Royal challenge awaits Winterhawks in WHL playoffs

Game 1: at Portland, 7 p.m. Friday at Coliseum.

Game 2: at Portland, 7 p.m. Saturday at Moda Center.

Game 3: at Victoria, 7:05 p.m. Monday.

Game 4: at Victoria, 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.

Game 5 (if necessary): at Portland, 7 p.m. Thursday at Moda Center.

Game 6 (if necessary): at Victoria, 7:05 p.m. April 12.

Game 7 (if necessary): at Portland, 7 p.m. April 14 at Coliseum.

PORTLAND — In many ways, the differences appear to be slim between the Victoria Royals and Portland Winterhawks.

But the Winterhawks carry a significant edge in playoff experience into the Western Hockey League playoff series that begins with games on Friday and Saturday in Portland.

Reaching the WHL finals three years in a row, and the Memorial Cup last season, means the Winterhawks have a group of players who will be prepared when the competition heats up.

“I think (that experience) will take us a long way because we’ve been through this so many times,” Winterhawks team captain Taylor Leier said. “You just don’t panic. You’re more calm. You know what to do in certain situations.

“It’s just like anything in life, you’ve been through it before so you’re not surprised by anything really.”

The Winterhawks and Royals both swept their first-round series, Portland over Vancouver and Victoria over Spokane. Both teams had more than a week off, and will now play four games in five nights.

“It’s a tough start to the series, but guys are rested, that’s for sure,” Winterhawks coach Mike Johnston said.

Victoria and Portland played four close, low-scoring regular-season games, with the Royals winning three of them. One game was decided in overtime, and another by shootout. Portland’s league-leading offense was limited to two goals in each of the four regular-season games.

“The goaltending has been very good in all of the games we’ve played against them. And I think it’s two teams that match-up wise are really close so it’s hard to get scoring chances,” Johnston said.

Johnston pointed to depth up front, five experienced defenseman, and consistent play by two goalies as reasons the Royals emerged as one of the better WHL teams this season. Victoria had the fifth best regular-season record in the league, and third best in the Western Conference.

The Royals had six players score more than 20 regular-season goals, led by 19-year-old wingers Austin Carroll (34 goals, 23 assists) and Brandon Magee 25 goals, 42 assists. Eight Royals scored playoff goals against Spokane, five with at least two, and Magee had six assists.

In a rarity, the Royals had two goalies finish the regular season ranked among the top five in the WHL. Coleman Vollrath finished third with a goals-against average of 2.29. Patrik Polivka was fifth at 2.56. Vollrath played all four games against Portland, but Polivka started all four playoff games against Spokane.

Whoever starts in goal, Leier said Portland’s approach will be to get shots on goal early and often.

“They have a really good team. Their defensemen are good and their forwards are really well rounded,” Leier said. “Their goalies have played really well for them, too, so we’re in for a challenge.”

The Winterhawks high-speed attack had a lot of success in their sweep of the Vancouver Giants, 10 Winterhawks scored goals, with Brendan Leipsic notching five goals and four assists and Oliver Bjorkstrand netting four goals and four assists.

The Royals and Winterhawks last met on Jan. 10-11 in Victoria. Portland’s win in the Jan. 11 game was the start of its 21-game winning streak. The Hawks, who have won 11 straight entering this series, have lost only once since that visit to Victoria.

“We have a lot of swagger here in this locker room. That’s something that you need in playoffs,” said defenseman Matt Dumba, who has experienced only one loss since joining the Winterhawks. “You have to be confident. You can’t dwell on little things. You’ve just got to stay focused, be determined and believe in yourself and your abilities.”

Dumba played 20 WHL playoff games over three seasons with Red Deer. He said he’s learned since arriving that Portland’s playoff success is the result of more than talent.

“I think it just comes down to compete level. Once we get into games there’s definitely no messing around,” Dumba said. “All of our guys are doing whatever it takes to get that extra goal, or blocking a shot, whatever it takes.”