The Victoria Royals’ season ended late into a spring night Tuesday in Washington state as the Spokane Chiefs secured a thrilling 5-4 victory in Game 6 of their second-round playoff series at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Andrew Cristall, a standout forward and second-round NHL draft pick of the Washington Capitals, netted the game-winning goal on the power play at 18:11 of the second overtime, ending a hard-fought contest that saw both teams battle fiercely.
Before a lively crowd of 5,310 fans, the Chiefs eliminated the Royals from the Western Hockey League playoffs, winning the best-of-seven series 4-2. This victory marked a significant achievement for Spokane, who will now advance to face the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Conference final, set to begin on Friday, April 25, 2025.
Shea Van Olm was the star of the night for the Chiefs, scoring a hat trick and assisting on Cristall’s decisive goal. Van Olm’s performance highlighted his prowess as the league's top scorer during the regular season, where he netted an impressive 49 goals. His contributions were crucial in a series that saw three of the six games go into overtime, with two extending to double overtime.
The action kicked off early in the first period when Markus Loponen opened the scoring for the Royals with a power-play goal at 4:18, assisted by Reggie Newman. However, the Chiefs quickly responded, as Van Olm tied the game at 1-1 with a goal at 8:43, showcasing his skill with a deft move past the Royals’ defense.
Victoria regained the lead later in the period when Teydon Trembecky scored at 17:27, but the Chiefs were not to be outdone. Just 31 seconds later, Saige Weinstein brought Spokane back level at 2-2, sending both teams into the first intermission with a tie.
The second period saw Spokane take control, with Van Olm scoring his second goal at 19:43, giving the Chiefs a 3-2 lead heading into the third. The momentum continued for Spokane as Van Olm completed his hat trick just 1:17 into the final frame, extending the lead to 4-2. Yet, the Royals proved their resilience; Kenta Isogai responded quickly, scoring at 3:05 to pull Victoria within one.
As the game progressed, the Royals applied pressure, ultimately tying the game at 4-4 with just 3:10 left in regulation, thanks to a goal from Brandon Lisowsky, assisted by Keaton Verhoeff. The intensity ramped up as both teams sought to secure the win, but neither could find the back of the net before the end of regulation, leading to overtime.
The first overtime period was a defensive battle, with both goalies making key saves to keep their teams in the game. Spokane’s Dawson Cowan faced 40 shots, making 36 saves, while Victoria’s Jayden Kraus turned aside 48 of 53 attempts. The second overtime saw the tension mount, with both teams aware that one mistake could end their season.
Finally, it was Cristall who broke the deadlock, scoring on the power play after an intense sequence of play. His goal not only secured the victory for the Chiefs but also underscored his status as the WHL playoff leading scorer with 13 goals. After the game, Van Olm expressed admiration for the Royals, stating, "Credit where credit is due. Victoria is a great team and a deep team and they battled us hard."
This loss marks the end of the season for the Royals, who have reached the second round of the WHL playoffs six times since relocating to Vancouver Island in the 2011-12 season but have yet to advance beyond this stage. The Royals displayed tenacity throughout the series, pushing the Chiefs to their limits and demonstrating their potential for future seasons.
As the Chiefs celebrate their hard-fought victory, they look ahead to the challenge posed by the Winterhawks, who recently upset the top-seeded Everett Silvertips in a thrilling seven-game series. Spokane will aim to build on their momentum and continue their playoff run, while the Royals will reflect on their performance and prepare for the next season.
In a series filled with dramatic moments and intense competition, the Chiefs emerged victorious, showcasing their resilience and determination. With the playoffs continuing, fans can expect more exciting hockey in the coming weeks as teams vie for the championship.
