Royals end losing streak - beat Wolves 4-2

Royals forward Robin Mendelsohn (right) attempts to tip a shot with teammate Andre Leclair screening Sudbury goalie Nick McMullen. Photo by Christian Lebel.

TEMISCAMING, QC - The Temiscaming Royals ended their season long seven game losing streak tonight at the Centre with a 4-2 victory over the visiting Sudbury Jr. Wolves.

The first period started with very little intensity by both teams. But at the 6:04 mark, Axel Bousquet banged in a rebound off a Kory Cashaback shot on a scramble in front of starting goaltender Chris Kaye. But less than a minute later, coach Clancy pulled the string and replaced Kaye with Nick McMullen. The first period ended with only one goal on the board, shots were 12-8 Royals.

The second period was only 3 minutes old when Royals' Marcus Brien was called for a minor penalty as he pulled down Erik Belanger in front of the Royals net. Only 30 seconds later it was Belanger who tied the score at one when he put one past Jim Murray on a nice back door pass from Tyler Arps. About 6 minutes later, the Royals while on a power play regained the lead when Kelvin Blackned slid one past McMullen. The rest of the period had both goaltenders make several nice saves to keep the score close. Temiscaming's Jim Murray made a couple of real beauties on a couple two on ones. Wih only 36 seconds left in the second, Andre Leclair, just off the bench, got a pass from Benoit Fiset and was in all alone on McMullen. He didn't miss, putting upstairs to give the Royals a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. Shots in the period were 17-10 Royals.

The Wolves awoke in the third period and made it close when Shawn Allen came down the left wing and blasted a slap shot past Murray to make it one goal game. The Wolves carried most of the play in the third, but at 15:14, the lead was two again as Robin Mendelsohn snuck behind the Wolves D and took a stretch pass from Benoit Fiset and went top shelf on McMullen for the key insurance marker.

The Wolves outshot the Royals 10-4 in the third, overall 33-28 Royals.

Royals defenceman Benoit Fiset was named the games first star as he had 3 assist. Adam Avison earned the second star while Jim Murray made it a sweep and was selected the third star.

The Royals are on the road Saturday for a game against the Eskimos in Iroquois Falls.