The Victoria Royals are back on home ice this weekend, and everything is lining up for one of the most exciting stretches of the season in Victoria.
With the WHL trade deadline hours away and no moves made as of 3 p.m., barring any roster moves, the Royals have made it clear they are backing the group already in their room.
Now, with just hours remaining before rosters are frozen, the focus shifts fully to the ice as the Royals prepare for a high-energy back-to-back games against the Spokane Chiefs.
While no trades have been made as of yet, the Royals did sign defenceman Owen McCarthy to a WHL Scholarship and Development agreement.
The Chicago-born blue-liner joins the Royals after spending the season in the BCHL with the Trail Smoke Eaters, where he appeared in 62 games and continued to develop his two-way game. McCarthy is no stranger to the organization, having originally been selected by Victoria 69th overall in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.
After picking up two points in a weekend series against the Tri-City Americans, the homestand continues at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, where the Royals will look to keep the momentum rolling in front of a packed crowd.
Friday night’s matchup on January 9th gets underway at 7:05 p.m., setting the stage for a weekend that blends intense WHL action with one of the team’s most fan-friendly events of the year.
Saturday, January 10th marks the return of Hockey Fest, presented by Peninsula Co-op, turning game day into a full-scale celebration.
The festivities begin at 1 p.m. with a hot stove (make sure to reserve a spot) in the Lions Den Restaurant featuring Canucks alumni Stan Smyl and Kirk McLean, joined by fan-favourite mascot Fin.
One attendee will walk away with an Every Kid’s Dream experience, including two tickets to a Vancouver Canucks game and the opportunity for their child aged 9 to 14 to stand on the blue line during the national anthem.
The excitement continues outside the arena at 2 p.m. with a party in the plaza at Gate 1, complete with music, NHL street hockey, mini sticks, and appearances from Cooper the Co-op mascot and Fin.
Peninsula Co-op will also be giving away 1,000 thunder sticks at doors open, along with a $500 gift card that will be awarded during the game.
On the ice, the matchup itself promises drama. The first meeting between the Royals and Chiefs earlier this season was as tight as they come, ending in a 2–1 overtime win for Spokane after both teams finished with 27 shots and went scoreless on the power play.
Spokane enters the weekend with a 19-19-0-0 record and remains the only team in the WHL without an overtime loss this season.
Victoria will be looking for revenge on home ice, led by centre Hayden Moore. The 19-year-old from Winnipeg has been a steady force all season and is coming off his 13th multi-point game of the year, scoring twice in a 5–1 win over Tri-City. Moore now sits second in team scoring with 14 goals and 38 points and continues to drive the offence in key moments.
Spokane’s offence is anchored by Logan Wormald, acquired from Lethbridge in December. The Langley-born forward is in his fifth WHL season and is known for his scoring touch and strong two-way play, coming off a 30-goal, 70-point campaign last year.
With two competitive matchups, a full day of Hockey Fest activities, and the trade deadline adding extra intrigue, the weekend has all the makings of a must-see event in Victoria.
The Royals believe in the group they have, and this weekend gives them the perfect stage to show why.
Looking ahead, the Royals will also host the Red Deer Rebels on January 31st for the first-ever Salmon Kings Night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
Fans are encouraged to dust off their early-2000s Salmon Kings gear as the team wears throwback jerseys that will be auctioned off following the game.
The Royals currently sit at 16-13-5-3, placing them seventh in the WHL’s Western Conference.
Tickets for this weekend’s games are available now, and with the buzz already building around the arena, this is one weekend Royals fans will not want to miss.
Victoria Royals vs Spokane Chiefs
- Where: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre 1925 Blanshard Street
- When:
- Friday, January 9th, puck drops at 7:05 p.m.
- Satruday January 10th, puck drops at 4:05 p.m., festivities begin at 1 p.m.
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