ECHL Reading Royals

First Period Explosion Lifts Royals over Storm, 6-2

February 13, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA – Six different skaters scored for Reading, including four, first period markers, as it blasted Toledo, 6-2, at the Sovereign Center.

Forward Larry Courville's (1g) eighth goal of the season opened the game's scoring at the 3:47 mark. It was the veteran's third goal since the third period of yesterday's 4-2 win over Atlantic City. The unassisted tally came after a turnover directly in front of Storm goaltender Logan Koopmans (4 saves).

The Royals would add to their lead right before the halfway point of the period, on a Graig Mischler (1g, 3a) breakaway goal. Mischler moved in alone of Koopmans after Toledo gave the puck away to Reading forward Cail MacLean (1g, 1a). Mischler made a move to his backhand before lifting the puck over Koopmans for a 2-0 lead.

However, the Storm countered, cutting the deficit in half with a power play goal at 15:29 of the frame. Winger Tyler Knight (1g, 1a) collected his 19th of the year, beating Reading goaltender Barry Brust (22 saves). Forward Sam Paolini (1g, 1a) and defenseman Dany Eberly (1a) setup the goal.

The Royals answered with the final two goals of the period to lead 4-1 after 20 minutes of play. Forward Eric Fortier (1g, 1a) added his 11th goal of the campaign at 16:21, with Mischler drawing the lone assist. Mischler then setup forward Preston Mizzi's (1g) tally that came with only 46 seconds left before intermission. Defenseman Tom Galvin (1a) registered his third helper in the last two games on the play that resulted in Mizzi's eighth goal of the year and second in the last two contests.

Former Reading goaltender Scott Fankhouser (15 saves) replaced Koopmans to start the second period, after the Royals notched four goals in a period for only the third time this season.

Reading buried the only goal of the second stanza on a goal by forward Jamie O'Leary (1g). Defenseman Ian Turner (1a) took the initial shot, which Fankhouser kicked out to O'Leary who was stationed at the left post. O'Leary's goal at the 12:45 mark gave him his third point in four games with the Royals. Forward Mike Sandbeck (1a) was also credited with an assist on the goal. After two periods, Reading had a 20-16 shot advantage and a 5-1 cushion on the scoreboard.

The two teams traded goals to start the third period. First, Fortier scored just 25 seconds into the period, marking the fastest goal to start a period at home for the Royals. Coincidentally, Fortier also has the fastest goal scored by Reading on the road, when he dented the twine 10 seconds into the second period at Dayton on January 30, in a 4-2 win.

Toledo picked up its second goal of the match 2:19 after Reading took a 6-1 lead. Paolini was the beneficiary of the Storm's second man advantage goal of the game, netting his 26th of the season. Former Royal Scooter Smith (1a) and Knight recorded the helpers on the final marker of the afternoon.

Reading returns to the ice against Trenton on Tuesday, February 15, at 7:05 p.m., which is the rescheduled game from January 22 that was postponed due to weather conditions. The Royals will be wearing special Canadian sweaters during the contest and in addition the first 2,500 fans receive an action shot of Royals All-Star #16 Ryan Kinasewich.

Don't forget, Royals' fans, be sure to stop by the Classic Café – off Route 183 in Bern Township, just two miles north of the Reading Airport – on Monday, February 14, for Royals Weekly from 6-7 pm. Royals All-Stars #13 Jon Francisco and #16 Ryan Kinasewich will be our special guests. Meet coach Derek Clancey as well, plus win prizes courtesy of Bowl-O-Rama, the Classic Café, Fox East Theatres and the Reading Royals. Royals Weekly can be found on ESPN radio, 1240AM and via the worldwide web at www.royalshockey.com.

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 13, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central