ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Best Nailers in O.T., 4-3

Published on February 20, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA – Forward Jon Francisco (1g, 1a) scored the game-winning goal at the 3:56 mark of overtime to lift Reading to a come-from-behind, 4-3 victory over Wheeling at the Sovereign Center.

The Royals jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead on the strength of two power play goals by captain Cail MacLean (2g). The two goals were nearly identical, as Reading (28-14-5) worked the puck around in the Nailers' zone befoe finding an unmarked MacLean for a backdoor feed. The Middleton, NS native slammed both well-placed passes past Wheeling (30-17-3) goaltender Joe Exter (21 saves). Forwards Eric Fortier (2a) and Graig Mischler (2a) registered assist on both tallies, which came at 3:52 and 6:38, respectively.

At the 8:16 mark of the period, the Nailers bench was assessed a two-minute, minor infraction for unsportsmanlike conduct. In addition, Wheeling head coach Pat Bingham was ejected from the contest.

Just 14 seconds into the second stanza, the Nailers cut the deficit in half. Winger Ed McGrane (1g) scored on the man advantage for the visitors, with winger Brendon Hodge (1a) and defenseman Ray DiLauro (1g, 1a) drawing the assists. McGrane's goal was the fastest goal scored by an opponent on Sovereign Center ice to begin a period this season. Then 2:36 later, Evgeny Lazarev (1g, 1a) netted an unassisted, even-strength goal to tie the contest at 2-2. The Royals managed just three, second period shots, setting a new season-low for a single period.

After 40 minutes of play, the game was tied and Wheeling held a 19-11 shot advantage.

In the third period, the two teams traded markers. DiLauro started it off with the second power play goal of the game for the Nailers. His point shot beat Reading goaltender Matt Yeats (20 saves), who appeared to be screened on the slap shot. Forward Steve Crampton (1a) and Lazarev assisted on DiLauro's seventh point of the year against the Royals.

Francisco tied the contest at 3-3, when he tipped home forward Larry Courville's (1a) shot at 7:33 of the third period. Forward Preston Mizzi (2a) also picked up an assist on the equalizer. Neither team scored in the final 12-plus minutes of regulation to send the contest into overtime.

Defenseman Tom Galvin (1a) and Mizzi drew the helpers on Francisco's third game-winner of the season. With the win, Reading achieved its 13th win on home ice, while moving to 9-3-1 after being tied heading into the second intermission. The final shots were 25-23 in favor of Reading, with the Royals notching the only two shots in the extra session.

Reading returns to the ice on Tuesday, February 22, as the Johnstown Chiefs come to the Sovereign Center to continue the Keystone Cup series. Faceoff is at 7:05 p.m. The Classic Café pre-game show gets underway approximately 30 minutes before the puck drops. Listen live on the Royals' web site, www.royalshockey.com, or locally on ESPN Radio 1240.

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 21, for Royals Weekly from 6-7 pm. Royals All-Star #13 Jon Francisco and #22 Larry Courville and 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 heard on ESPN radio, 1240AM and via the worldwide web at www.royalshockey.com.

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ECHL Stories from February 20, 2005


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