Written By: Georgina Georgiou     Photo By: Andy Corneau

MARKHAM, ON:

The Markham Royals took on their divisional opponents, the Pickering Panthers, twice this weekend in a back-to-back set.

On Friday night, the Panthers visited The Kingdom to take on a Royals squad who were just came off a tough loss to the Trenton Golden Hawks, and were in hopes of making a rebound. The Panthers though got off to an early start in the 1st period, going up by one and then holding the fort as the Royals pressed hard for an equalizer. By the middle of the second period, the Panthers continually pressured the Royals, and eventually the Panthers won the game 4-0. It was a tough, action packed game where the Royals fought out until the very end and just couldn't seem to catch a break.

On Saturday night, the boys were back in action in Pickering hoping to take one back from the Panthers. Late in the 1st period, Alessio Luciani scored his 27th of the season, opening up the scoring leading 1-0 into the 2nd Period. As the third period came into play, the game was still 1-0 Royals until Nick Giunta put one it in the back of net to give Markham a 2-0 lead. Through the halfway point of the 3rd, the Panthers score to make it a one goal game. However, the Royals kept their lead until the very end taking the win over the Panthers.

This victory put the Royals back in the top spot of the Northern Division with a record of 23-17-2-4.