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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals drop another tight one to Trenton, 3-2

December 16, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Trenton, NJ - The Reading Royals (15-9-2=31, 3rd North Division) of the ECHL dropped their fourth one goal decision of the season to the Trenton Devils, 3-2, at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, New Jersey. The Devils scored first, but the Royals responded quickly and took a 2-1 lead with a second period power play goal by Chris Blight. However, the Devils tied the game on a power play goal of their own with 14.8 seconds remaining in the second; and then got what proved to be the game winner while playing with the man advantage mid-way into the third. Reading goaltender Terry Denike (4-3-1; 29/32) suffered his first regulation loss as a Royal; while Trenton's Dave Caruso (7-7-0; 27/29) defeated Reading for the fourth time this year.

Trenton struck first 1:44 into the game when they created a turnover behind the Royals' goal and got the puck out in front low on the right side. Trevor Kell fired three successive shots-each time getting his own rebound-ultimately forcing the puck through for his sixth goal of the year. The Royals tied the game 2:20 later when Brock Hooton found Dany Roussin in front of the Trenton goal. Although Roussin was well-guarded, he was able to slip a low backhander through at the right pipe for his eighth goal of the year-and his seventh in his last seven games.

The Royals took their only lead of the game at the 7:25 mark of the second while playing with the man advantage. The power play unit worked the puck side-to-side and into the prime scoring zone with a crisp and accurate passing sequence which resulted in a point blank shot from the slot by Blight that was rejected by Caruso. Marc Cavosie controlled the rebound at the left side of the goal and slipped it across the top of the crease to Dany Roussin. Roussin's shot was rejected, as well, but the puck popped out to the low slot where Blight took control and ripped it under the bar for his team-leading fifteenth goal of the season. The Devils tied things with a power play goal of their own in the waning moments of the second period. Defenseman Ryan Gunderson ripped one from the right point that blew by Denike, struck the left pipe, and fluttered back to the low slot where it fell to the skates of Colin Pepperall, who slipped it back towards the goal, through a pack of players and into the net with just 14.8 seconds remaining in the period.

The Devils got what proved to be the game winner, while working on their sixth power play chance of the game when they took control and settled in the offensive end. Although the Royals were unable to get possession and clear the zone, the penalty kill appeared to be well positioned, keeping the Devils to the perimeter. However, Kell took control, peeled off the left half wall, went to the top of the left circle and ripped a slap shot that eluded Denike on the short side for his second goal of the night (and fifth in two games). The Royals created a couple of scoring chances down the stretch-most notably when Blight hit the left pipe with a deflection with less than a minute remaining in the game-but the Devils held on to win and run their record to 4-2-0 against the Royals.

Reading does not play again until Saturday night (December 22) (7:05pm) when the Dayton Bombers visit the Sovereign Center. The first 2000 fans in attendance that night will receive an ice-scraper mitten courtesy of Capital BlueCross. The game night broadcast on Saturday will begin at 6:35 pm with the pre-game warm-up show on ESPN Radio 1240 am in Ephrata, as well as on the internet through the Royals' website, www.royalshockey.com. Streaming video is available on a pay per view basis through the B2 Networks.

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