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Royals Win Another One-Goal Squeaker Over Florida, 5-4

April 15, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL) - Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL (2-0-0), affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, defeated the Everblades (0-2-0), 5-4, in Game Two of their American Conference Semi-Final Series at Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Royals scored early and held three separate one goal leads before building a two goal lead late in the second and holding off the Everblades down the stretch. The win gives the Royals a two-games-to-none lead in the best-of-seven series, which heads to Estero, Florida, for four consecutive games starting Saturday night. Matt Dalton (5-0-2, 38/42) picked up his third consecutive playoff win-and his fifth over the last ten days. Chris Beckford-Tseu (3-3-0) sustained the loss for Florida. The Royals' power play was held off the board (0-2); while the Florida power play was perfect on the night (3-3).

For the sixth time in seven playoff games, the Royals scored the game's first goal-this one forty-eight seconds into the first period when Ryan Cruthers forced a turnover in the offensive zone and tracked the loose puck down in the right corner. Cruthers then fired a perfect pass to the weak side pipe where Ben Gordon slipped in for the back-door re-direct and his first of the playoff season. Florida bounced back with their first of what would be three power play goals on the night at the 10:41 mark of the first. After an extended sequence of offensive zone puck possession, Ross Carlson stepped off the top of the left circle and ripped one that deflected off a Royals' defender and into the upper right corner of the net for his second of the playoff season.

Reading took the team's second one-goal lead twelve seconds into the second when Greg Scott forced the puck below the goal line in the offensive zone. Marc Cavosie gained possession and threw a perfect pass into the low slot where a hard charging Gavin Morgan found a seam and got off quick snap shot that beat Beckford-Tseu for his first goal of the playoff season. 1:22 later, for the second time of the game, Florida tied the game with a power play goal. Goaltender Matt Dalton took possession behind the Royals' net and attempted to clear the puck up the middle of the ice; however, Milan Gajic stepped in and gloved the clearing attempt down and was able to get off a shot that fluttered into the upper portion of the net for his seventh of the playoff season.

Reading regained the lead at the 8:57 mark of the second when Dinos Stamoulis fired a long break out pass to Greg Scott at the offensive blue line. Scott dropped the puck to a trailing Cavosie, who carried deep into the right circle and ripped a perfect shot low blocker on Beckford-Tseu for his fourth of the playoff season. But for the third time in the game, Florida tied the game up at the 11:48 mark of the second with another power play goal. On this one, Mathew Pistilli slid a pass from deep on the left side of the ice across the top of the crease to the right pipe, where a waiting Brandon Buck drilled it home for his second of the playoff season.

Reading then took the lead for what would prove to be for good with back-to-back goals by Daniel Steiner. The first came after an extended sequence of offensive zone puck possession for the Royals. Alex Berry settled and carried to the high slot, where he fired a low snap shot. Steiner, who was moving toward the shooter with his back to the Florida goal, deflected the puck top shelf blocker side on Beckford-Tseu at the 12:49 mark of the second. Then Steiner got what proved to be the game winner at the 15:11 mark of the second when he stepped into the left circle and ripped a hard snap shot high glove side for his fourth of the playoff season.

Florida cut it to a one-goal lead once again (5-4) at the 9:39 mark of the third when Pistilli fired a hard shot from the low slot that Dalton kicked out with the left pad. The rebound came back on the stick of Pistilli, who got a second shot that Dalton kicked out with the right pad; but this rebound fell to the top of the crease, where Ryan Lang stepped in, took control and stuffed it in for his third of the playoff season. After that goal, the tension built and Florida kept the pressure on; but the Royals were able to hold off the charge to run the team's record to 4-0-1 in at the Sovereign Center in this playoff season.

The Royals and Everblades head to Germain Arena in Estero, Florida, for Game Three of their best-of-seven American Conference Semi-Final Series on Saturday (April 17 @ 7:30 pm). The Royals game night broadcast on the Royals Radio Network presented by Transmissions by Arbogast will begin at 7:00 pm.


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