The Coronation Royals played their first game of the 2023-24 season on the road in Delburne, where they lost a closely contested game.
Breydon Zemlak, with an assist by Wilson Zach and Tanner Sharp, opened the scoring for the Delburne Outlaws just over four minutes into the game. Kolby Ringdahl, assisted by Rory Davidson and Zach Fernandez, scored again barely 20 seconds later.
In the first period, Mike Numeier picked up a pair of penalties and Hunter Baldwin picked up a single penalty against the Royals; Rory Davidson picked up the sole Outlaws penalty.
At the end of the first, the score was 2-0 for Delburne.
Numeier got the scoring started in the second period just under two minutes in with assists by Koby Seiger and Baldwin . The Outlaws struck back 20 seconds later with Kyle Ringdahl putting a puck into the net with assists by Rory Davidson and Zach.
In the dying minute of the period, Colten Brigley found the back of the net for the Royals, leaving the score at 3-2 to end the period.
The second period was a slug-fest as far as penalties were concerned; The Royals took five penalties in the period as did the Outlaws.
Both teams had their defensive games going in the third period, with the sole goal being tallied by Outlaw Elijah Johanson, with an assist by Brayden MacDonell.
Colby Schacher took the only penalty for the Royals in the third, when he went to the penalty box for two minutes with just under five minutes left for roughing.
Zach Fernandez joined Schacher in the box for offsetting penalties, then picked up a second roughing penalty with just over a minute left in the game.
The final score was 4-2 for the Outlaws. Royals goalie Zeke Leuck let in four goals on 49 shots; while the Outlaws goalie allowed just two goals on on 43 shots.
Both teams accrued 37 penalty minutes.
Delburne currently sits at the top of the East Central Senior Men’s Hockey League with four points and two wins on the season.
The Coronation Royals are next in action on Nov. 3 when the team hosts the Stettler Imperials at home.