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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Fall In Elmira, 4-2

April 2, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Elmira, NY - The Reading Royals (24-41-5= 53; 7th North Division) of the ECHL fell behind early, but battled back to tie only to give the lead back in a 4-2 loss to the Elmira Jackals at First Arena in Elmira, New York. The loss in the final road game of the year for the Royals dropped the team's record to 11-20-5 away from the Sovereign Center this year. Goaltender Beau Erickson (loss; 1-1-1; 22/26; 40:00) played two periods and sustained his first regulation loss as a pro. Michael Ouzas (no decision; 6/6; 20:00) came on in substitution for the third period. The Jackals' Michael Teslak (win, 16-10-4; 21/23) earned the third star in the win. Reading's power play was blanked for the thirty-first time this year (0-6). The Jackals scored two goals, including the game winner, while playing with the man advantage (2-8).

Elmira struck 2:18 into the game, when Pierre Luc Faubert crashed the right wing wall and created a turnover for the Jackals. Chaz Johnson took control and powered his way to the top of the crease, where he got a couple of whacks at it before the puck slid between Erickson's legs and across the goal line. The Jackals took a 2-0 lead 5:17 into the first, while on the power play. Chris Korchinski carried deep into the slot and ripped a hot, high snap shot that beat Erickson to the glove side for his twenty-third of the year.

Reading got on the board 4:01 into the second, when Dan Rudiseula blocked a shot in the high slot and chipped the puck into the neutral zone, sending Chris Stevens on a clean break. Teslak rejected Stevens' original bid, but Stevens stayed with the play and chipped the rebound over Teslak for his nineteenth of the season. The Royals tied the game 9:13 into second when a fierce forecheck by Stevens, Vince Rocco and Rudisuela resulted in a mad scramble in and around the Jackals' goal. Rocco was able to punch the loose puck in for his fourth of the year.

Elmira re-took the lead with their second power play goal of the game at the 12:09 mark of the second. An unforced turnover in the neutral zone gave a break to Wes Cunningham who carried deep into the offensive zone and fired a hard snap shot that Erickson stopped; however, the rebound fell to the left side of the goal where a charging Faubert forced it in for his twenty-fourth of the year. The Jackals got some insurance 16:53 into the second when another turnover resulted in a break for Paul McIlveen, who fired from short range, although the goal light went on, the referee did not signal goal, and play continued. At the first whistle, the referee conferred with his linesmen and goal judge and credited the Jackals with the goal. The third period was primarily a defensive struggle, as the Royals' offense-and particularly the power play-sputtered down the stretch.

The Royals face the Trenton Devils on Friday (April 3, 2009 @ 7:05) at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. Friday's game will be broadcast live on the Royals Radio Network Presented by Transmissions by Arbogast (True Oldies WRAW 1340 am in Reading; and The Ticket WLAN 1390 am in Lancaster), as well as on the internet via webcast hosted by Sportsjuice.com, which can be accessed through the Royals website. To become a part of Royals hockey, call 610-898-PUCK or log onto www.royalshockey.com.

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