No. 10 Royals Continue Climb With Key Road Win in Buffalo
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Redeemer Royals, ranked No. 10 in the latest AAU North America rankings and sitting first in the UNYCHL West Division, continued their strong season Friday night with a hard-earned road victory over the University at Buffalo at Steele Hall Ice Arena. The win reinforces Redeemer's place among the AAU's top programs and positions the Royals for another climb in next week's national rankings.
Buffalo opened the scoring early, but Redeemer immediately began dictating the pace, controlling possession and generating extended offensive-zone time. Midway through the first period, the Royals were rewarded for their pressure, converting to even the game. Buffalo responded with a push of their own, especially on the man advantage, but Redeemer's penalty kill stood tall, denying multiple chances and keeping the period level. The Royals' defensive structure was evident throughout as they eliminated second-chance looks and protected the middle of the ice. It was Ty Storie who broke the deadlock with a neat finish nine minutes from the break, giving the Royals some breathing room heading into the first intermission.
Redeemer swung momentum firmly in their favor in the second period. The Royals capitalized on a Buffalo turnover inside the neutral zone, turning it into a go-ahead goal. The period featured fast, back-and-forth hockey with only one minor penalty called, and Redeemer made the most of the opportunity. A solo effort from LaSalle, Ontario, native Jax Ackland extended the lead to 3–1 and quieted the home crowd.
In the third period, Redeemer delivered a complete and composed finish. Just three minutes into the frame, Asher Cabral added a key insurance marker, widening the lead and providing crucial breathing room as Buffalo attempted to claw back into the contest. The Royals tightened defensively from that point forward, blocking shots, winning open-ice duels, and getting timely saves to keep the puck out of the back of the net. Buffalo managed a late power-play goal, but Redeemer closed out the night with confidence, controlling possession and managing the clock effectively.
Despite the victory, the Royals will look to clean up their discipline after spending 16 minutes in the penalty box on Friday night. Still, the gritty win underscores Redeemer's identity as one of the elite AAU Division II programs. Offensively, Redeemer spread the scoring around with goals from Ethan Smith, Ty Storie, Tucker Copeland, Ackland (2), Cabral, and Noah Wildeboer. With the national rankings tightening at the top, the Royals' continued momentum comes at a pivotal time as they push toward playoff seeding and a potential AAU National Championship invitation.
Redeemer now turns its attention to another significant matchup as the Royals return home to face the St. Bonaventure on Friday, February 6 at 7:00 PM at the Gateway Ice Centre in Stoney Creek. With conference standings and national positioning on the line, the showdown promises to carry major implications as the Royals look to keep their surge rolling.
