The three-game win streak is over as the Royals dropped a tough one to Elmira, 3-2. A bad turnover while on the PP led to a breakaway game winner. Generally, a tough, physical game that seemed to stir some of the bad blood between these teams from last year.
Royals got off to a quick 1-0 lead before falling behind 2-1. Kirk MacDonald tied it at 2 in the second, but the turnover about three minutes later proved to be the game winner. The Royals pulled Michael Ouzas with about a minute to play, but failed to tie it up, including on a last-second shot off the faceoff in the Jackals' zone.
Next up: All Star skills competition Tuesday and the All Star game Wednesday. The Royals are off until Saturday, when Wheeling returns to town.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Same team?
Has anyone checked the passports of the Royals since they returned from the western trip?
I mean, are these the same guys who were here three weeks ago? What an amazing change. We all know it won't last forever, but finally these guys are competing. Friday's game was probably the best game they played at home all season. Saturday night was right up there, too.
Strange how they got down early in both games, but didn't fold like they have all season. There seems to be some confidence brewing here and I'm not sure where it's coming from. Larry?
You can feel that in the stands, too. The crowd is more into the game because, for once, the fans think this team has a real chance to win.
The aggressive play has returned, too. And I'm not talking just about the fighting. They are looking more like a true North Division team than they did earlier in the season. It's almost as if the reins have been taken off this team. I've always thought this team plays better with a bit of a snarl.
The forecheck has been good, and, generally, so has the defense. Although the PP connected Saturday, it still needs some work, but hey, a win streak is a win streak.
I mean, are these the same guys who were here three weeks ago? What an amazing change. We all know it won't last forever, but finally these guys are competing. Friday's game was probably the best game they played at home all season. Saturday night was right up there, too.
Strange how they got down early in both games, but didn't fold like they have all season. There seems to be some confidence brewing here and I'm not sure where it's coming from. Larry?
You can feel that in the stands, too. The crowd is more into the game because, for once, the fans think this team has a real chance to win.
The aggressive play has returned, too. And I'm not talking just about the fighting. They are looking more like a true North Division team than they did earlier in the season. It's almost as if the reins have been taken off this team. I've always thought this team plays better with a bit of a snarl.
The forecheck has been good, and, generally, so has the defense. Although the PP connected Saturday, it still needs some work, but hey, a win streak is a win streak.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The boys are back
Home after a road trip that included a coaching change and a split of the four games, the Royals face a tough three-game-in-four-day stretch. Friday night brings the Nailers to town, followed by the Devils Saturday night. A day off Sunday, but back on the ice at 11 a.m. Monday to take on the Jackals on MLK Day.
The Purple Gang, no doubt, will warmly welcome Larry Courville in his home-coaching debut. A fan favorite as a player, Courville likely will get some slack from the home crowd even if the team doesn't play well.
The All Star activities kick off Tuesday night with the skills competition with the game Wednesday night. The Royals send two players to that game -- Tyler Doig and Steve Ward.
The Purple Gang, no doubt, will warmly welcome Larry Courville in his home-coaching debut. A fan favorite as a player, Courville likely will get some slack from the home crowd even if the team doesn't play well.
The All Star activities kick off Tuesday night with the skills competition with the game Wednesday night. The Royals send two players to that game -- Tyler Doig and Steve Ward.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Small step
If you stayed up and hung in through the technical problems, you heard the Royals win over Utah last night, 3-0.
After a first period in which they were horribly outshot, the Royals built a two-goal lead. The team had been up by two the night before against the Grizzlies before losing. The Royals seemed to play better last night. Hopefully, it's one small step in the right direction under Larry Courville, who picks up his first win as coach.
The team made some roster moves today: LaLonde is loaned for a second time to Iowa; Miller and Reimer are back from the IR; and Taylor moves to the IR.
Next up: back-to-back games against Idaho, starting Friday.
After a first period in which they were horribly outshot, the Royals built a two-goal lead. The team had been up by two the night before against the Grizzlies before losing. The Royals seemed to play better last night. Hopefully, it's one small step in the right direction under Larry Courville, who picks up his first win as coach.
The team made some roster moves today: LaLonde is loaned for a second time to Iowa; Miller and Reimer are back from the IR; and Taylor moves to the IR.
Next up: back-to-back games against Idaho, starting Friday.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Been a while
Yeah, I know. This space has been inkless for too long. Life has gotten in the way. I will try to get back in the habit of filling this up.
Good news tonight for Royals fans. The team hangs on for a 5-4 win in Dayton after jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first to win its second consecutive game. Two in a row hasn't happened since November.
James Reimer gets his third consecutive start and backstops the effort. The recent additions seem to be paying off, adding speed and some scoring punch to the lineup. Remember, this was a team that had been shut out two straight games. They seem to have found some offense.
Good news tonight for Royals fans. The team hangs on for a 5-4 win in Dayton after jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first to win its second consecutive game. Two in a row hasn't happened since November.
James Reimer gets his third consecutive start and backstops the effort. The recent additions seem to be paying off, adding speed and some scoring punch to the lineup. Remember, this was a team that had been shut out two straight games. They seem to have found some offense.
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