ECHL Reading Royals

One and Done

November 19, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Ever have one of those dreams where you're happily walking across an idyllic college campus on a brisk, late fall afternoon and you suddenly realize that you've missed the first five weeks of an advanced mathematics class, where every topic builds on the class before-it's too late to drop the class, there's no way your going to catch up on the work, and the Teaching Assistant in charge breaks into a sadistic sneer when you explain your plight? After jolting yourself awake (drenched in a cold sweat), you realize it was JUST A DREAM, and you're so relieved that you jump out of the bed like Ebenezer Scrooge on the 'morning after' greeting everyone you meet with a hearty smile and a big, fat holiday ham for their family. I can't speak for the rest of the members of the Royals' organization, but that's kind of the way I felt on Saturday and Sunday morning of this past week. After a night of tossing and turning and uneasy dreams where I felt like I was missing a game-( how could I have been so careless as to not pay closer attention to the schedule!)-I'd rub the sleep from my eyes only realize that there was NO GAME last night. I guess, after playing eleven games in seventeen days, the routine of playing virtually every night was so deeply engrained that it felt entirely unnatural-if not outright unholy-to have only one game on the schedule this week-and to have Saturday and Sunday off. The one game the Royals did play was on Friday night when the Trenton Devils made their first appearance in team history at the Sovereign Center. The way the game started, it appeared that it would be a festive weekend. In fact, 1:57 into the game, Reading scored the team's quickest goal of the season after Patrik Hersley's first shot ever for the Royals was deflected by Brock Hooton into the net. But, unfortunately for the Royals, it truly would be one-and-done on that night. Reading couldn't find pay-dirt again over the remaining 60 minutes of hockey, and the pesky and opportunistic Devils bagged a couple of goals, including the overtime game winner, to take the two points from the Sovereign Center. Now, I don't want to give the misimpression that I'm complaining about the break. Presumably, it will give the team a few days to get a couple guys healthy-which is no small matter for a team that has lost over forty-five 'player-games' due to injuries to nine different guys during the first five weeks of the season. But, quite honestly, I look forward to getting back to the crammed and crazy schedule that we've learned to love....I need the sleep...

TOP TEN NOTES OF THE WEEK

1. The Royals played only one game during the past week, losing in overtime to the Trenton Devils, 2-1. That marked the Royals' first overtime loss of the season. In the seven year history of the team, the Royals have played in thirty-four games that have been resolved in overtime. The team's record is 18-16 in those games and 6-8 at the Sovereign Center.

2. The lone goal scored by the Royals this week was originally credited to Patrik Hersley, who appeared to have scored in his first game (and on his first shot) as a Royal since being re-assigned from the Manchester Monarchs on November 13. Upon further review, it was determined that Hersley's shot was deflected by center, Brock Hooton, who scored his fourth goal (and eighth point) in fourteen games with Reading this season. That goal was scored on the power play, marking Hooton's second PPG of the season for Reading. All of Hooton's goals this year have come on the special teams-2 PPGs and 2 SHGs.

3. The Royals only goal on Friday came 1:57 into the first period, while the team was playing with the man advantage. That is the quickest goal scored by the Royals this season. The quickest goal in team history for the Royals at the Sovereign Center was scored on April 3, 2005, when Cail MacLean scored ten seconds into the Royals 2-1 win over the Peoria Rivermen.

4. Saturday's game marked the first time in team history that the Trenton "Devils" played at the Sovereign Center. The Royals are 0-1-1 against the Devils this season and will play the team's next game in Trenton (Wednesday, November 21). In fact, the Royals will play Trenton a total of twelve times during the regular season this year-more than any other opponent this year. During the first six seasons of the Royals' history, the ECHL team in Trenton was known as the "Titans," against whom Reading compiled a record of 28-29-6.

5. Defenseman Jeff Likens picked up his second assist of the season when he dished to Patrik Hersley for the one-timer that was deflected by Brock Hooton. Likens is currently riding a two game assist streak for the Royals.

6. Goaltender Jon Quick sustained his first overtime loss as a pro on Friday night against the Devils. Quick is now 1-1 in games ending in a tie for the Royals. (He picked up the win in the Royals shootout victory over Dayton on Sunday, 11/11). The all-time leading goaltender for Reading in total games played to a tie (and total wins in either overtime or a shootout) is Cody Rudkowsky, who played in twenty-four ties over three seasons with Reading. Rudkowsky had a record of 16-8 in games ending in a tie (8-4 in the shootout and 8-4 in overtime).

7. Jon Quick has now played in thirteen games for the Royals-twelve consecutively-and has compiled a record of 7-5-1 in those games. Quick is currently tied for the league lead in wins (7) and minutes played (756) and is second in total saves made (304).

8. Reading's lone goal this week was scored while the team was playing with the man advantage. The Royals have scored at least one power play goal in seven of the fourteen games played this season. After going 1-5 on the power play against Trenton on Friday, the Royals have now scored ten power play goals in eighty-two chances with the man advantage this season, which translates into a 12.2% scoring ratio (23rd in the league).

9. Trenton's lone goal scored in regulation on Friday was a power play goal. The Royals PK has given up at least one power play goal against in twelve of the fourteen games played this season After the Devils went 1-4 on the power play on Friday, Reading's PK has now allowed 19 PPGA in 96 chances for the opposition with the man advantage, which translates into an 80.2% kill ratio (17th in the league).

10. Friday's game marked the seventh time this season (in fourteen games) that Reading's offense has been held to two goals or less. The Royals are 1-5-1 in those games. Overall this season, the Royals average 2.86 goals per game, which ranks 22nd out of the 25 teams in the league.

CLOSING NOTES

1. The Royals are averaging 23.4 penalty minutes against per game, which is the sixth highest total in the league. The highest average PIMs/game for the Royals was established by the 2002-03 team, which averaged 24.65 PIMs against per game.

2. Chris Blight, who became the fifth player in team history to register five points in one game when he scored four goals and assisted on another in the Royals 6-2 win in Johnstown last Saturday (11/10) was named the league's Player of the Week for 11/05 - 11/11/07. Blight is the seventh player in team history to win the ECHL's POW award in this seventh season for Reading.

3. P.J. Atherton, who played to a Plus-7 in the seven games played by the Royals during the month of October, shared the ECHL's Plus/ Minus Award for the first month of the season. Atherton was the fourth player in Royals history to win that award.

4. Bracken Kearns was named as the Royals team captain last Friday. Joe Zappala and Malcolm MacMillan will serve as alternate captains during Royals' home games this season, while Matt Herneisen and Kevin Saurette will wear the "A" during road games this year.

5. Defenseman Donny Grover returned to action in Friday's game after suffering an injury in the season opener and missing twelve games in a row. Over the course of the season, Reading has missed 45 player-games due to injuries to nine different players this season.

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics



ECHL Stories from November 19, 2007


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