Royals Drop Pair Over Weekend
Last weekend saw Markham fall short in both of it’s games, losing 3-2 to Lindsay on Friday and 7-0 to Trenton on Sunday. Friday’s game was closely fought, with Ashton Miwa scoring his eight goal of the season in the first period and Rodion Tatarenko closing the gap to one late in the third period, but the Royals were unable to claw all the way back.
Sunday’s game was a learning lesson as the second-overall Golden Hawks, who lead the OJHL in goals, put that offensive prowess on display with five tallies in the first period. The Royals were able to slow the pace of the game down from there, but couldn’t get on the board themselves.
Royals Sign Porporino
Ahead of last weekend’s games, the Royals signed goaltender Matteo Porporino to an OJHL agreement. The 19-year-old native of Woodbridge enters his second OJHL season, having played 26 games last year with the North York Rangers. This year marks Porporino’s fourth season of junior hockey, having spent his previous two seasons with the Brantford Bandits of the GOJHL. Porporino started the year with the Ottawa Junior Senators in the CCHL.
Lanni Named to Battle of Ontario
The Ontario Junior Hockey League announced it’s rosters for the upcoming “Battle of Ontario” on Wednesday, including one of our own in Andrew Lanni. The Richmond Hill-born blueliner has produced a goal and 13 assists in 20 games with the Royals this season, already putting himself just two points shy of a career high.
Both the OJHL and CCHL will send two All-Star and two prospect teams to Smiths Falls, Ontario on November 19th and 20th. Lanni will play for team Rodrigues, who play at 11:00 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. on the 19th, and aim to advance in the round robin for games on the 20th.
Two of the OJHL’s four all-star and prospect teams are named after Royals organizational alumni – All-Star Team Tanev for Markham Waxers alumni Chris Tanev, and Prospects Team Hyman for Hamilton Red Wings alumni Zach Hyman.
Upcoming Games
The Royals take to the ice twice this weekend, starting tonight with their second game this season against the Aurora Tigers. The last matchup between the two teams came on October 12th, where the Royals won 4-2 in Aurora. Ashton Miwa led the way for Markham in that game, putting up two goals and an assist. Puck drop at Markham Centennial Centre is at 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the Royals will take on the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Originally scheduled to be played at Scotiabank Pond on Saturday, this game will instead be the first played in Newmarket since the Hurricanes moved to Milton in 2019. “JRC” will still be the home team on paper. Puck drop at Ray Twinney Arena is at 5:00 p.m.
