Royals under way

Didn't get around to posting anything after the Royals dropped their opener Thursday night. Probably just as well. Not too many positives in that game. Tonight was better, but still room to improve. Lost 6-5 to Elmira in a shootout after the Royals clanked the pipe twice and failed to score.

The Royals got off to a better start when Ben Gordon scored early in the first period, but Elmira came back a few minutes later to tie it. It was a sign of things to come. Neither team looked good defensively and Royals goalie Kevin Regan looked shakey.

The Royals head out next week for a three games-in-three nights swing in Toledo and Kalamazoo. Then back home following week for two.

Spring in February

Almost 60 degrees Sunday and seemed like everyone was outside.

Tremendous turnout for the third race in the Shiver by the River series. Not much shivering going on there. Instead of huddling in the hut by the fire, most people were hanging around outside.

Took advantage of the great weather and biked to the Pagoda with some buddies. We're trying to make it a monthly trek. Lots of people at the top of Mount Penn to check out the refurbished landmark and the clear view.

Hockey day

Getting ready to listen to the Royals-Chiefs game tonight. Great game last night as the Royals won a big one over Wheeling, 3-1. Good team defense and Ouzas made top-notch saves when they were needed. If they play like that tonight, they could break that 10-game losing streak against Johnstown.

I'll have one ear on that game while I watch the NHL Center Ice channels. Checked out several games this afternoon, including the Kings tough loss to Montreal. The Kings were winning late in the third, only to give up two goals with the game-winner coming with less than 30 seconds to play.

The Cup is here

Yep, the Holy Grail of hockey is here again in Reading for the All-Star Skills Competition.

The NHL staffer with the cup says he travels with it about 250 days a year and it's insured for more than $1 million.

That's a lot of frequent flyer miles and I'll bet he has stories to tell.

Hockey fans know that each member of the Cup-winning team gets to take the Cup for a day.

Mini streak is over

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.