Eight home games, and six different opponents! Given the back-to-back nature of WHL scheduling, the month of February will offer more variety in opposition than usual.
Every Friday in February sees a Royals home game, as well as the final three Saturdays.
Check out the Royals as they gear up for the home stretch in March!
Victoria Royals vs. Medicine Hat Tigers
- Why: Come check out the Royals play their final match against the Central Division’s top team. Their first encounter saw the Royals lose a 3-1 third period lead, and you can bet they’ll be coming out full force to ensure they claim two points this time around. Tigers’ forward Tyler Presuzio hails from Victoria and will be looking to upset his hometown team.
- When: Friday, February 2nd
- Puck drop: 7:05pm
- Head-to-head: 4-3 overtime loss at Medicine Hat
Victoria Royals vs. Kelowna Rockets
- Why: The Kelowna Rockets have usurped the Royals as the cream of the B.C. Division thus far, and their NHL draft record shows it. They’ve had a prospect selected in the first round of the NHL draft in each of the past three seasons, and boast NHL drafted talent such as Kole Lind, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Carson Twarynsky. Nolan Foote, the younger brother of Cal, is projected to be a top-10 selection in the 2019 NHL entry draft.
- When: Friday, February 9th
- Puck drop: 7:05pm
- Head-to-head: 2-2-0-1
Victoria Royals vs. Kelowna Rockets
- Why: The second of a back-to-back set will give Vancouver Canucks fans time to appreciate 2017 2nd round draft choice Kole Lind, who has been lighting up the WHL since he was cut from Team Canada’s World Junior Camp. At the time of writing he’s currently on a 16 game point streak where he’s accumulated 32 points. With the Royals five points behind the Rockets at the time of writing, every matchup between the two teams will be crucial in the B.C. Division standings.
- When: Saturday, February 10th
- Puck drop: 7:05pm
- Head-to-head: 2-2-0-1
Victoria Royals vs. Edmonton Oil Kings
- Why: The third and final matchup between these two teams should be close – despite the Oil Kings paltry 13-27-5-2 record. Both games between the two teams have been decided by one goal, with Matthew Phillips recording a goal and three assists in the contests.
- When: Wednesday, February 14th
- Puck drop: 7:05pm
- Head-to-head: 2-0-0-0
Victoria Royals vs. Red Deer Rebels
- Why: The second of two meetings between these teams will see winger Lane Zablocki face off against his former team since becoming a Royal on January 10th. Red Deer has completely bottomed out this year, posting an 11-25-8-3 record and are last in the league at the time of writing.
- When: Friday, February 16th
- Puck drop: 7:05pm
- Head-to-head: 5-3 loss in Victoria
Victoria Royals vs. Vancouver Giants
- Why: The Giants have been the basement of the B.C. Division over the past few years, but apparently have made strides in their rebuild, sitting a single point behind the Royals at the time of writing. As usual, Giants stars Ty Ronning and Tyler Benson will be out to wreak havoc against the Royals defense.
- When: Saturday, February, 17th
- Puck drop: 7:05pm
- Head-to-head: 5-3-0-0
Victoria Royals vs. Portland Winterhawks
- Why: The Portland Winterhawks had a crop of players NHL scouts seemed to delight in, with 4 players being selected in the 2017 NHL draft. All four of those players are on the roster this year, including 6th overall pick Cody Glass, who went to the Vegas Golden Knights. Defender Henri Jokiharju went 17th overall to Chicago, defenseman Brendan de Jong went 166th to Carolina, and winger Skyler McKenzie went 198th to Winnipeg.
- When: Friday, February 23rd
- Puck drop: 7:05pm
- Head-to-head: 4-2 win at Portland
Victoria Royals vs. Portland Winterhawks
- Why: Speaking of Brendan de Jong, the NHL drafted defender is from Victoria and played his bantam hockey with the Juan de Fuca Grizzlies. You can come support a local player chasing his NHL dreams, while making it absolutely clear you hope the Royals completely dismantle his Winterhawks.
- When: Saturday, February 24th
- Puck drop: 7:05pm
- Head-to-head: 4-2 win at Portland
