February 12-18

With the end of high school basketball we hit the usual slow period, the week past had little going except for two snow events and one hockey game at the Arena. Overnight into Tuesday we had some light rain followed by snow, in the morning I cleared the front sidewalk with little difficulty. Bright sunshine helped with the melting process, travel for the morning errand run was no trouble at all. A similar situation was forecast overnight into Saturday but this time around it was largely a fizzle. By morning it was clear and sunny, what little snowfall we had overnight was long gone and the streets and sidewalks were in fine shape. In the evening Jenny and her mother were at the Arena for the first time in three weeks, they missed the games on February 3 and 4 because Jenny was under the weather. Several members of the staff had noted their absence and were glad to see them back. The Royals went 0-2-1 on the most recent road swing, on this night the Newfoundland Growlers were in town for the first of a three-game series. After a scoreless first period the Royals fell behind by a goal twice in the second period but replied both times on answers from Adam Brubacher and Mason Millman. In the third period Darren Brady (back in the lineup from an extended injury absence) gave the Royals their first lead of the night but the gang from Atlantic Canada pulled even to send the game into overtime. The extra seven minutes passed without resolution, in the shootout Shane Sellar netted the only goal giving the Royals a much-needed 4-3 win. Recently-added Anson Thornton made his home debut in net and earned the decision, he's a first-year pro on loan from the Arizona Coyotes organization. The Royals stand at 18-22-7 (10-11-3 at home), the series continues on President's Day Monday afternoon and Wednesday night. Take care, thanks for reading.