March 5

The usual Saturday morning visit with Jenny got the day started, in the afternoon we headed north on 222. The Wheeling Nailers were in town as the Royals started a seven-game stretch at home. Between injuries and AHL callups the club is shorthanded right now, on this night the boys played with fifteen skaters (one below the limit). They say times like this bring a team together, that was certainly true on this occasion as the Royals won easily 7-2. Matt Dalton was the winner in goal as seven different players lit the lamp-Olivier Labelle, Rob Slaney, Rob Kwiet, Andrew Sarauer, Casey Haines, Chris Blight and Ryan Cruthers all scored for the Royals. A good crowd of better than 5200 in the house as we celebrated our mascot's birthday, "Slapshot" (the King of the Jungle) had quite a few of his friends from other area teams and businesses as his guests. The Nailers stay in town for a Sunday rematch, on Wednesday the Trenton Devils return to the Sovereign Center. Take care, thanks for reading.