Ben Walker is on the verge of returning to the Victoria Royals.

As of Tuesday the concussed forwardB次元官网网址檚 symptoms had diminshed. If they held off through to today (Jan. 25), then heB次元官网网址檒l likely be back with the team for tonightB次元官网网址檚 and tomorrowB次元官网网址檚 games versus the Vancouver Giants at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

Walker hasnB次元官网网址檛 played with the Royals since Jan. 2 when he suffered the injury against the Kelowna Rockets.

In that time the Royals have turned their fortunes around and are 6-3, chasing down fourth spot in the Western Conference. That includes a five-game win streak, three of which came against division rival Kamloops Blazers. The Royals have also won without Logan Nelson, who's been out since Dec. 28, and Jamie Crooks, who has been injured since Jan. 15, missing the past three.

B次元官网网址淭he first couple games I missed (in early January) there was a couple of bad losses, so I was a little worried about the guys," Walker said. "Then they started winning so I thought 'oh, well, guess they donB次元官网网址檛 need me to win.' But itB次元官网网址檚 nice to see them playing really well and hopefully they keep it up.B次元官网网址�

Make no bones about it, Walker is anxious to get back in the game. He's been back in practice, but is tired of wearing the yellow non-contact jersey, same as Crooks.

Even with the Royals current win streak, no one has climbed closer to WalkerB次元官网网址檚 team leading plus-minus of plus-20. The next closest are captain Tyler Stahl and assistant captain Brandon Magee at plus-seven.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always been my number one stat, more important than points and the one that I look at first after every game,B次元官网网址� Walker said.

B次元官网网址淚f I end the night in the minus column, even if I get three points, itB次元官网网址檚 a bad night for me. If I get scored on it  just kills me. I want to get five back.B次元官网网址�

Last year Walker ended up a plus-2 despite the teamB次元官网网址檚 struggles. He was the only player to finish with a positive, with some as low as -40.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really every part of the ice IB次元官网网址檓 in. Since bantam, I had a coach who said defence creates offence. This is a game you have to play in all three zones because this league is full of guys who can score on you.B次元官网网址�

Before his injury Walker was on a line with Alex Gogolev and Austin Carroll. With GogolevB次元官网网址檚 recent splurge in points, 12 in his past four games, that spot might be hard to come by.

This week Gogolev was named the CHL player of the week. Steven Hodges also could have won that award, connecting for eight goals through some magic chemistry with Gogolev.

Pink in the Rink

Saturday (Jan. 26) is the annual Pink in the Rink fundraiser for breast cancer at Memorial Centre.

It wonB次元官网网址檛 be the first time Brandon Magee wears a pink Royals sweater but it means a lot more to him this time around.

B次元官网网址淢y aunt was diagnosed in the summer, and sheB次元官网网址檚 been going through it, so it touches home and you realize how serious it is,B次元官网网址� Magee said.

B次元官网网址淚t should be a fun night, hopefully we raise a lot through jersey auctions.B次元官网网址�

The Giants were last here on Dec. 5 and the results was one-sided, a 7-2 win for the visitors.

B次元官网网址淭hey came in and beat us pretty good, so it would be great to redeem ourselves this weekend and make it a seven-game win streak,B次元官网网址� Magee said.

sports@vicnews.com