The eleventh month of the year began in the usual manner, these days there just isn't much on the calendar but that will pick up once basketball starts at McCaskey. On Friday evening the Wheeling Nailers were at the Arena for the opener of a two-game series. Wheeling is one of six cities still in the league from the Royals' inaugural year in '01-02 and one of only three who have played straight through with no break in the lineage, the others dropped out and reentered at different points (I guess that technically makes the Royals the league's fourth oldest club, it all depends on how you look at it). On this night the Royals fell behind 1-0 in the first period, midway through the second Charlie Gerard evened it at 1-1 but the Nailers replied in kind to lead 2-1 after two. In the third the Royals outshot Wheeling 12-3 but could not find the equalizer, the Nailers held on for the 2-1 win. Saturday was Military Appreciation Night, the club wore camouflage-themed sweaters and during the second intermission each branch of the military was recognized in special ceremonies. On this night the Royals took a 2-0 first-period lead on a pair of goals from Merrimack product Max Newton, early in the second Shane Sellar lit the lamp to extend the advantage to three. After the Nailers got on the board newcomer Trey Bradley (four-year pro from Colorado College) put the Royals up 4-1, another Nailer score late in the period made it 4-2. In the third Wheeling outshot the Royals 17-2 and closed to within one but could come no closer, Nolan Maier was in net for the second straight night and earned a split of the weekend's activities. The club stands at 2-4-1 in the early going (2-2 at home), they play their next three on the road before coming home on Friday the 18th. Rain moved in overnight into Sunday morning and ruined another day of hockey in Rothsville, we'll have makeups on the 13th and try for the championship round on the 20th. Take care, thanks for reading.
