Former Vipers Hannoun & Auerbach Claim Top Spot In WHL With Royals:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Dante Hannoun & Former Vernon Vipers Trainer Matt Auerbach helped guide the Western Hockey League's Victoria Royals to top spot in the WHL Wednesday with a 7-4 victory over the Kelowna Rockets. With the victory, the Royals earned their first Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy in their 10-year franchise history with the best overall record in the WHL at 48-16-3-.3.

Hannoun the younger brother of former Vernon Vipers forward Demico Hannoun played one game as an "AP" (affiliated player) with the Vipers
during the 2013-14 season. Auerbach was a trainer with the Vernon Vipers back in the late 90's was also with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs before making the jump in 2006 for the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins. Auerbach has spent the past nine seasons with the Bruins & Victoria Royals.

This is posted on the Royals website:

ROYALS TAKE DOWN ROCKETS TO CLAIM TOP SPOT IN THE WHL

Mar 16, 2016

Victoria drops Kelowna 7-4.

For Immediate Release

Kelowna, BC- The Victoria Royals scored three markers in each of the opening two periods, and held off the Kelowna Rockets’ three goal middle frame, in a 7-4 victory on Wednesday night.

With the victory, the Royals earned their first Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy in their 10-year franchise history with the best overall record in the WHL at 48-16-3-3.

Special teams played a large part for the Royals as they registered four goals on the man-advantage. Victoria’s Alex Forsberg (2g-2a) and Tyler Soy (1g-3a) both amassed four points on the night, and each added a powerplay goal for the visitors. The Royals also received a pair of markers on the man-advantage from Jack Walker. Victoria’s other goals were scored by Ethan Price and Vladimir Bobylev.

The Rockets also had powerplay success as Dillon Dube, Calvin Thurkauf, Cal Foote and Tomas Soustal all tallied on the man-advantage.

Victoria’s Coleman Vollrath got the nod in net and made 26 saves on 30 shots. Kelowna’s netminder Michael Herringer turned aside 29 of the 36 shots fired his way.

The Royals went 4/9=44.4% on the powerplay, while Kelowna held a 4/6=66.6% mark on the man-advantage.

Victoria has now set their new single season point record at 102, and have tied the franchise’s longest win streak at 11 games.

The Royals will play their last road game of the season as they head to Everett, WA to face the Silvertips on Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

Victoria returns home on Saturday to wrap-up the regular season with a match against the Everett Silvertips on Fan Appreciation Night. Puck drop slated for 7:05 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Select Your Tickets Box Office, over the phone by calling 250-220-7889 or by visiting www.selectyourtickets.com.

The Royals will have home ice advantage in the first round of the 2016 WHL Playoffs with Games 1 & 2 on Friday, March 25th and Saturday, March 26th. Single game tickets for the playoffs are on sale now at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, over the phone at 250-220-7777 or online at www.selectyourtickets.com.
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