ECHL Reading Royals

Deja Vegas All Over Again...

January 7, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


This past week was the second anniversary of the only western trip in the seven year history of the Royals. That trip is fondly remembered by those of us who experienced it not least because the team rang off five consecutive wins-not to mention New Year's Eve in Las Vegas (which we studiously continue not mention). But it was more than just the wins-or the Vegas strip-that left its imprint from that trip. Prior to those travels, a continual stream of call-ups through December of 2005 had led to discussions about installing a revolving door in the team's locker room. But as we boarded the plane for Stockton, California, we finally felt safe-seemingly insulated by three thousand miles-that our team as it stood at that moment would remain in tact at least through those five games out west. That optimism lasted until we arrived on the tarmac at San Francisco's airport, when the phone rang and several key players were suddenly boarding other flights for parts unknown. So there we stood, a team short in numbers and perhaps a certain degree of talent, and with no hope for anything to change. And, that's where the story begins and ends and, I guess, remains. It's a moment in time steeped in 'us against the world' that (unfortunately) really can only be fully appreciated by the 'us'. This week, however, I had occasion to return to that moment in time. The flash-back actually started at home, when the Royals-decimated with call-ups and injuries-patched together a roster of just 14 skaters, which included a local veteran and three new additions, but somehow pulled it together well enough to tie things up in the third on an improbable goal from one of the newcomers before the Jackals' final counter-punch (fueled by a fluky fifth goal) floored the Royals. When we arrived in Cincinnati, things looked even more bleak, as the team was down to just 9 core skaters and was about to face the top offense (and defense) in the league in their own building, who were, by the way, riding an eight game winning streak. And that's when the déjà vu hit high gear, as the players-apparently fueled by confidence in their goaltender-not only hung in the game; but actually held a two goal lead after 55 minutes, which the relentless Cyclones erased in the waning moments; but the undaunted Royals still pulled out the two points in the shootout. On Saturday, with essentially the same roster, in a straight up kookfest, the Royals built a 3-1 lead after one; but from that point forward were forced into repeatedly playing catch-up against the buzzing Cyclones- and did so 3 separate times-before a fluke goal with 2:30 left proved to be the difference. Despite the fact that the team left the building that night empty handed, I don't think the boys left the building empty, because, know it or not, they have a moment in time that can't be bought or sold (or even accurately conveyed) but for some reason seems to keep coming back when you need it most.....

TOP TEN NOTES OF THE WEEK

1. The 7-3 loss to the Elmira Jackals last Wednesday extended the Royals' winless streak to a season high three games (0-2-1). That streak was snapped with the 4-3 shootout win in Cincinnati on Friday. Last Wednesday's loss to Elmira also extended the team's home winless streak to a season high three games (0-2-1)-which comes directly on the heels of the team's ten game home unbeaten streak (9-0-1).

2. The seven goals scored by Elmira last Wednesday was a season high against the Royals. That total was topped on Saturday when the Cincinnati Cyclones registered eight goals against Reading. The Royals have allowed five goals or more in five games this season and have compiled a record of 0-4-1 in those games. Reading currently has a 3.09 goals against average, which is thirteenth in the league.

3. In all three games played by the Royals this week, the team was outscored in the third period-by a total of 9 - 3. (-6). Over the past nine games, Reading has been outscored in the third period in six of those games-by a total of 16 - 5 (-11). This year, the only period in which the opposition has outscored the Royals is the third-by a total of 31 - 26 (-5).

4. Including Friday's 4-3 shootout win over Cincinnati, five of the last nine games for the Royals have ended regulation time in a tie. In those five games, the Royals compiled a record of 3-2. Two of those games were resolved in overtime, and the team compiled a record of 1-1 in those games; and three of the games went to the shootout, with the Royals going 2-1 in those games. Over the course of the season, Reading has played in 8 ties, compiling a record of 5-3 in those games (2-2 in overtime; and 3-1 in the shootout).

5. By scoring back-to-back goals last Wednesday in the 7-3 loss to Elmira, Charlie Kronschnabel registered his first multi-goal game as a pro. Kronschnabel also scored the Royals' first goal in Friday's 4-3 shootout win in Cincinnati; and he scored his first short-handed goal as a pro (to re-tie the game at five) in Saturday's 8-6 loss to Cincinnati. Kronschnabel is currently riding a three game goal (and point) streak (4g-1a=5pts).

6. Peter Ferraro and Tom Boudreau were signed the by the Royals prior to Wednesday's game and both of them registered their first ECHL points in that game. Ferraro scored a goal (to tie the game at three 7:22 into the third period) and Boudreau picked up an assist on Reading's second goal that night. Boudreau also registered an assist in Friday's game and his first ECHL goal in Saturday's 8-6 loss. Defenseman Brian Boulay also registered his first point as a pro in Saturday's game.

7. Brock Hooton picked up at least one point in every game played by the Royals this week, extending his personal point streak to a team high nine games (5g-8a=13pts). Hooton registered two assists in Friday's shootout win in Cincinnati for his fourth multi-point performance of the year. Hooton also scored on his shootout attempt on Friday, which was his team leading third successful shootout shot of the year. Hooton also leads the active players in plus/minus (+12).

8. Ned Lukacevic scored on the first penalty shot opportunity (at the 18:07 mark of the first period) of the season for the Royals in Saturday's loss to Cincinnati. That was the sixth penalty shot in team history for Reading-and the third time that the Royals' shooter scored (Greg Hogeboom scored on both of his penalty shot chances last year). Lukacevic also assisted on two other goals on Saturday night to register his first three point game of the year for Reading (and his fourth multi-point game). Lukacevic also scored the 'game winning' shootout shot (shooting fifth) for the Royals in Friday's 4-3 shootout win in Cincinnati .

9. The Royals power play was held off the board (in 11 chances) in the first two games this past week; but the Royals picked up the team's first PPG against Cincinnati (in four games) on Saturday. Reading's PP has been blanked in 14 games this year. The Royals have scored two power play goals in their last 28 chances with the man advantage (7.1% scoring ratio). Over the course of the year, Reading is 27 for 185 on the power play (14.6% scoring ratio) (21st in league).

10. Reading's penalty kill snapped a streak of six consecutive games of giving up at least one power play goal, when the Royals kept Elmira's PP off the board (in 3 chances last Wednesday). The Royals PK also blanked Cincinnati (in 7 chances with the PP) on Saturday, marking the second time this year that Reading's PK has blanked the opposition in back-to-back games. Cincinnati scored 3 PPGA on Saturday, marking the 12th time in which the Royals have given up more than one PPGA.

CLOSING NOTES

1. The Royals are currently in the middle of a segment of the schedule during whch the team will play eleven games over the course of nineteen days. (beginning on December 26, 2007 and concluding January 13, 2008). The Royals are currently 2-3-1 in this busy stretch of the schedule.

2. Charlie Kronschnabel's short-handed goal on Saturday night was the ninth SHG of the season for Reading., which is tied with the South Carolina Stingrays and Bakersfield Condors for the league lead in that category.

3. P.J. Atherton scored the Royals' sixth goal (to tie the game for the third time 7:02 into the third period.). For Atherton, that was his sixth goal of the season and his twentieth point of the year-which places him tied for fourteenth in scoring amongst defenseman in the ECHL.

4. Brett Hemingway snapped an eight game goal scoring drought when he scored the Royals' third goal in Friday's 4-3 shootout loss on Friday. Hemingway also scored in Saturday's 8-6 loss in Cincinnati, and he is currently riding a two game goal scoring streak.

5. Dany Roussin snapped a five game goal scoring drought when he scored the Royals' second goal on Friday, and also scored the Royals' fourth goal (while the team was on the power play) in Saturday's win. Roussin is currently riding a two-game goal scoring streak.

6. On Saturday night, for the second time this season, Reading scored the game's first goal but ended up losing in regulation. The Royals have a record of 12-2-1 when scoring the first goal. The Royals led in that game 3-1 after one; and Reading is now 6-2-1 when leading after one period.

7. Four Royals have played all thirty-three games for Reading this year: Brock Hooton, Ned Lukacevic, P.J. Atherton, and Charlie Kronschnabel. As of this stage of the season, the Royals have had 38 players on the team's roster.

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 7, 2008


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