Royals back on track with a pair of weekend wins

Matt Zilke from Tavistock battled Tillsonburg’s Kyle Brezinski on Friday night. Both players were assessed fighting majors and game misconducts. Photo courtesy of Tavistock Royals

By Lee Griffi

The best way to break a losing streak is to start a winning streak, and that’s exactly what Tavistock did with a pair of Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL) victories over the weekend against a pair of teams below them in the standings.

The key was an explosive offence that scored 16 times.

The weekend kicked off with a 9-4 home-ice win over Tillsonburg on Friday. The Royals built a 9-0 lead with six and a half minutes left in the third period before the Thunder was able to beat Tavistock goalie Joseph Clark four times.

Fifteen of 18 Royals skaters found the scoresheet, led by Issac Westlake’s goal and two assists. Cam Leslie, Colin Martin, Matt Zilke, Sean Leslie, Devon Kropf, Lucas Bast, Michael Capicotto and Mitch Atkins added two points each.

The Royals dominated the Milverton Four Wheel Drives with a 7-0 victory in Wellesley on Saturday night.

Bryan Foster and Kropf led the attack with three-point performances with Leslie scoring twice and Callan Christner adding a pair of assists. Patrick Vulgan and Trevor Sauder added single markers for Tavistock as the Royals outshot the Drives 48-30.

The game was played in Wellesley as part of the Applejacks Alumni celebration. The Royals took on the Four Wheel Drives during an afternoon tilt, followed by an alumni game, a free skate and a Junior C game where the Tavistock Braves battled the Wellesley Applejacks. Tavistock and Milverton each have several former Wellesley Junior C players on their rosters.

The Royals’ next action is on Saturday night at home against the Dunville Aeros, who sit just two points behind Tavistock in the Southern Division standings.

The Royals annual and very popular Drive-Thru Pork BBQ is back in 2026. The event runs from 4-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17. Tickets are available for pickup at South Easthope Insurance in Tavistock, by contacting any player or executive member or by email at taviroyals@gmail.com.