ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Come from Behind to Beat Wheeling, 2-1

December 13, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (win, 12-8-1-126) of the ECHL, affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League, defeated the Wheeling Nailers (loss, 11-10-0-022), 2-1, at Santander Arena in Reading, PA.

Resplendent in their 'Ugly Sweater' jerseys, the Royals fell behind early but battled back in the second consecutive one-goal nail-biter over the Nailers. In this one, the Royals needed a third period tie-breaking game winner off the stick of the organization's all-time leading scorer, Ryan Cruthers, and more than one great save by goaltender Martin Oullette-including one from point blank range in the waning moments-to record the team's third straight win.

First Period (1-0, Wheeling) 7:38 (1-0, Wheeling) Wheeling Goal Burton (2); Shea (rebound put back) Wheeling struck first after winning an offensive zone face-off after an icing infraction against Reading. Former Royal Bobby Shea carried down from the left point and threaded a high snap shot through a maze of players that goaltender Martin Ouellette blocked with his upper body. The rebound, however, fell in front of Ouellette and a mad scramble ensued which ended when Jarrett Burton forced the puck over the goal line for his second of the year.

Second Period (1-1, Tie) 8:36 (1-1, Tie) Reading Goal Johnston (2); Alderson and Coetzee (quick snap shot from below the hashmarks) About mid-way into the game, Reading tied it up when Brandon Alderson and Willie Coetzee went to work on the end wall to free a fifty-fifty puck. Alderson ended up with possession and slipped a perfect pass to the low slot, where a relatively unguarded Andrew Johnston stepped in for a one time snapper that slipped under and through goaltender Eric Hartzell for his second of the year.

Third Period (2-1, Reading) 4:01 (2-1, Reading) Reading Goal Cruthers (4); Alderson and Coetzee (slap shot from eight feet inside the blue line) Reading got what proved to be the third period tie-breaking game winner early in the third, when Michael Caruso made a strong play in the defensive zone to start a rush for the Royals. Upon entering the offensive zone, Alderson and Coetzee executed a perfect tic-tac-toe passing sequence with Alderson finally dropping the puck to the trailer, Ryan Cruthers, who ripped a hard slap shot that beat Hartzell low blocker.

As with last night, the Nailers turned up the heat down the stretch, during which they had three third period power play chances. But unlike last night, Wheeling was unable to find pay-dirt, despite generated several quality scoring chances-including one from point blank range with time ticking down on which Ouellette made what might have been the team's best save of the year.

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ECHL Stories from December 13, 2014


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