Eskimos getting closer to Royals

Royals goalie Mikell Bilodeau stretches to make a stop on Eskis Erik Robichaud. Photo by Tim Turner.

TEMISCAMING, QC - With this winter's biggest snow storm blowing outside the Centre Sunday afternoon, the Abitibi Eskimos squeezed out a 5-3 win over the Royals. With the win Abitibi is only 2 points behind the Royals for second place in the Eastern division and 5 points ahead of the last place North Bay Jr. Trappers.

The Eskimos showed no signs of having a long bus ride through the storm and it was them who took control of the play at the start of the game. The game first goal came off the stick of Preston Lacasse as he skated down the wing and placed his slap shot in the lower corner of the net. It took almost ten minutes before the Royals while on a power play beat starter J-P Fecteau as Jean-Michel Naud deflected a Josh Blacksmith shot. The first ended on a one all tie. Shots were 14-11 Royals.

The second period has only one goal scored and it was Maxime St-Pierre of the Eskimos who deflected a shot from the point. Mikell Bilodeau stopped the shot but it went high over his head and fell into the net. Shots were 11-9 Royals.

The third period held a little more action that the first two. At 2:12, Shane Innes banged in the third rebound on the power play to give the Eskimos a two goal lead. About 8 minutes later Josh Blacksmith brought the Royals to within a goal on his goal mouth goal. But at the tail end of a two man advantage power play Maxime St-Pierre notched his second to restore the two goal lead again. Less than 2 minutes later, Andre Leclair put one past Fecteau, 4-3 Abitibi. Coach McCharles then pulled Bilodeau for the extra attacker.

The Royals had a couple real good chances to tie thye game but Fecteau kept that from happening. A pinching defenseman was unable to keep the puck in the zone and Shane Innes skated down the wing all alone and put one into the empty net to seal the victory for the Eskimos.

Game Notes:Shots were 37-29 Royals...3 stars were Maxime St-Pierre, Jean-Michel Naud and Chris Gartner...
The Royals now end the year on the road next weekend against SSM Thunderbirds and Soo Eagles....Their next home game will be January 9th against the Trappers.