ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Edged by Elmira, 3-2

Published on February 6, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL (23-20-1-3=50, 2nd East 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 (24-17-3-2=53, 1st East Division), 3-2, at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. Elmira jumped out to an early two goal lead, and the Royals were never able to draw even, despite cutting the Jackals' lead to one twice in the game. This loss extended the Royals losing streak to three games and ran the team's record to 1-6-0-0 in the Royals' last seven games. For the Jackals, the win extended their unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1-0) and stretched their lead for first place in the East Division to three points. Goaltender Matt Dalton (Loss, 14-15-0-2; 27/30) dropped to 4-4-0-0 in eight starts against Elmira this year; while Elmira's Julien Ellis (12-7-1-0; 29/31) also drew to .500 in four starts against Reading this season (2-2-0-0). The Royals power play was blanked for the fifth time in the last six games-and for the seventh time in the last eleven (0-5). But Reading's penalty killers kept the opposition's power play off the board for the first time in seven games (0-2).

Elmira broke through on their first shot of the game 4:14 into the contest while playing a man short. With Chaz Johnson in the penalty box for an undisciplined roughing minor, Justin Donati broke through the neutral zone on a short-handed break into Reading's end. Donati carried deep into the left circle and slid a perfect back-door feed to Matt Lowry who was trailing the play and skated unfettered to the right side of the crease for an easy tap in for his fifth goal of the year. 1:30 later the Jackals extended their lead to 2-0 when Brendan Connolly carried to the top of the right circle where he fired a snap shot on net. Dalton came out to make the stop-and appeared to have done so-but the puck somehow snuck through as Dalton fell backwards in the crease for Connelly's tenth of the year.

The Royals broke through 42 seconds into the second period, when Marc Cavosie forced off the fore-check behind the Jackals' net, taking possession of the puck and skating out towards the right side of the net. Cavosie fed Charlie Kronschnabel at the top of the crease. Rather than shooting, Kronschnabel was able to slip a back-hand pass to Andrew Sarauer at the right side of the crease. Sarauer forced the puck under the out-stretched arm of Ellis for his tenth goal of the year. Shortly after that goal, Elmira got what proved to be the game winner while the Royals were pressing hard in the offensive end. Jackals' defender Joe Grimaldi was able to gain possession and fire a long aerial pass to Justin Donati who was way behind everyone at the offensive blue line. Donati settled with the glove, carried into the offensive end on the right side, and dished through the slot to Tyler Donati who had joined the rush. Tyler Donati settled and ripped a perfect shot high stick side on Dalton who made a valiant but vain lateral move in an attempt to keep the puck out.

Reading came hard in the third period and drew within one again (3-2) 13:06 into the final period with a short-handed goal by Charlie Kronschnabel. With Andrew Sarauer in the penalty box for interference, Aaron Brocklehurst took control deep in the defensive zone and fired a long pass to Ben Gordon in the neutral zone. Gordon cut into the offensive end and dished to Charlie Kronschnabel on the right wing side. Kronschnabel ripped the puck behind Ellis for his tenth of the year. The Royals pressed hard down the stretch; but despite generating a number of prime scoring chances as time ticked down, Reading was never able to break through for the tying goal, as the team dropped to 12-10-0-2 at the Sovereign Center this year.

The Royals are off until next Friday (February 12, 2010 @ 7:00 pm) when the team travels to the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey to take on the Trenton Devils. The Royals game night broadcast on the Royals Radio Network presented by Transmissions by Arbogast will kick off with the pre-game warm-up show at 6:30 pm.

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