One-goal losses adding up

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The three-goal outburst may have even surprised the Royals, who coming into the weekend, had scored just 16-first-period goals, the second-lowest total only behind Spokane’s 15.

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On top of that, the Royals, up until last night, had enjoyed the lead just once after one period this season.

“We weren’t ready to play”, McNevin continued. “I might puke if I see another flipped backhand pass into the middle. Enough guys, it doesn’t work. It looks good when it works, but how many times does it not work?”

Peskett’s goal in the second period opened the floodgates for the fans to throw stuffed toys onto the ice, but after a quick nine-and-a-half-minute cleanup and play resumed, it didn’t spark the home team in any way.

It was also a rare sight to see the Royals enjoy a two-goal lead heading into the third period.

Coming into last nights game, the visitors had won only one game when leading after 40 minutes, having previously trailed in 24 of 29 games this season.

Max Graham, with a breakaway goal in the third period to make it 3-2, provided a glimmer of hope for the 4644 onlookers who envisioned a rally, but the team wasn’t crisp enough down the stretch to tie the score.

“Our second period was ok, but it is tough to recover from three goals down”, McNevin added.

Veteran Talyn Boyko, who struggled in his last start – Saturday night in Tri-City – couldn’t bail out his teammates either, giving up three goals on ten shots.

In an effort to spark his team, Rockets head coach Kris Mallette replaced the 20-year-old with back up Jari Kykkanen, one of the bright lights in a dismal effort, who looked sharp and dialed in by not allowing a goal on the 20 shots he faced over the final-two periods.

It was a tough night for the Rockets top players, with leading scorer Andrew Cristall looking frustrated and forward Gabriel Szturc, who will play for Czechia at the world junior hockey championships, not looking as dominant as usual.

Awarded just one power play in the game, the Rockets simply weren’t willing to work hard enough to manufacture goals while playing even strength.

“You have to beat teams five-on-five”, McNevin lamented. “We had five guys on the ice playing as individuals at times.”

It was only the Royals second road win of the season, after beating the Medicine Hat Tigers October 29th (4-3 in overtime).

Playing without Colton Dach, Turner McMillen and Adam Kydd, the Rockets lost for the fifth time (1-4-1-0) in six games.