Photo Credit: Spencer Smye | OJHL Images | BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Vincent Bonaiuto #27 of the Markham Royals skates with the puck. Cobourg Cougars vs Markham Royals on September 23, 2019 at Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York, United States.

By: Doug Ireland       

The Markham royals are heading in to a busy weekend with road games scheduled for Thursday October 24th against Stouffville, and Friday October 25th for the first game of a home and home versus Pickering, with the 2nd part of that being played Sunday afternoon at the Markham Centennial Centre.

    With 3 games in 4 nights the Royals will get another opportunity to look at recently acquired goaltender Nick Stofcheck. Stofcheck and the Royals are coming off of tough losses against a basement dwelling Aurora Tigers, who were able to muster an unlikely come from behind victory against the Royals last Friday, and against the Oakville Blades who edged out a win last Saturday.

    Going into the weekend, the Royals will be reliant on continuing to generate offense, with players like Vincent Bonaiuto (9G 12 A 15 GP) and Zac Sirota (8G 15 A 15GP) leading the charge. They’ll have their work cut out for them against Stouffville, who will look to leapfrog the Royals in the division standings, sitting just a point back in the North Division; the Royals high point production (63GF 56GA) will be their crutch while the Spirit struggle to generate offense themselves (38GF 50GA).

Against staunch rivals the Pickering Panthers (30GF 35GA), they’re going up against a team who similarly struggles with offense, but is much tighter defensively. Getting up to an early lead both on the road and at home would be a great help, as Pickering has struggle deep into games so far this season. The Royals should be looking to at least split the home and home against Pickering, with the game against Stouffville being a must win.

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