The End... For Now.

Losing is never fun.

Losing in double overtime in an elimination game against a bitter rival? Even worse.

The 2024-25 Royals season came to an end on Tuesday, April 22 in the second overtime period, on a power play goal from Andrew Cristall. Unable to cash in on multiple power play opportunities in overtime, the exhausted Royals were stuck in their own zone for too long, unable to keep up with Spokane. Nate Misskey would end up high-sticking Chiefs captain Berkly Catton to seal Victoria's demise.

As sad as it is for the season to end like this, even a brief glance at the season altogether reveals that it's not all doom and gloom. In fact, with what we've seen from the 2025 Royals, this year should be considered a massive success.

This time last year, Victoria's season was already well over. After barely making the playoffs, the Royals were swept in the first round by the Portland Winterhawks, and outscored 19-10 in the series. In fact, while that second round curse remains for the Royals, this year was the first time Victoria has won a playoff series in six years. Not only that, but this was the most successful playoff run the Royals have ever had in terms of offense. For the first time ever, three Royals had 15 or more points in a single playoffs, with Cole Reschny putting up a team-leading nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points in the Royals' 11 postseason games this year, shattering the previous franchise record of 19, set by Matthew Phillips (of course) in 2018.

This historic offence was present outside of the playoffs as well. This was the second season in Royals history in which four players had over 70 points, the first time in nine years. In fact, the 2024-25 season featured not only the Royals' third highest single-season goal total ever, but also the most effective power play in franchise history, clicking at 28.6% in the regular season and a staggering 37% in the playoffs.

The Royals offence this season is even more impressive in contrast with last year. The team's total goals for increased by 23%, and the aforementioned power play rose from 20 to 28.6%.

Victoria has also seen a noticeable decrease of about 20% in both goals against and penalty minutes since last season, indicating a higher level of discipline and stronger defence. This seems linked (at least partly) to the Royals' new head coach, James Patrick, an experienced coach and player who knows how to build a winning team, as seen with the Winnipeg ICE in 2022, where Patrick was named the CHL Coach of the Year.

As good as the Royals have been this year, many signs show that it doesn't stop here. Victoria is poised to continue their success in the seasons to come. Although the Royals' three 20-year-olds this year, Kenta Isogai, Brandon Lisowsky, and Brayden Boehm, were an integral part of the team's offensive success, there are several players returning next year that are sure to make an impact. Members of the Royals' younger core such as Nolan Stewart, Keaton Verhoeff, and of course Cole Reschny will need to step up next season and continue their production. The entire robust defensive core of this season could be expected to return next year, as all three over-agers are forwards.

While the season certainly didn't end the way Royals fans would have hoped, it's been extremely special to see the Royals rebound from such a disappointing year and have an incredibly successful regular season. I didn't even mention yet that they won the B.C. Division for the second time ever, soon to be the third red banner in the rafters of Save-On Foods Memorial Centre. With an explosive group of forwards, exciting young talent, strong defense, reliable goaltending (Jayden Kraus stepped up big when needed in the playoffs) and an experienced coach, the Royals are ready to make a big splash next season.

Don't look away yet, Royals fans.

We're just getting started.