7 things to know about the Royals versus Giants second round playoff match-up

When you think about the rivalry between the Victoria Royals and Vancouver Giants, last seasons seven-game standoff in the playoffs immediately jumps to mind – and for good reason!

Though the two clubs met with a force of fury in their last playoff matchup, the 2018-19 regular season was nothing to balk at, either. Overall, six of the games in the season series were settled by a single goal, with the final two games settled in a shootout and overtime!

See also:

• Victoria Royals knock off Kamloops Blazers to advance to second round of the playoffs
• WHL announces Victoria Royals’ Kody McDonald suspended indefinitely

This week, Victoria and Vancouver will meet up once more, and the stakes are just as high as last year – with plenty of grit, emotion and high-scoring games, this series will not be one you want to miss out on!

Here are 7 things you should know before we head into what will no doubt be a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat series between the Victoria Royals and Vancouver Giants:

1. The Giants ultimately had a better regular season record – but barely!

In the 2018-19 season that saw plenty of wins stacked up by both teams respectively, the Giants’ final tally for the regular season came up at 6-2-1-1 – but the Royals were right on their heels with a 4-4-2-0 record!

2. The goaltending match-up is going to be out of this world

It’s no secret that Victoria’s Griffen Outhouse is a legend in his own right – the 20-year old posted all four of the wins against Vancouver while maintaining a 2.50 goals against average, and a .925 save percentage. It was the Giants’ Tendeck who was in net for the majority of the regular-season series, sporting a 4-1-1-0 record, 1.80 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage, and a shutout.

3. Giants’ forward is winning himself some recognition

Vancouver’s Davis Koch led all players with 14 points (3 goals, 11 assists) in 10 games and earned himself the title of WHL McSweeney’s Player of the Month for March this past Monday. The White Rock native followed up his red-hot end to the regular season with a goal and nine assists in six first-round playoff games against the Seattle Thunderbirds over the past week and a half.

4. Vancouver gains home-ice advantage due to their division ranking

The Royals defeated the Kamloops Blazers 4-2 in the first round of the WHL Playoffs and are the second seed in the BC Division. Meanwhile, the Giants finished as the top team in the Western Conference and BC Division and will have home ice advantage in the series as a result. Vancouver won their first round best-of-seven series vs. the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2.

5. Victoria’s got some offensive defense 

Montreal Canadians draft pick Scott Walford had five points in the season series against the Giants, a combination of one goal and four assists! The offensively-minded defenceman finished in a three-way tie for second in scoring on his team.

6. The NHL has their eye on Giants’ Bowen Byram

It’s not every day that you get to watch an NHL Draft prospect hit the ice, and the focus has been on Vancouver Giant’s Bowen Byram as of late. He was one of three Giants to finish tied for second in the season series with eight points, and there have even been rumours that Vancouver Canucks’ scouts have their eye on him – so much potential!

7. You can watch their first game at Victoria’s Shark Club

Since the first two games of the second-round series will be in Vancouver’s house, the option of watching the action from a local haunt is the next best thing! You’ll be able to catch the series’ first game live at the Shark Club at 2852 Douglas Street on Friday, April 5th at 7:30 p.m. You can also stream the game live on the WHL website!

You can check out the schedule for the rest of the series below!

Victoria Royals

• When:
  • Tuesday, April 9th at 7:05 p.m. – Vancouver Giants vs. Victoria Royals (next home game)
•  Where: Save On Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
• Tickets: Playoff tickets can be purchased in-person or online