It's been a different Victoria Royals team ever since it suffered a 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings at home in Victoria on Nov. 6.
From that fateful game, an embarrassing blowout at home, the Royals have gone 13-3-1, including a 5-3 win over the Oil Kings, in Edmonton, on Tuesday night.
The Oil Kings scored first from Mitchell Moroz but the Royals' soon tied it when 16-year-old rookie Matt Dykstra, an Edmonton native, scored his first WHL goal in his hometown in just his third WHL game. And it was an odd one.
From the Royals' report: (Dykstra's) shot sailed wide of the net but ricocheted off the glass before deflecting off (goalie Tristin) Jarry and into the net.
The Royals poured it on with goals from Axel Blomqvist, and Ben Walker to make it 3-1 after the first period. Jack Palmer then scored his first goal in a Royals uniform 49 seconds into the second period.
It was the first of two goals by Victoria natives in the game, as promising 17-year-old defenceman Dysin Mayo later scored for the Oil Kings.
Brandon Magee sealed the victory for the Royals with an empty-netter in the final minute.
Victoria has now posted a franchise best 23-13-0-2 pre-holiday break record. They'll host the Prince Geroge Cougars for two games, Dec. 27 and 28 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.