League road trip to Prince George even more important, as the Cougars are one of the teams the Royals are trying to catch B次元官网网址� Spokane is the other B次元官网网址� for the final Western Conference playoff position. Both teams have games in hand on Victoria, which enters the weekend banged up but motivated to gain ground on the Cougars and Chiefs.

On Wednesday at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre the Royals (16-33-5-1) fell 5-2 to Portland, powered on the attack by forward Cross Hanas, who scored two goals and added two assists.

Victoria goaltender Tyler Palmer had a busy two periods, stopping 35 of 38 shots in replacing starter Campbell Arnold, who left the game injured after the opening frame. Arnold wasnB次元官网网址檛 alone, as Wyatt Wilson and Bailey Peach also had to leave the game.

Despite the loss and injuries, there was one upside B次元官网网址� Royals forward Marcus Almquist picked up his first career WHL goal.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a dream come true,B次元官网网址� said the 2004-born Almquist. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been waiting a while for my first one, it feels good. IB次元官网网址檝e been feeling it coming for a long time now and hopefully IB次元官网网址檒l get more and keep it going.B次元官网网址�

While Portland is well ahead in the standings B次元官网网址� they sit third in the west with 79 points B次元官网网址� Victoria, 5-3 winners on Tuesday night, captured the season series two wins to one.

Tarun Fizer beat Hanas to the punch when it came to four-point games, scoring his teamB次元官网网址檚 first and last goals and adding two helpers in the win.

B次元官网网址淗e instills such confidence in the group,B次元官网网址� head coach Dan Price said of the Royals captain. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 so well prepared, a tremendous teammate and cares about everyone. ItB次元官网网址檚 not just the points, itB次元官网网址檚 the shot-blocking, the faceoffs, tracking back to help our goalie, all those gritty things that also contribute.B次元官网网址�

Palmer turned away 47 Winterhawk shots for the victory, none more important than when he came sliding across the crease to make a windmill glove save with under two minutes to play and his team clinging to a 4-3 lead B次元官网网址� robbing Portland of the tying goal.

Tyler Palmer made 47 saves tonight, but you can catch this one on the highlight reels tomorrow 馃く

B次元官网网址� Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals)

READ: