In the final minute, with Rogers clinging to a one-goal lead over Armstrong & Cooper, Courtney Johnston zigzagged from the right side toward the net and beat goalie Paige Kopka.

The goal – which at first seemed to be the finishing touch on an impressive opening-night win for the Royals – ended up proving pivotal. The Wings scored just 33 seconds later, and then nearly tied the game with four seconds remaining, but Rogers held on for a 4-3 win at the Rogers Activity Center on Thursday night.

Rogers dominated possession most of the game. Wesloh said his players made a few poor decisions at the end and panicked a little bit, but he was thrilled the team emerged with a win.

“The one thing we need to work on is playing with the lead,” Wesloh said. “We hadn’t done that a lot, but we’ll get there.”

Armstrong & Cooper knotted the score two minutes later, but it didn’t take long for Rogers to surge back in front.  The power-play goal bumped Rogers’ lead to 2-1, where it remained after one period.

Rogers held a 3-1 lead after two periods, but the Wings didn’t disappear quietly, as Hayley Hanson scored at the 12:56 mark. The Royals’ focus became to not let any late-game goals in, while the Wings searched desperately for another strike.

Both of those things happened, yet the result or final margin didn’t change. The Royals won their opening game of the season with a mix of timely shooting and a balanced attack.

“It’s a great relief,” Wesloh said of getting the team’s first win. “Last year it took us a little while. We played nine overtime games last year, so I’m really glad we didn’t have to do another one here right off the bat.”

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