Radja Returns with Hat Trick, Guides Jackals Past Royals
March 3, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Reading, Pa. - Mike Radja returned from a month-long stint in the AHL with a hat trick on Saturday night at the Sovereign Center, leading the Elmira Jackals (35-21-2-2) to a 4-1 win over the Reading Royals (27-25-3-4).
Radja, who rejoined the Jackals earlier in the day from the Houston Aeros, finished off a centering feed from Artem Demkov just 1:21 into the first period to put Elmira up 1-0.
With the Jackals on their first power play, the Royals' Matt Caruana poked a puck out to center, raced into Elmira's end, and pushed the puck past Brian Stewart to give Reading a short-handed goal and tie the game, 1-1, at 13:45.
Moments later, Elmira went on its second power play and took the lead right back. Radja stole a pass from Mikael Bedard and fired a puck from the slot past Mark Owuya to put the Jackals back in front, 2-1, at 15:25.
The Jackals extended their lead to two goals in the middle frame, as Dustin Gazley drove a loose puck past Owuya from the slot to make it 3-1 at 9:48. Radja had the assist on the goal, giving the fourth-year pro a four-point evening.
Radja took a puck at the top of the left circle, spun around to the slot, and wristed a puck in at 11:28 for his hat-trick goal, putting the contest away by increasing Elmira's advantage to 4-1.
Stewart (20-10-1-0) made 27 saves on 28 shots in the victory, his sixth against the Royals this season. Owuya (8-2-2-1) turned aside 32 shots in the loss, one night after making 47 saves for Reading in a 3-1 win over the Jackals.
Elmira finishes out its three-game series with Reading on Sunday at First Arena at 4:05 p.m. To reserve your seats call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto JackalsHockey.com. 4:05 p.m.
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