WHL Playoffs: Royals down Rockets to open second-round series

Coleman Vollrath of the Victoria Royals. (Larry MacDougal/CP)

VICTORIA — Coleman Vollrath made 40 saves as the Victoria Royals opened the second round of their Western Hockey League playoffs with a 2-1 win over the visiting Kelowna Rockets.

Jack Walker opened the scoring for the Royals 4:01 into the first period and Dante Hannoun scored the go-ahead goal 1:25 into the second.

Tyson Baillie responded at 5:04 of the first for the Rockets, who got a 29-save outing from Michael Herringer.

Victoria’s Logan Fisher was ejected early in the second period after taking a major penalty for boarding.

Both clubs went 0 for 4 on the power play.

Victoria hosts Game 2 on Saturday.

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