Vancouver Giants eliminate Victoria Royals from WHL playoffs in second round

In a do-or-die game 4 tonight, the Vancouver Giants took the win over the Victoria Royals, solidifying the series at 4-0 moving and onto the third round. The final score of tonight’s game was 6-1 for the Giants, the Royals’ season coming to an end.

The overtime loss on Tuesday had netminder Griffen Outhouse stopping an incredible 52 of 57 shots – the third time in his postseason career that he has faced 45 shots or more in a single game. The Likely, BC native had a .922 save percentage as well as a 2.94 goals against average in those contests.

See also:

• 7 things to know about the Royals versus Giants second round playoff match-up
• Victoria Royals fall 3-0 in the series after Giants’ overtime win tonight

Speaking of said goaltender, Outhouse opened up the first period with a mind-blowing flurry of saves at the 6-minute mark – 5 in 30 seconds, to be exact! Despite this, Vancouver was able to earn the first spot on the scoreboard with a goal by Lukas Svejkovsky. Giants’ Byram and Hines also earned themselves a goal a piece, ending the first 20 with a score of 3-0 for the visitors.

Though the second period began with a Royals’ powerplay, they weren’t able to capitalize on the man advantage, and the Giants’ Hardy drew blood with the 4th goal midway through. Not long after, Victoria got their name on the board with a goal by D-Jay Jerome. The score remained 4-1 after 40 minutes.

Another Giants’ goal opened the third, Watts banking it in on a pass from Dmytriw and making it 5-1 for Vancouver. After a slashing penalty for Royals’ Martynov, the Giants were able to score with the extra man, Dmytriw earning himself another point.

The Royals fell 6-1 as a final score, losing the second round series to the Giants 4-0 and being eliminated from the playoffs.

With the crowd of 4,718 standing to their feet, chants of “We love Outhouse!” rang from the seats of Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre as the veteran goaltender raised his stick to the fans of Victoria for the very last time.

An emotional farewell to the entire Victoria team took place on ice following the game, three players in particular saying their heartfelt goodbyes – it was the final season on the Royals for Ralph Jarratt, Kody McDonald, and goaltender Griffen Outhouse.

Here’s to a roaring next season, Royals fans!