March 25 - Hockey comeback could be skating uphill

Good morning !

Did you catch the minor eclipse last night? It was only a penumbral one, meaning that the moon only passed through the edge of Earth's shadow, but it happened during the “worm moon"—a full moon in March around the spring equinox.

If you missed it, there's another eclipse on the way: a partial solar one in two weeks.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 10 / 5

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 13 / 6

Day after: 🌧️ 10 / 6

7-day forecast

NEWS

Royals’ return to playoffs begins with uphill battle

Victoria’s main hockey team is back in the playoffs after a half-decade hiatus caused by COVID and some underwhelming seasons on the ice. The team clinched a playoff berth fairly early, but slid down to 7th after struggling throughout 2024 amid injuries. Victoria finished the schedule at 29-30-5-4, going a mere 7-17-5-2 in the new year.

Last couple of losses proved costly

The Royals were just a few points shy of finishing 5th. That would have meant a fairly even match with the 34-win Wenatchee Wild rather than an uphill battle against the dominant 46-win Portland Winterhawks.

In terms of both points and wins, Portland is further above Victoria than Victoria is above the worst team in the league. Portland won all four games this season, though two went to overtime. [Series preview]

The series begins Friday in Oregon, then comes to Victoria next Monday.

Team will count on high-scoring graduating players

Dawson Pasternak was named the team’s internal MVP after leading them with 72 points (27 goals, 45 assists) as the only Royal in the WHL’s top 40 scorers. Mid-season acquisition Tyson Laventure (31G, 36A) was among the league’s best at scoring first goals, however, and put up 31 of his points in just 25 games with Victoria. Both players are 20, making this their final season with Victoria.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Holiday facility and parking hours for this weekend in Victoria.

Crash at Island Hwy and Burnside Rd W shut lanes for several hours on Sunday evening.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

FOOD

10 spots for Easter treats in Victoria

Easter long weekend is hopping toward us, and that means that bakeries and sweet shops across the city have begun preparing treats specially suited for the occasion.

From hot cross buns and traditional Easter breads to carrot cake and chocolate bunnies, these are the seasonal treats to get most excited about.

See them at Tasting Victoria. 

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⭐️ Capital Picks

👀 Share your seagull sightings with Sidney and Environment Canada. [Project info]

📚 1000×5 Children’s Book Recycling Project runs a massive charitable book ecosystem, fueled by the loving hands of volunteers who redistribute kids' books to families in need.*

☕ Rhino Coffee House opening second location in Langford at the new Jordie Lunn Bike Park clubhouse. Opening date to be announced.

💓 Help a young local dad: Friends are fundraising to help his family after his open-heart surgery had complications that had him in ICU and ER. [GoFundMe]

🤝 Now hiring: Program Coordinator at Scale Collaborative.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Major Nanaimo redevelopment moves back a step
The multi-building, hotel-retail-residential project replacing the Howard Johnson hotel has had its third reading rescinded by council and will head to a public hearing. The Snuneymuxw First Nation had objected to a lack of consultation. [Nanaimo News Now]

Calf of beached orca may have a chance 
Mother whale T109A3 died at age 14 near Zeballos on Sat., despite the rescue efforts of locals. The calf, 2, has since headed back out to sea, accompanied by boats from the First Nation, and its cries may attract its family or other orcas. [CHEK]

Man threw rocks while being arrested for throwing rocks, police say
The man, 41, was arrested nearby after broken windows were reported by callers, and then seen by police, on Cadboro Bay Rd. [Oak Bay Police]

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Horse-Drawn Carriage Driver at Tally-Ho Carriage Tours

• Certified Dental Assistant at Peninsula Dental

• Item systems specialist at the Butchart Gardens

• Staff lawyer at Together Against Poverty Society

Looking for more openings? See more job openings now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

🗓️ Things to do

🎥 Memory at Cinecenta: The Venice Festival winning drama film starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard at the UVic theatre. Today. 5pm and 7:10pm

🎞️ IMAX festival at RBCM continues this week.

🍺 Street Art and Craft Brewery Tour: See the city’s best street art and check out some local beers on this tour. Tomorrow 2pm-9pm. [Tickets]

❓Want more events? Subscribe to This Week In Vic and get our weekly events newsletter every Tuesday.

👀 In Case You Missed It

765 new local homes, with BC’s help. 95-year-old paddles to help kids. Explosive device at Sooke crash site. [Sat. news]

5 new restaurants opening this spring. [Tasting Victoria]

Is there a hidden gem restaurant in Victoria that deserves some love and recognition? Vote for your favourite in the Tasting Victoria Awards. [Vote]

Top 10 soups in Victoria: Warm up on rainy days with these soups. 

The wave riders of Sombrio, seen from above in this video from James MacDonald.

jmacdo01

View more on Instagram

That’s it!

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