Royals inaugural season comes to an end

By Darryl G. Smart

The Langton Royals fantastic inaugural season came to a screeching halt last week.

After limping into the Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League playoffs, the Royals were swept by the two-time defending champion Severn Stallions in its best-of-three West Division semifinal series.

In Game 1, that was played in Tillsonburg, the Royals got off to the start they wanted, thanks to Carson Favel’s first period goal, while Ismael Prudent adding another early in the second.

But then the Stallions took over.

Christopher Champagne and Kevin Shirmaly tied things up in the second period, before Shimaly added his second of the game in the third, which was the eventual game-winner. Brett Machin then added one more to give the Stallions some insurance.

Trevor Slaven made 31 saves for the Royals, while David Barrett stopped 29 in the win.

The next day, Barrett made 49 saves for the shutout in Coldwater to lead the Stallions to a 4-0 win to take the series.

Jared Weatherbee scored two goals, while Champagne, and Scott Knowles netted one each.

Slaven had another great game between the Royals pipes, making 45 stops.

The Stallions are now playing the Seaforth Generals in the West Division final.

The Royals ended with a 20-13-0-3-3 record. Unfortunately down the stretch they struggled, going 2-8 in its last 10 regular season games.