This version of Trading Places didnt star Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, but instead two guys named Alex Gogolev and Zane Jones.

Both players involved in the Western Hockey League pre-season trade that sent Jones from the Victoria Royals to the Calgary Hitmen for Gogolev, scored in Thursday nights 3-1 Victoria win over Calgary before an announced crowd of 4,739 at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

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But it was Gogolev who had the most flourish with two goals, the winner in the second period and insurance tally into an empty net late in the third.

Im so happy today because we won, said the 20-year-old from Russia.

Everybody on our team played well.

Asked if he was the subject of any verbal barbs from his former teammates, Gogolev said: I just play hockey. I dont listen.

Jones opened the scoring by taking a turnover at centre and bearing down alone on Victoria goaltender Patrik Polivka, burying the puck for his fifth goal of the season at 12:37 of the second.

Forward Steven Hodges, a 2012 draft pick of the Florida Panthers who had missed the eight previous games with an injury, deflected a Logan Nelson point shot to tie the game at 17:37 of the second period. Hodges was darting and dangerous all night.

It was nice to get back out there with the guys, he said. I was expecting to play on the fourth line to get back up to speed. But after the first 10 minutes, I felt really good.

Gogolev, from close in, put Victoria ahead with the winning goal at 19:20 of the second period with his fourth goal of the season off a pass from Brandon Magee. The crafty Russian then sealed the deal with the empty-netter.

Chase Lang of Nanaimo, a North Island Silvertips midget graduate, is a 16-year-old rookie winger with the Hitmen. Lang almost had a memorable Island homecoming in the third period. But facing a wide-open side of the net with the puck on his stick, Lang couldnt pull the trigger for the tying goal.

The Royals went 0-5 on the odd-man, while the Hitmen didnt get a power play.

Chris Driedger made 26 saves in goal for Calgary and Polivka 20 for Victoria.

The Hitmen fell to 7-2-2, while Victoria is 8-4.

Victoria head coach Dave Lowry spent three seasons as assistant coach and one season as head coach of the Hitmen from 2005-06 to 2008-09.

Its not about me, he said. I was excited for the guys. This was a big win for our team against one of the best teams in the league.

The Royals next play Tuesday at the Memorial Centre against Brandon.

ICE CHIPS: Three members of Canadas team from the Americas Rugby Championship  captain Tyler Ardron, Victorias Connor Braid and World Cup veteran Hubert Buydens  dropped the ceremonial opening puck . . . Defenceman Jordan Fransoo, who sat out the previous Royals game on a coachs decision, drew back in Thursday.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com