ECHL Reading Royals

Reading Chopped By Chiefs, 4-1

Published on April 2, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (38-26-7=83, 3rd North Division) of the ECHL fell behind, failed to bury their chances-which were numerous in the second period-and then went rather quietly into the night in a 4-1 loss to the Johnstown Chiefs at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. The loss extended the Royals winless streak to three games (0-2-1), as the team fell to 1-4-1 in the last six games with one more regular season game to go. Goaltender John Murray (3-3-0; 20/24) sustained his third loss of the year; while Andrew Penner (6-12-1; 31/32) beat the Royals for the first time this season.

The Chiefs struck 5:24 into the game, when Andrew Martens was able to slip the puck behind Murray from below the goal line on the right side. The puck slid to the mid-crease where Mike Sgroi punched it in for his twenty-fifth goal of the year. Johnstown went up 2-0 at the 13:20 in the first, when Alexander Imbeault found a seam in the slot where he took a feed from behind the Royals' net and fired it home for his twenty-third goal of the game.

Reading got on the board 23 seconds into the second period, when Kevin Saurette picked off a point-to-point pass high in the Royals' defensive zone while the Chiefs were on the power play. Saurette took off on a breakaway, and he buried the opportunity by going five-hole on Penner for his fourteenth goal of the year. After cutting the lead to one, the Royals turned on the heat and created numerous scoring chances, but just couldn't find the back of the net. Reading squandered a golden opportunity late in the second when Sgroi picked up a five minute elbowing major (and three game misconducts for his explosive reaction to the original call); but the Royals were unable to capitalize on the major power play. From that point forward, the air went out of this one for Reading-and the Chiefs bagged a couple of third period goals (at 7:48 by Andrew Martens and at 11:57 by Mike Knight-a power play goal) to add insult to injury, as the Royals went rather meekly into the night.

The Royals finish the regular season on Friday night (7:05 pm) at the Sovereign Center, when the team hosts Fan Appreciation Night. A number of prizes will be given out, including a vacation for a family of four to Orlando, Florida, courtesy of Boscov's Travel. The first 2500 fans on Friday night will receive a "Mini-Matt" Herneisen bobblehead courtesy of Comcast. Friday's broadcast will be on the internet only (and can be accessed at www.royalshockey.com) due to a conflict with the Reading Phillies. Streaming video is available on a pay per view basis through the B2 Networks.

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ECHL Stories from April 2, 2008


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