November 18 is an anniversary of sorts, this blog debuted on this site on that date in 2010. The blog had started elsewhere the previous January, I moved it here when the former hosting site became incompatible. That blog no longer exists online but I preserved it in print in case I ever decide to write a book (not that anybody would actually read it but you never know). Back at the Arena on Saturday night for the return match with Newfoundland, this game transpired in a fashion which is becoming very familiar. The Royals led 2-0 in the first fifteen minutes on scores by Alec Butcher and Matt Brown before the visiting Growlers got the board, in the second period the Royals were outscored 4-1 with Yvan Mongo accounting for the lone goal for the home team, at the horn it was 5-3 Newfoundland. Late in the third Shane Sellar lit the lamp to pull he Royals within one but a Growlers empty-netter in the final minute sealed the deal at 6-4, Will Cranley took the loss but deserved a better fate. The club drops to 3-7-2 overall and 3-2-1 on home ice, the next home date is on Thursday the 30th. Sunday morning was the Grand Finale for the season in Rothsville, Warwick defeated Hillside for the "bronze medal". In the championship game Township trailed Ephrata 3-0 in the second and 4-1 entering the third, they scored five times in the last period to win 6-5 with the winning goal coming with eighteen second left. It's interesting to note that we've played six seasons at Lions Park, through the first four each team won a championship with Township being the last to do so in the autumn of '22. This win was their third consecutive as they successfully defended in the spring of '23 and again in the now-completed fall season. A total of fifty-two players participated including nine who had not played previously. We've often admitted that the league is perhaps not the most prestigious one around but it exists for a specific purpose and that purpose is served. If all goes well we'll be back in April of '24. Take care, thanks for reading.
