Friday the 13th not so lucky for Beavers in Temiscaming

Royals forward Andre Leclair (#88) scores his second goal of the game as a Beavers player tries to keep the puck out on his empty net goal that sealed the victory for the Royals. Photo submitted.
TEMISCAMING, QC - The Temiscaming Royals earned their 7th victory of the season tonight by defeating the visiting Blind River Beavers by the score of 5-2. The Royals had a couple new players in the lineup as a result of a trade made with the S.I.J.H.L. Fort William North Stars. Coming to the Royals were forward Alex Cooper and defenseman Josh Blacksmith, both formerly of the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves Midget AAA program. In return the Royals traded away Stephan Gunner and Rylan Henley. Both Gunner and Henley were in their third seasons with the Royals going back to the days in the GMHL.

The Royals opened the scoring at the 6:44 mark with Axel Bousquet getting his first of the season. That was the only scoring in the first period. The second period wasn't 2 minutes old when the Beavers tied the score as Brett Campbell scored on deflection beating Royals goalie Erwin Bosum. About halfway through the second Andre Leclair gave the Royals the lead for the second time with his seventh of the season. But less than five minutes later, Andrew Trecroce tied the score on a breakaway. The second period ended in a 2-2 tie.

After a Beavers penalty just 17 seconds into the third - on the Royals' power play - newcomer Josh Blacksmith put one past Chandler Long. Alex Cooper the other new arrival earned an assist on the goal. Two minutes later, the Royals made it 4-2 when Chris Hebert banged in a rebound.

With about 90 seconds left in the game, Blind River pulled their goalie for an extra attacker but Andre Leclair put an end to the game with an empty netter.

A total of 12 minor penalties were called with the Beavers taking seven. Shots were 30-27 Beavers,

Robin Mendelsohn had a pair of assists as did Kelvin Blackned and Cedric Boutin.

Erwin Bosum earned the victory and the first star and Chandler Long was tagged for the loss. The other game stars were Axel Bousquet and Chris Hebert.

The Royals next game is Sunday evening 7:00 p.m. against the Manitoulin Islanders at Wikwemikong.

Submitted to BayToday.ca