Royals blanked by Eskis in playoff opener

IROQUOIS FALLS, ON - The Temiscaming Royals kept it close for 40 minutes but the Abitibi Eskimos opened the scoring floodgates in the final period scoring 5 times en route to a convincing 6-0 victory in game 1 of the best-of-seven NOJHL Eastern Conference semi-final.

Felix Boutin scored a power play goal late in the first period to give the Eskis a 1-0 lead. It stayed that way until nearly the midway point of the third period when Matt St. Jacques scored another power play goal that started the Eskis goal scoring parade. Joshua Clancy, Maxime St. Pierre, Nick Beaudoin and St. Jacques again rounded out the scoring for the Eskis.

Despite the final score, Royals goalie Jim Murray was impressive, turning aside 33 of 34 shots through 40 minutes and was named the games second star.

In total the Eskis outshot the visiting Royals 59-21.

NOJHL league MVP goaltender Eddie Davey recorded the shutout in the series opener.

The Royals were without All-Star forwards Robin Mendelsohn and Cedric Boutin. Both are expected to return for games 3 and 4 of the series next week.

The two clubs travel to Temiscaming for game 2 which takes place at 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Centre.