The Edmonton Royals secured a hard-fought victory last night, knocking off the Sherwood Park Knights in a 5-3 final. Royals netminder Dawson Ringuette was a difference maker between the pipes, turning aside 33 of 36 shots to record his first win in a Royals uniform. His poise under pressure kept the Royals steady in a game where Sherwood Park carried stretches of the play and held a slim edge in shots, 36-33.
Leading the charge offensively was Andrew Bender-Yantha, who found the back of the net twice, including the game winner. His ability to finish in key moments swung the momentum in Edmonton’s favor and gave the Royals the push they needed to stay ahead in the third period. The Royals also benefitted from a balanced attack, as Jackson Krochak, Kenny Taylor and Ben Ankerman each chipped in with goals of their own. That depth proved crucial, preventing the Knights from keying in on a single line and underscoring the offensive versatility throughout Edmonton’s lineup.
Despite Sherwood Park’s late push, Ringuette and the Royals’ defensive core held firm to seal the win. The Royals also went perfect on the penalty kill, killing all four power play advantages the Knights garnered, including a key 5-on-3 kill at the beginning of the third period. With timely scoring, a strong goaltending debut, and a full team effort, Edmonton not only banked two points in the standings but also sent a message about their resilience and ability to close out tight games early in the season.
The Royals are back on the ice Sunday night as they take on the Edmonton Mustangs at Bill Hunter Arena. Puck drop is at 7:45 PM.