January 21-22

The snow started early in the overnight hours, by morning it was over. This was the first significant snowfall of the season (unless you count that freak storm we got back in October), early reports were that we got three to four inches. I called Jenny to let her know I wouldn't be down for lunch (all the better to let the road crews do their jobs) but I would be there later for the drive to Reading. Jamie joined us once again, he likes to come when the Royals play their less frequent opponents. The drive up and back was largely painless, I stuck to the main roads and avoided my usual shortcuts. On this night in Reading the Toledo Walleye visited for the first time this season. The Royals have struggled mightily on home ice thus far, the inability to hold a lead has been especially troublesome. If the club fails to qualify for the playoffs we may well remember the game on January 21 for all the wrong reasons. With six minutes remaining in the third period the Royals led by two goals yet lost stunningly 5-4. The club took two one-goal leads on scores from Ray Macias and Yannick Tifu but the game stood 2-2 with eight minutes left.in regulation play. Olivier Labelle and John Scrymgeour scored fourteen seconds apart to give the club a 4-2 advantage but it didn't last as the Walleye got one right back to make it 4-3. In the final moments Toledo scored twice within ten seconds to take the lead they would not relinquish as what might been a great Royals victory turned into a crushing loss. Paul Dainton got the start in goal for the second straight night and deserved a better fate. The record now stands at 16-17-6 (just 5-11-3 at home), the boys will have off until Wednesday the 25th when the Wheeling Nailers come to town. Sunday was spent in the quiet at home, after five of the last six days on the mic in the sports arena I could think of no better way to spend a day. Take care, thanks for reading.