ROYALS STUN ESKIS IN OT


Temiscaming Royals forward Andre Leclair charges the Eskis net. Photo courtesy Christian Lebel

The Abitibi Eskimos were expected to cruise through the first round of the NOJHL playoffs smoothly en route to a much anticipated Eastern Conference battle with the North Bay Jr. A Trappers in round two.

But someone forgot to tell the Temiscaming Royals. After dropping a 6-0 decision Saturday night, the Royals played arguably their best game of the season with a short bench.

Pierrick Picard-Fiset stripped the puck from Felix Boutin at 1:14 of overtime and fed Kelvin Blackned who deked Eddie Davey to his backhand for the game winning goal for a 3-2 victory evening the best-of-seven Eastern
Conference semi-final series at 1-1.

It was the first NOJHL playoff victory for the second year NOJHL club that finished 51 points behind the Eskis in the regular season standings.

While Blackned was the goal scoring hero, goaltender Jim Murray was the savior. After facing 59 shots in the 6-0 shutout, Murray turned his game up another notch stopping 46 shots in the win.

“It was a big sigh of relief; lots of shots,” said the weary Royals goalie from the Philadelphia area.

“It was good to get the win and yesterday we got shut out so it was good to get the win. It’s a really happy feeling, I can’t even describe it right now.”

The game didn’t start all that well for the Royals as the Eskis Michael Robert put the second shot of the game past Murray after he stopped Eskis forward Olivier Morin on a breakaway 39 seconds in.

Andre Leclair quickly replied with a power play marker to even the score at 5:39. The Royals top scorer put the Royals ahead scoring on a rebound from a bad angle 6:26 into the second period.

Both exchanged brilliant stops until Michael Robert was able to solve Murray at 14:10 of the third for his second goal of the game as the two clubs finished 2-2 after regulation.

For Royals head coach Steve McCharles, the win was a relief.

“We will continue to compete, I think the boys are just throwing everything out onto the table and it showed tonight,” he said.

Meantime, Eskis coach Paul Gagne says his club won’t change its game plan despite the series being tied 1-1.
“The only thing we will add is offence and one of the reasons we had problems yesterday and today is the young Murray in net, he’s been outstanding, and I don’t mean, ‘Out standing round,’ he’s been doing his job and we just have to capitalize on our chances.”

The series will shift back for game 3 in Iroquois Falls next Saturday night and the two teams will connect again next Sunday afternoon in Temiscaming.

League MVP Eddie Davey finished with 33 saves in the loss after stopping all 21 shots he faced in the series opener on home ice.

The games three stars were Kelvin Blackned, Jim Murray and Eskis Michael Robert.

Posted March 7th 2010

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

The regular season wraps up tonight and the playoffs are just around the corner. The Royals will be facing the first place Abitibi Eskimos starting this Saturday in Iroquois Falls. The Royals first home game will be on Sunday March 7th at 2pm.

Game
Date
Arena
Time
Game 1
Saturday March 6th
Jus Jordan Arena
7:30 pm
Game 2
Sunday March 7th
Le Centre
2:00 pm
Game 3
Saturday March 13th
Jus Jordan Arena
7:30 pm
Game 4
Sunday March 14th
Le Centre
2:00 pm
Game 5*
Tuesday March 16th
Jus Jordan Arena
7:30 pm
Game 6*
Wednesday March 17th
Le Centre
7:00 pm
Game 7*
Thursday March 18th
Jus Jordan Arena
7:30 pm

*if necessary

Posted March 3rd 2010

 

TRAPPERS BLANK ROYALS


Royals goalie Jim Murray makes on of his 46 saves with Trappers forwards Stan Smrke and Dan Zawacki chasing the rebound. Photo by Christian Lebel

With the playoffs on the horizon, the North Bay Trappers threw a defensive blitz on the Royals Saturday night at the Centre with a 5-0 shutout win over the Royals.  Scoring came very late in first period on a slap shot from the point by Sacha Guimond that beat Jim Murray high glove side.  Murray turned aside 20 shots in the first to keep it close.

The second was pretty much the same as the first as the Trappers increased their lead to two goals with only 94 seconds left to play as Zach Hunter blasted a slap shot from the face off circle that was top corner.  Shots were a lttle closer in the second, 14-12 Trappers.

In the final frame, the visitors didn't wait too long, as Jese Cere beat Murray through the five hole early in the period. Then 1:33 later Mike Bodley found the back of the net to make it 4-0.  Dan Zawacki closed out the scoring with a goal, tapping in his own rebound. 

Shots were 51-29 Trappers. The 3 stars were the Trappers Ryan Fitzsimmons, Jim Murray and the Trappers J-P Kascsak. The Royals will now close out the season on the road on Wednesday as they take on the Eskis in Iroquois Falls in what will be a preview of the East Division semi-final.

Posted February 28th 2010

ROYALS CLIP EAGLES


The Temiscaming Royals battle for the puck in front of Soo Eagles goalie John KleInhans. Photo by Christian Lebel

The Temiscaming Royals (14-30-4) played one of their best games of the season with only 14 skaters to hand the visiting Soo Eagles (27-16-5) a 6-4 setback tonight at the Centre.

Darren Shecapio scored twice, including an empty netter to seal the victory. Josh Blacksmith scored the lone goal of the first period and contributed 4 assists as well.

André Leclair scored the eventual game winner on a third period power play and added a shorthanded goal in the second. Benoit Fiset had the other Royals goal.

The visitors were led by Kevin Michelcavage with 2 goals and an assist. Daniel Nath and Jimmy Morris had the other goals for the Eagles who sit in third spot in the NOJHL Western Conference.

The Royals last home game of the regular season is Saturday, February 27th at 7:30 p.m. as they take on the North Bay Jr. A Trappers.

Posted February 27th 2010


               
               


Temiscaming Royals Junior 'A' Hockey Club - P.O. Box 278 - Temiscaming QC J0Z 3R0