Sports stats



ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Bounced By Bombers, 4-2

February 5, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Dayton, OH - The Reading Royals (14-29-3= 31; 7th North Division) of the ECHL battled back from an early two-goal deficit with a pair of first period power play goals; but were not able to do it a second time as the Dayton Bombers pulled away to win, 4-2, at the E.J. Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. The loss stretched the Royals' winless streak to three (0-2-1) with four games to go on the season-long seven game road trip. Michael Ouzas (14-12-1; 41/45) made a number of difficult stops at big moments in the game, but sustained his second consecutive loss; while David Shantz (10-6-2; 25/27) won in his first start since returning to the Bombers on assignment from the Florida Panthers for the second time this season. Both of Reading's goals were scored while the team was playing with the man advantage (2-7). Dayton also scored a pair of power play goals (2-8).

The Bombers struck 6:15 into the first period, when Mike McLean dug the puck off the end wall and fed Jarret Lukin in the right circle. Lukin walked around a Reading skater who came out to meet him, and drilled a low snap shot stick side for his seventeenth of the season. The Bombers built their first two goal lead 2:04 later, while playing with the man advantage. A Reading defender gained possession on the end wall and had an uncontested opportunity to clear. But his flip up the center of the ice was gloved down by Tomas Zaborsky, who settled and fired low stick side for his eleventh of the year.

Reading cut the Dayton lead to 2-1 at the 10:09 mark of the first with the team's first power play goal of the night. Tim Branham settled at right point and ripped a rocket towards the Bomber net. David Nimmo stepped to the right side of the crease and deflected the puck by Shantz for his seventh of the season. The Royals tied the game 2:40 later with another power play goal. Branham sprang Dan Rudisuela with a long stretch pass from the defensive zone to the offensive blue line. Rudisuela took the pass in full stride, slipped behind the Dayton defense, broke to the net and buried a back-hand for his tenth of the year.

Dayton got what proved to be the game winner 3:03 into the second period, when Christian Gaudet carried down the slot and dished to Justin Chwedoruk charging into the right circle. Chwedoruk ripped a quick snap shot short-side for his first goal as a Bomber and his ninth of the season. The Bombers got a little insurance 1:14 into the third period while playing with the man advantage. It appeared that the Royals were going to be able to clear the zone and kill the penalty to start the third, but Justin Bowers kept the play alive on the left half wall and slid a cross-ice pass to Mike McLean, who stepped deep into the right circle and fired it behind Ouzas who came sprawling out of the net in an attempt to make a dramatic stop. The Royals were unable to muster the necessary scoring chances to come back from the two goal deficit for a second time, although they created a flurry of chances in the waning moments while on the power play with the goaltender pulled.

The Royals' road trip continues this Friday (February 6 @ 7:30 pm et) when the team travels to Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, New Jersey, to take on the Trenton Devils. Friday's game will be broadcast live on the Royals Radio Network Presented by Transmissions by Arbogast (True Oldies WRAW 1340 am in Reading; and The Ticket WLAN 1390 am in Lancaster), as well as on the internet via webcast hosted by Sportsjuice.com, which can be accessed through the Royals website. To become a part of Royals hockey, call 610-898-PUCK or log onto www.royalshockey.com.

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 5, 2009


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