Junior AA Royals crush Vipers

The Junior AA West Island Royals defeated the Dollard Vipers in triumphant fashion in a divisional match-up last Wednesday night.

Taking a 2-0 lead before the game was two minutes old, the Royals cruised to a 9-2 win in the final regular season meeting of the two clubs.

The early deficit seemed to sap the life out of the visiting Vipers, who would trail 4-0 before the end of the first. A goalie switch near the end of the period changed little, as the Royals continued their assault on the Dollard net.

Dogged puck retrieval and outstanding puck retention and offensive zone cycling were the keys to the Royals victory, with several of their goals the result of prolonged possession in the Vipers end.

Forwards Nick Krasowski and Cody McCleish led the way with two markers apiece and Raphael Ouellet, Mathieu Lacoste, Kyle Kelly, Steve Kelly and Colin Placentine each added a goal to round out the scoring for West Island.

Jamie Collela and Patrick Bettan found the net for Dollard in the loss.

The Royals swept the season series and currently occupy the top spot in the Lions Division. They are hoping for a return to former glory, as they were crowned Junior AA champions for three consecutive years prior to last season’s early playoff exit.