ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Dropped in Elmira, 3-1

December 3, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL (7-11-2-218, t-3rd Atlantic Division), 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 Elmira Jackals (11-9-0-022, t-1st Atlantic Division), 3-1, at First Arena in Elmira, New York. The Royals scored first, but for the fourth time this year (in six games played) the Jackals came from behind to take the two points from the Royals, who are currently riding an eight game winless streak (0-5-1-2).

Goaltender Karel St. Laurent (Loss, 2-6-0-0, 33/36) made a number of spectacular stops, particularly in the first when the Jackals outshot the Royals 19-7, but sustained his fifth straight loss. Brian Stewart (7-3-0-0, 28/29) beat the Royals for the third time this season. Reading's power play was held off the board for the fourth straight game (0-5), which included two third period opportunities with the man advantage. Elmira got the game winner while playing on the power play (1-6), although the Royals PK had several big kills including a major power play assessed against the Royals' Marvin Degon late in the second for an illegal check to the head.

Reading broke through 4:47 into the game when Yannick Tifu took control behind the Elmira net and slid a perfect pass to the low slot, where a charging John Scrymgeour took a quick snap shot that beat Stewart to the stick side.

Elmira tied that game 16:25 into the first when Rob Bellamy carried into the offensive end and dropped to the trailing Jordan Pietrus who fired a high snap shot. St. Laurent got a chunk of the puck, but not enough to keep it out. Two minutes later, the Jackals got the goal that proved to be the game winner while playing with the man advantage. Mike Ratchuk gained possession at the left point, walked the line and fired a perfect pass to a waiting Mike Radja, who teed up a one-timer from deep on the right side that blew by St. Laurent on the short-side for his tenth of the year.

After a scoreless second, the Royals pushed hard in the third, outshooting the Jackals 14-6; but the Jackals got the only goal late in the final stanza when Kevin King slipped a pass to a breaking Dustin Gazely, who raced behind the Reading defenders and made a great backhand, forehand moved and appeared poised for an easy stuff-but St. Laurent responded with a brilliant left pad save. Unfortunately, the rebound fell free in the crease and the first player to the puck was the Jackals' Radja, who punched in the insurance marker.

The Royals return home next Thursday (December 8, 2011 @ 7:05 pm), when the team will face the Trenton Titans at the Sovereign Center. Select draft beer will be just $2.00 that night. The game night broadcast will start at 7:05 pm with the Red Robin Gourmet Burger Pre-Game Warm-up Show on ESPN Radio 1240 am in Reading. Streaming audio is available free of charge courtesy of America One through the Royals' website, www.royalshockey.com.

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ECHL Stories from December 3, 2011


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