Royals fall in regular season finale

IROQUOIS FALLS, ON - The Abitibi Eskimos scored three times in the second period en route to their 40th win of the season as they defeated the Temiscaming Royals 5-3 at the Jus Jordan arena Wednesday night.

It was the final regular season for both teams which will meet in the opening round of the NOJHL playoffs beginning back here on Saturday night and then over to Temiscaming for a matinee at the Centre (2:00 p.m. puck drop) Sunday afternoon.

Felix Boutin, Laurie Gieni, Riley Currie, Michael Robert, and Maxime St. Pierre scored for the Eskis who fired 41 shot at Royals netminder Jim Murray throughout the night, including 24 alone in the third period.

Shane Golden, Pierrick-Picard Fiset and Kory Cashaback scored for the Royals who finish with 14 wins 32 losses and 4 overtime losses for 32 points - 6 points behind the 38 points they accumulated as a first year NOJHL franchise in 2008-2009.