A Memorable Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is a time of reflection for a lot of people after many men and women put country ahead of their own wants and needs so many years ago when it came to defending freedoms. There were a number of ceremonies that happened around the country today, and many people have their own moments where they pay respects to the brave men and women of the military who sacrificed so much for us to have the freedoms we do today. Most of these ceremonies happened this morning, though, as the world got back to its normal routines in the afternoon and evenings, but it certainly will be a memorable day for the man to the upper-left thanks to a big moment tonight!

That guy is none other than Tyler Kirkup, and Tyler's road to professional hockey took him from the MJHL's Virden Oil Capitals pictured above to the NCAA's Bemidji State Beavers and, currently, with the ECHL's Reading Royals where he finished last season with no points in six games before starting the season with no points in six games this season. I don't know if #7 is a lucky number for Kirkup, but tonight will be one that he'll want to log in the ol' memory bank as Reading was in Portland, Maine to play the Maine Mariners!

Why will this game be memorable for Kirkup? Let's go to the video!
Kirkup's one-timer from one knee at the top of the right face-off circle found space between the wickets on Josh Boyko for Kirkup's first professional goal and point at 11:39 of the second period to make it 2-2 between Reading and Maine in tonight's action! Alec Butcher and Dominic Cormier drew the assists on Kirkup's goal, and you can see defenceman Will MacKinnon point to the bench as I'm sure the Royals were calling for that puck!

I've had the pleasure in following Tyler's career for some time after getting to know his parents through his sister, Karissa, and I have to say that this is one of those nights where I'm happy for Tyler and his family after seeing all the miles that his family has accumulated in supporting both Tyler and Karissa in their hockey endeavours. For Tyler to finally get that big goal, I'm ecstatic for him and his family, and I'm sure this will be the first of many now that he's thrown that oversized primate off his back.

In continuing the good news, the Royals also claimed victory on this night as Kirkup's goal was part of a 5-3 victory for the Royals over the Mariners. Pat Nagle made 24 saves for the Royals to help them to victory as the Royals improve to 2-4-1 with a gritty road win over a division rival. They'll battle again tomorrow at 5pm ET as the Royals look for the two-game sweep this weekend.

Congratulations to Virden's Tyler Kirkup on his first professional goal and his first professional point while helping the Royals secure a big win tonight! Remembrance Day will always have meaning to many people, but the Kirkups now have another reason to remember November 11, 2022!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!