Giants further lead in series with 2-1 overtime win against Royals

The scintillating series between Victoria and Vancouver continued this evening, with the Giants taking the win over the Royals with a final score of 2-1. The second round series between the two clubs is now at 2-0 for the Giants.

As of tonight’s game, Royals’ defenceman Ralph Jarratt tied Tyler Soy for the most playoff games played in franchise history – with an impressive 45! Jarratt has acquired nine playoff points – including 2 goals and 7 assists – and has played in four consecutive postseason campaigns (2015-2019) with Victoria. The Fort St. John native was a second-round draft pick in 2013, being selected by the Royals at 37th overall.

The Vancouver Giants and Victoria Royals stepped onto the ice ready to renew their rivalry for a second night in a row tonight, but not before taking a moment to remember the Humboldt Broncos, as today marked one year since the fatal bus crash that claimed the lives of 16 young players and coaches.

Though the score remained zero through the first 20 minutes, there was plenty of emotion on ice as each team took their turn on the powerplay, the Royals and Giants rounding out the opening period with some 4-on-4 play in the last 3 minutes. In this time, Vancouver dominated in shots with 9-2 over the visiting Royals.

See also:

• Vancouver Giants take the lead against Victoria Royals in first game of second round series
• 7 things to know about the Royals versus Giants second round playoff match-up

A very spirited second period saw a lot more intensity between both teams, Royals’ Kustra getting into a kerfuffle following a cross-check on Giants’ Dmytriw. The Victoria defenceman earned himself not only a 5-minute major penalty, but was also tossed from the game after being awarded a game misconduct on the play. Vancouver was able to capitalize on the man-advantage 3 minutes into the major, Svejkovsky getting the Giants on the board with 1-0.

Though Victoria’s Outhouse had to flash the leather in some show-stopping saves, it was the Royals who earned their first and only goal in regulation in the third period. On the powerplay, Ralph Jarratt banked it in after the puck bounced off some Giants players, making the score tied at 1-1.

Despite the jump that the Royals had in the third, the home team was able to score in overtime, Giants’ Nielsen making it a final score of 2-1. Victoria’s Griffen Outhouse was awarded first star of the game with an incredible 37 saves tonight.

The Royals will return back home for game 3 of the series, next Tuesday, April 9th.

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