ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Drop a Nail-Biter in the Shootout, 2-1

Published on January 17, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL (1st Atlantic Division, 23-10-2-149), affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, were defeated by the Trenton Devils (2nd North Division, 14-18-1-339), 2-1, in a shootout at Sovereign Center, Reading, Pennsylvania. In front of large and boisterous crowd in attendance for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday matinee game, the Royals repeatedly pounded the pressure on the Devils and their goaltender, Shane Connelly, but weren't able to break through until a third period power play. After a dramatic five-on-three penalty kill in overtime, the Royals got to the shootout where they lost for the first time in four tries this season. Goaltender Michael Hutchinson (sol, 3-1-1-1; 30/31 in 64:10; 2/5 in shootout) was solid and had to make several critical stops during the Devils' overtime power play. The Devils' Shane Connelly (win, 3-8-2-1, 33/34 in 65:00; 3/5 in shootout) was nothing short of spectacular particularly during several sequences of sustained offensive pressure. Reading finally solved Connelly with a third period power play goal (1-4). Trenton scored the game's first goal in the second period while playing with the man advantage (1-4).

After a scoreless first, during which the Royals created a number of Grade-A scoring chances that were rejected by Connelly, the Devils broke through on their first power play opportunity of the night. Trenton struck pay dirt when Ryan Ginand forced a puck from below the goal line on the left side to the top of the crease, where Kory Nagy was down on both knees battling a couple of Reading defenders but was still able to get enough of the bouncing puck to bat it through Hutchinson for his sixth of the season 6:46 into the second period. Reading's power play goal came at the 6:53 mark of the third, when Ben Gordon slid a pass from left side of the Devil net to the low slot where Cody Wild stepped up and ripped a snap shot glove side on Connelly for his first as a Royal. Neither team could break through again-either in regulation or overtime-despite a late game power play chance for Reading and an overtime five-on-three for Trenton. In the shootout, Reading got goals from two shooters (Yannick Riendeau and Casey Haines); but Connelly rejected the other three (Gordon, Eric Castonguay and Alain Goulet). After Hutchinson rejected the first two bids in the shootout by the Devils (Ryan Hayes and Matt Lombardi), the Devils' last three shooters all came through (Jeff Prough, Ginand, and Darcy Zajac) to take the two points.

The Royals travel to Estero, Florida, for three straight games against the Florida Everblades starting Wednesday (January 19 @ 7:30 pm). The Royals game day broadcast will kick off with the pre-game warm-up show presented by The Works at Wyomissing on the Royals Broadcast Network (WRAW 1340 am in Reading, www.1340wraw.com) at 7:00 pm. You can also catch all of the Royals away games this season on Royals TV exclusively on BCTV courtesy of Boscov's Travel, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Season tickets for the Royals' 2010-11 season are currently available. To become a part of Royals hockey, call 610-898-PUCK or log onto www.royalshockey.com .

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from January 17, 2011


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