Friday, March 29, 2024

Victoria Royals clinch playoff berth for 6th consecutive season

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Victoria twice proved it’s flair for the dramatic this weekend, erasing 3-1 deficits in consecutive games against the Spokane Chiefs.

Both games were physical and high scoring, and both games suggested a hint of what’s around the corner.

It’s almost playoff time baby.

Here are some things to keep you in the loop:

Have you heard of Matthew Phillips yet?

If you haven’t, I’ll tell you all you need to know: he’s 5’6, crashes the net like he’s 6’7”, and oh right, he happened to score both game-winning goals this weekend. The first game he scored the winner with just 6 minutes remaining, capping off a 1 goal and 2 assist performance. On Saturday he scored 2 goals and assist, including the winner in overtime.

This kid’s an NHL draft pick for a reason, and his 46 goals on the year have him 2nd in the entire league for goals. Kids of this talent don’t just pop up out of nowhere.

Phillips turns 19 in April, which means he has at most 1 more full season with us. He’s worth the price of admission alone; come appreciate the best goal scorer the Royals have ever had.

Victoria is playoff bound!

And what a way to clinch it. Dramatic come from behind victories shows this team won’t quit, and both games had an intensity about it that got the crowd oooh’ing and aahh’ing at every moment

This marks the 6th consecutive season the Royals have made the playoffs, and they’ll be looking to avenge last year’s devastating conclusion against Kelowna. If they can surpass Tri-City and Kamloops in the standings, they’d have a shot at a first round Kelowna-Victoria rematch.

Road trip, last home game, playoffs!

Our Royals are heading on a 5 game road trip that features two games apiece against division rivals Kamloops and Kelowna. ‘Loops has a 3 point lead over Vic, and Kelowna has a 6 point cushion. Big results on this road trip would have serious impacts on Victoria’s potential playoff matchups.After

After the road trip, they host one last game against Everett on Friday, March 17th, hop over the pond for an away rematch the following day, and then playoff hockey is upon is.

I can taste the nachos already.

Jeremy Weeres
Jeremy Weeres
Victoria Royals and hockey writer at Victoria Buzz

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