State Of The Royals: Weekly Notebook October 22nd

WHL Hockey

Just one game for the Royals last week, all the way back to last Saturday, as the Royals defeated the Kelowna Rockets to sweep the two game home series.

Last Week

A seesaw battle saw the two teams trade goals in each period before unlikely hero Jesse Zgraggan scored the overtime winner. It was the defenceman’s first goal since January 12th of this year and just his second career snipe. Kevin Sundher had another strong game getting involved in all four goals. He finished with a goal and three assists.

This Week

The Royals are road warriors this week, taking on the Giants in Vancouver tonight before heading off to Kelowna for a rematch with the Rockets. The two games are a perfect chance for the Royals to further their interdivision with the two provincial rivals and stay neck-and-neck with the Kamloops Blazers for the divison lead. Tuesday and Wednesday next week will the All-American road trip as the Royals pay visit to the Tri-City Americans and Spokane Chiefs. Injured defencemen Zach Habscheid and Tyler Stahl will not make the trip, but forward Brandon Magee will and is expected to draw back into the lineup at some point this week.

State of the Royals

News & Notes

The Royals confirmed this week that the team was considering a bid for the 2016 Memorial Cup, the next time the WHL is up to host. Club President Dave Dakers noted that while history may not be on their side, an Albertan team hasn’t hosted the Cup since 1974 compared to BC hosting twice in the past eight years, but the bid may be necessary to open the door for a successful run in 2019.

Player Spotlight

Robin Soudek, the Czech sniper, is off to a hot start this year with 8 goals in his first 11 games. After putting up 25 goals and 57 points in just 61 games last year, the undrafted overager is putting everything he has into his last WHL season in a bid to secure a future in hockey. Playing with Kevin Sundher, the Royals MVP and one of the premier talents in the league, should go a long way for his future and already has him in the top 10 for goals in the WHL this year.

Next Game

The Royals were in action Friday night in Vancouver (But we won’t talk about that game…UGH), and against Kelowna @ 7:05 Saturday. Games will be broadcast on 91.3 The Zone.