Friday night hockey at the Arena for the first time in nineteen days. The Royals finished their road trip with a mark of 2-3-1 and were eliminated from playoff contention in the process for the first time since 2019. On this night the Orlando Solar Bears (from the league's Southern Division) visited for the first time since October of 2015. Goals by Darren Brady and Yvan Mongo gave the Royals a 2-0 lead in the first seven minutes but the visitors from central Florida were battling for a playoff berth of their own and weren't about to go away quietly. Two Orlando scores in the third period tied the game and set the stage for overtime, just over a minute into OT Will Zmolek (back from a stint with the Phantoms) took a feed from Tag Bertuzzi and fired home the game-winner. Parker Gahagen was goalie of record in the 3-2 win and probably deserved hazardous-duty pay, the Royals were outshot 53-28. The teams met again on Saturday night in The Very Last Game, it was Fandemonium Night with prizes awarded at every whistle (a night that keeps me alert from beginning to end). The game itself was scoreless deep into the final period, needing a win to secure a playoff spot the Solar Bears pulled their goaltender and skated with an extra attacker in an effort to win in regulation time. In the final minute of play Orlando was awarded a power-play opportunity, they were able to cash in with thirty seconds left to win 1-0. Nolan Maier took the loss but couldn't be blamed in the least, the Royals finish 29-35-8 overall and 16-17-3 at home. As one season came to an end on Saturday night in Reading another one began the following morning at Lions Park in Rothsville. This was opening day for the seventh season of the Sunday over-35 league, we have the usual format with four teams playing a nine-game schedule. On this day Township defeated Hillside via shootout and Ephrata beat Warwick, forty-one players participated. The league continues on the 21st. Take care, thanks for reading.
