The Victoria Royals are moving on to the Western Conference semifinals.
Backed by a red-hot power play and another stellar performance from goaltender Johnny Hicks, the Royals punched their ticket to the second round of the Western Hockey League (WHL) playoffs with a commanding 7-0 win over the Tri-City Americans in Game 5 on Friday night.
The lopsided victory sealed a 4-1 series win for Victoria, making them the first team from the WHL鈥檚 Western Conference to advance.
See the full highlights from tonight's win!
鈥� xy - Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals)
Twelve different Royals skaters found the back of the net over the five-game series, while four players averaged at least a point per game. Leading the way was 2025 NHL Draft-eligible centreman Cole Reschny, who lit it up with 12 points (4 goals and 8 assists), registering at least one in every game.
In goal, Hicks was nearly unbeatable. The 18-year-old posted a perfect 4-0-0-0 record, a sparkling 1.58 goals-against average, and a .949 save percentage 鈥搉umbers that rank him in the top two across every major goaltending category so far this postseason. He also recorded two shutouts, including Friday鈥檚 series-clincher in Kennewick.
Victoria鈥檚 power play proved lethal, converting on 6 of 19 opportunities in the series, including a flawless 3-for-3 performance in Game 5.
With Round 1 in the books, the Royals will now rest and wait. The WHL reseeds the Western Conference after the first round, so Victoria鈥檚 next opponent will be determined once all remaining matchups are decided.
The Spokane Chiefs also advanced after eliminating the Vancouver Giants in five games. Meanwhile, the Everett Silvertips hold a 3-2 series lead over the Seattle Thunderbirds heading into Game 6, while the Prince George Cougars and Portland Winterhawks are headed for a winner-take-all Game 7 on Monday night.
Round 2 is slated to begin on Friday, April 11, as the Royals look to advance to the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
