Victoria Royals fall 3-0 in the series after Giants’ overtime win tonight

With a Victoria Royals team that saw many scratches tonight, the club knew they’d have to put their best foot forward in an integral game 3 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre – unfortunately, the valiant effort was not enough, and they fell 5-4 to the visiting Giants.

This is the second time in so many years that the Royals have faced the Giants in the post-season – last year in the 2018 playoff run, Vancouver and Victoria went head-to-head, the teams going the distance to game 7 and the Royals taking the win.

Though a jarring hit from Victoria’s Walford against Vancouver’s Nielsen opened up the first period, it was the Giants who drew first blood. Only 2:32 into the game, Dmytriw made it onto the scoreboard, with the Giants already up 5-0 in shots against the home team. Midway through the first 20, the Royals bit back with a goal by Gulka, his second of the playoffs so far. Victoria’s Igor Martynov earned the club one more, the first finishing up with a score of 2-1 for the Royals.

The captain! Leading by example, Jared Dmytriw puts the @WHLGiants up 1-0 early. #VANvsVIC | #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/P8ReCPSouu

— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 10, 2019

The Giants were able to get one up on the Royals during a powerplay for their team to start off the second, Vancouver’s Roman earning the tying goal assisted by some stellar moves by NHL Draft prospect Bowen Byram. At 13:06 of the period, Mitchell Prowse took the lead for the Royals and made it 3-2, his first goal of the playoffs.

Can we give #NHLDraft prospect Bowen Byram two assists on this play? #VANvsVIC | #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/hX6EWGIsXA

— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 10, 2019

With the ice still fresh for period three, Giants’ Hardy ties it up a mere 14 seconds in. Immediately after a powerplay for Victoria expired, Carson Miller was able to hammer it in, making it 4-3 for the home team. With only 4:20 left in the final period, the Giants were able to even the score once more with a goal by Leipert.

For a second straight game, we're off to OT… 4-4 game through 60 minutes.

— xy – Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) April 10, 2019

For the second game in a row, the score was to be settled in overtime. Vancouver Giants’ Hardy was able to secure the win for the visiting team, making it 5-4 and moving the Giants forward to 3-0 in the series.

Victoria’s Griffen Outhouse made an incredible 52 saves in total tonight, the final shots being 57-20, with the Giants on top.

The Royals will return back home for game 4 of the series on Tuesday, April 11th.

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

We will face the Vancouver Giants in Round 2 of the #WHLPlayoffs beginning with Game 1 this Fri in Langley! We will host Games 3 & 4 on Tues, Apr 9th & Thurs, Apr 11th! Tickets on sale Wed morning to general public!

Read: https://t.co/Tu4moU7qDo pic.twitter.com/1FywjnZ4yD

— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) April 2, 2019

Victoria Royals

• When:
  • Thursday, April 11th 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