MARKHAM, ON - SEP 24, 2017: Ontario Junior Hockey League game between the Markham Royals and the Lindsay Muskies, Justin Bennett #21 of the Markham Royals skates with the puck during the first period.

Written By Rino Mattucci     Photo by Catherine Kim / OJHL Images

MARKHAM, ON - JAN 14, 2018: With the OJHL Trade deadline now in the rear-view mirror, the focus shifts to the final weeks of the regular season as teams chase the postseason. For the Markham Royals, a spot in the North-East Conference is nearly secured but there is still a race for the North Division crown. The Royals (21-14-1-3) will play back-to-back games starting today at home against the Lindsay Muskies (6-32-0-1) and on the road Monday night against the Cobourg Cougars (19-16-2-2)

Markham has collected points in each of their last 4 games, but are looking to get back into the win column after a tough 2-1 double overtime loss to the Oakville Blades last Saturday. Nate McDonald stopped 45 of the 47 shots against Oakville, and has allowed just 3 goals on 77 shots in two games since being acquired from the Whitby Fury.

Speaking of acquisitions, the Royals added some depth on the blue line and up front at Wednesday’s deadline. First they picked up Jack Lyons from the North York Rangers, an 18-year old who was formerly from the Milton IceHawk and the Toronto Patriots. As well, the Royals picked up 21-year-old former Orangeville Flyers forward Kosta Likourezos who was most recently in the NAHL with the New Jersey Junior Titans. In his two seasons with the Flyers, Kosta scored 30 goals and 59 points in 87 games played.

As for the Lindsay Muskies, it’s been another rebuilding season for the fish. With 12 players born between 1999 and 2001, Lindsay has played big games against big opponents, their last win for example was against the Conference leading Wellington Dukes. This will be the first game for the Muskies since trading their veteran starting goaltender Tyler Richardson (97 born) at the deadline to Wellington.

Monday night in Cobourg will mark the third meeting of the season between the Cougars and Royals, with the home team having won each of the first two meetings. It is the first of back-to-back meetings with the second half of the home and home going on Friday Jan 19 in Markham.

Game time on Sunday at the Markham Centennial Community Centre is at 1:30pm, while Monday night at the Cobourg Community Centre puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm.

Players Watch
Royals - #19 Kosta Likourezos and #72 Jack Lyons - The Royals deadline acquisitions will be the watch tonight, with limited practise time before the game, the new players will be thrown to the fire with the Royals playing 3 games in 4 days this weekend.

Past Results
VS Lindsay
09/24/17    Lindsay 2 at Markham 6
10/20/17    Markham 8 at Lindsay 5

VS Cobourg
10/02/17    Markham 2 at Cobourg 5
11/10/17    Cobourg 1 at Markham 4

By the Numbers
Record
Markham - 21-14-1-3
Lindsay - 6-32-0-1
Cobourg - 19-16-2-2

Goals For / Goals Against
Markham - 144 / 131
Lindsay - 99 / 213
Cobourg - 123 / 118

Special Teams (PP / PK)
Markham - 26 for 169 (15.4%) / 27 for 176 (84.7%)
Lindsay - 19 for 163 (11.7%) / 32 for 147 (78.2%)
Cobourg - 21 for 159 (13.2%) / 23 for 182 (87.4%)