MQT outscores STL 25-1 in Three-Game Series
By Brandon Decremer
Royales Beat Writer
Goals were in abundance at Lakeview Arena this past weekend Oct. 11-13 as the MQT Royales swept the three-game series against the visiting St.Louis Frontenac’s. The Royales started the weekend off with two offensive explosions scoring 22 goals in the first two games with two shut-outs. Sunday’s third and final game was a little closer as St.Louis got on the scoreboard for the first time in a 3-1 loss.
Royales Beat Writer
Goals were in abundance at Lakeview Arena this past weekend Oct. 11-13 as the MQT Royales swept the three-game series against the visiting St.Louis Frontenac’s. The Royales started the weekend off with two offensive explosions scoring 22 goals in the first two games with two shut-outs. Sunday’s third and final game was a little closer as St.Louis got on the scoreboard for the first time in a 3-1 loss.
Coming into the series, St. Louis had a league low 54 goals against in just seven games and it took the Royales only seven minutes to add on to that total. MQT didn’t slow down after their first goal of the game and added four more in the first period. MQT controlled the pace during game one and St. Louis goaltender Loren Sawyer spent most of the night on his heels, as he faced 46 shots with 37 saves.
The Royales would add two more goals in each of the final two periods, and complete the 9-0 shut out. Game one also saw the season debut of goaltender Andrew Gedert who saved all 29 shots he faced and even picked himself up an assist.
Game two of the series on Saturday night saw the Royales keep on rolling just as they did the night before offensively. After two first period goals, MQT came alive with eight second period goals including a hat trick by forward Trevor Givens.
The Royales finished the second game with three more goals in the third and final period for the 13-0 win. Net minder Bryce Leaf was perfect saving all 24 shots that he faced. Royales could hang there hat on their defense the entire weekend after shutting out the first two games and giving up the only St. Louis goal of the weekend in the final game on Sunday.
Sunday's game was less of an offensive onslaught. Frontenacs netminder Loren Sawyer stopped 33 of 36 shots in the 3-1 loss to MQT. Royales goalie Walker Enstad had 19 of 20 saves.
“We are all gelling very well and are feeling more comfortable with each other as a team,” Givens said.
Next weekend the Royales (11-2) will be hosting the Illiana Blackbirds (10-1) in a battle for first place in the Great Lakes Division. Illiana (Dyer, Ind.) is on a five-game winning streak after defeating Ft. Wayne last Saturday.
The Royales would add two more goals in each of the final two periods, and complete the 9-0 shut out. Game one also saw the season debut of goaltender Andrew Gedert who saved all 29 shots he faced and even picked himself up an assist.
Game two of the series on Saturday night saw the Royales keep on rolling just as they did the night before offensively. After two first period goals, MQT came alive with eight second period goals including a hat trick by forward Trevor Givens.
The Royales finished the second game with three more goals in the third and final period for the 13-0 win. Net minder Bryce Leaf was perfect saving all 24 shots that he faced. Royales could hang there hat on their defense the entire weekend after shutting out the first two games and giving up the only St. Louis goal of the weekend in the final game on Sunday.
Sunday's game was less of an offensive onslaught. Frontenacs netminder Loren Sawyer stopped 33 of 36 shots in the 3-1 loss to MQT. Royales goalie Walker Enstad had 19 of 20 saves.
“We are all gelling very well and are feeling more comfortable with each other as a team,” Givens said.
Next weekend the Royales (11-2) will be hosting the Illiana Blackbirds (10-1) in a battle for first place in the Great Lakes Division. Illiana (Dyer, Ind.) is on a five-game winning streak after defeating Ft. Wayne last Saturday.
first line facts
- In the second period of Saturday's game, a stoppage of play was given for medical attention to Royales defenseman Eric Hewitt after a puck hit him in the face. The injury was taking care of by a first responder on the scene and than 911 was also called upon. After Hewitt skated off the ice to much applause from the fans the play picked up again late in the second. Hewitt was scratched for Sunday's game, but expected for the Illiana series.
- Offensively the Royales were led by Jeff Salzbrunn (1 goal, 8 assists), Robby Gervino (4 goals, 2 assists), and Drew Jarvis (4 goals, 3 assists), for the weekend.
- St. Louis's has scored a league worst 11 goals this season. Six players in the league, including McLaughlin and Gervino have more goals this season than the Frontenacs roster.
Brandon Decramer is the beat writer for the Marquette Royales.