Eskimos hand Royals setback

Royals goalie Mikell Bilodeau anticipates a shot on goal. Photo by Tim Turner.

TEMISCAMING, QC - The Temiscaming Royals had an opportunity to earn a tie for top spot with the Wolves but the Abitibi Eskimos had plans of their own on Halloween at the Centre Sunday afternoon turning the trick and getting the treat by cpming up on top of the Royals by a score of 5-3. After only 9 seconds of play the Royals were a man down and the Eskimos cashed in with a power play goal by Joel Roy at 1:29 as he banged in a rebound off Mikell Bilodeau. The rest of the opening period went almost scoreless but at 18:29 Alex Cooper tied the game. Royals outshot Abitibi 14-8 in the first period.

The Royals took the lead on very nice tic-tac-toe play between Jonathan Hannums, Griffin Hodges and Cole Workman with a backhander over the sprawled J-P Fecteau. But less than five minutes later Roy, with his second tied the score at two goals apiece. The Royals, again took a one goal lead on a power play marker by Chris Hebert. But the lead was short lived as Maxime St-Pierre tied the game again. Shots were 22-16 Royals.

The third period had the Royals controlling most of the play by Fecteau time and time again made some key saves and his team responded at the 12:31 on defensive zone turnover by the Royals, a 2 on 1 breakaway resulted in a Preston Lacasse goal and eventual game winner. With less than four minutes to play, Erik Robichaud sealed the victory to make it 5-3.

Shots were 16-12 Royals in the third period.

Royals notes:

Shots were 50-36 Royals...Attendance was 178...The 3 Stars were JP Fecteau, Erik Robichaud & Griffin Hodges.

Submitted to BayToday.ca