ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Fall In Shootout 5-4 To Trenton In Home Opener

Published on October 21, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Trenton, NJ, - The Reading Royals fell in the shootout, 5-4, to the Trenton Titans in the Royals' home opener before a sellout crowd of 7215 at the Sovereign Center. Reading lead by as many as two goals on three separate occasions in the game-including late in the third-but back-to-back goals by the Titans eleven seconds apart tied the game at four with just over two minutes remaining. After a scoreless overtime, the Titans took the shootout by scoring twice on Royals' goaltender, Ryan Munce (37:05, 17/20, 0-0-1), while the Royals' shooters were only able to score once in five tries.

Reading took the lead four minutes into the hockey game when Arpad Mihaly scored the first of what would prove to be two goals on the night. Mihaly took control of the puck in the left corner, walked out front and slipped the puck behind Trenton goaltender, Joel Martin (1-1-0, 34/38) while the Royals were on the power play. The Royals took their first (of what would be three) two goal lead 1:30 later when James Hiebert scored his first goal as a Royal by re-directing a Dave Borrelli shot from the right wing half-wall. Trenton cut the lead in half at the 8:14 mark of the first when Troy Riddle scored his second goal in as many nights against the Royals by firing a slap shot from 35 feet that slipped through the left armpit of Royals' goaltender, Yutaka Fukufuji (27:55, 13/14, no decision), who would leave the game in the second period after a collision with Trenton's Les Haggett.

The Royals regained the two goal lead (3-1) at the 4:25 into the second period when Jon Francisco simply refused to be denied and was able to fire one by Martin out of the right circle after Francisco had repeatedly battled to gain possession of the puck and get a shot off. Unfortunately, Francisco left the game (as well) with what appeared to be a lower body injury.

In the third, Trenton made it a one-goal again when Les Haggett fired one out of the left circle and through the legs of Munce 5:06 into the period. Reading regained the two goal lead (again) at 4-2 when Mihaly bagged his second of the night after a brilliant feed from defenseman Scott Crawford, who found Mihaly planted in front of the Titan net. Mihaly essentially stick-handled around Martin and slipped the puck in the net with just 4:57 remaining. But Trenton would not go quietly into the night in this one. The Titans scored back-to-back goals eleven seconds apart (by Gregg Johnson-a rocket from the top of the left circle-and Jim Henkel-a re-direct of a shot from the point) to tie the game at four with just 2:35 remaining in the game. After a scoreless overtime, the Royals first four shooters in the shootout were stopped (although the fifth shooter, Kevin Saurette, scored), while Trenton scored on their first and last shots to take the two points out of Reading.

The Royals are back in action tomorrow afternoon (4:35 pm), when the Pensacola Ice Pilots make their first trip in team history to the Sovereign Center. The Royals will honor Larry Courville, who will become the first Royal ever inducted into the Reading Eagle Wall of Honor. For more information, contact the Royals' office at 610-898-7825 or visit the Royals website, www.royalshockey.com.

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