Hodges with three points as the Royals snap 11-game winless streak

VICTORIA – Steven Hodges scored twice and set up one more on Friday as the Victoria Royals downed the visiting Vancouver Giants 5-3 in Western Hockey League action.

The victory was the Royals fourth in a row against the Giants, but more importantly it snapped an 11-game winless streak. Victoria’s last win came back on Feb. 10th against the Spokane Chiefs and during their drought, both the Chiefs and Tri-City Americans passed them in the Western Conference standings, dropping them to sixth.

Ben Walker and Brandon Magee each had a goal and an assist for the Royals (33-27-7), who scored just 22 goals in their 11 straight losses, while Jamie Crooks chipped in with two assists.

Jack Walker added a single goal to round out Victoria’s offence.

Cain Franson had a goal and two assists for the Giants (19-47-2), who fell to 7-26-2 on the road, and Tyler Morrison and Alec Baer had a goal apiece.

Back-up goaltender Coleman Vollrath made 28 saves for his first win since Dec. 29th. Jared Rathjen turned away 24-of-28 shots in a losing cause.

Victoria went 0 for 4 on the power play while Vancouver scored once on four chances with the man advantage.