PICKERING, ON - FEB 9, 2018: Ontario Junior Hockey League game between the Pickering Panthers and the Markham Royals, Nathan Porter #4 of the Pickering Panthers battles for position with Braedyn Aubin #7 of the Markham Royals during the first period.

Written By Rino Mattucci     Photo by Andy Corneau / OJHL Images

MARKHAM, ON - FEB 15, 2018: After a hard fought, come-from-behind, overtime loss to the Newmarket Hurricanes (30-13-5-1) on Tuesday afternoon, the Markham Royals (25-19-1-5) will trying to even out the make-shift home and home series when they travel to Newmarket on Thursday night. Markham will then have a quick turnaround with a home date against a rare opponent when the Orangeville Flyers (19-25-1-6) visit the Centennial Centre on Friday night.

The Hurricanes continue to chase the Aurora Tigers for the North Division crown, with both teams having 5 games remaining on the schedule. The Canes are behind by 5 points, and it will be a crucial game against the Royals for them on Thursday night at home with the Tigers set to host Newmarket on Friday night in a Norther showdown.

As for the Flyers, it’s been an up and down season for them yet they are still in the mix for one of the remaining two spots in the South-West Conference. Orangeville is currently holding the 8th seed with 45pts, Burlington is in the 9th seed with 42pts and 3 games in hand on Orangeville. Meaning it will be back-to-back nights for the Royals against teams who are hungry for the 2-points up for grabs.

The Royals will need to respond with hunger of their own, as Markham currently sits in the 6th seed, tied with the Cobourg Cougars at 56pts (COB with 26 regulations wins, MRK with 25) and both teams have 4 games remaining on the schedule. If the playoff were to start tomorrow, the Royals first round opponent would be the Newmarket Hurricanes; Thursday’s tilt is a potential first round preview and if the game on Tuesday was any indication, it could be a fun series.

Game time on Thursday night at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex in Newmarket is 7:30pm, while on Friday night at the Markham Centennial Community Centre the game will start at 7:30pm.

Royals Watch
#7 Braedyn Aubin - The Royals forward has been on a tear recently, not just in the OJHLs Fan Favourite Vote (VOTE HERE) but also on the scoresheet. In his last 5 games, the Woodstock native has 4 goals and 12 points to add to his 67pts in 49 games played this season. Aubin is just 3 goals shy of 30 on the season.

Past Results
VS Newmarket
10/22/17    Markham 4 at Newmarket 2
11/03/17    Newmarket 3 at Markham 1
02/13/18    Newmarket 6 at Markham 5 OT  

VS Orangeville
This is the first and only meeting of the season between Markham and Orangeville.

By the Numbers
Record
Markham - 25-19-1-5
Newmarket - 30-13-5-1
Orangeville - 19-25-1-6

Goals For / Goals Against
Markham - 190 / 179
Newmarket - 163 / 104
Orangeville - 148 / 179

Special Teams (PP / PK)
Markham - 37 for 218 (17.0%) / 41 for 227 (81.9%)
Newmarket - 42 for 212 (19.8%) / 24 for 155 (84.5%)
Orangeville - 29 for 217 (13.4%) / 40 for 227 (82.4%)