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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Give Up Three in the Third as Nailers Win, 3-2

January 29, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Wheeling, WV – Three, third period goals by the Nailers, including one with just 36 seconds left in regulation, allowed them to best the Royals, 3-2, in Wes Banco Arena on Saturday night.

The two teams skated through a scoreless first period, marking the fourth straight stanza Reading was held without a goal. The Royals out-shot the home team, 12-8, through 20 minutes, as the top two defensive teams in the ECHL met for the seventh time this season.

Late in the second period, Reading (22-12-3) broke the ice. Forward Eric Fortier (1g) tallied his eighth goal of the season with only 45 second left before intermission. Forward Ryan Kinasewich (1a) became the team's leading scorer (14g, 20a) on the play, as he picked up his 20th assist. Forward Preston Mizzi (1a) also helped setup the goal that opened the game's scoring.

Just 1:20 into the third period, Wheeling (24-14-2) tied the game on a goal by forward Pascal Morency (1g, 1a). Forward Brandon Hodge (2a) extended his scoring to streak to nine games, as he registered an assist on the game-tying marker. Minutes later, Nailers' winger Ed McGrane (1g), the team's leading scorer, gave the home team their first lead of the night on a power play tally at 4:21 of the third. Winger Steve Crampton (1a) and defenseman Ray DiLauro (1a) picked up the assists on McGrane's 13th of the year.

The Royals responded late in regulation, as forward Mike Sandbeck (1g) tallied to tie the contest at 17:11. Defensemen Beau Geisler (1a) and Tom Galvin (1a) drew the assists on Sandbeck's second goal in a Reading sweater. However, Wheeling secured its 14th home victory of the year on winger Yevgeny Lazarev's (1g) goal with under a minute to go in regulation. Lazarev's shot beat Reading goaltender Barry Brust (21 saves) inside the right post for the game-winner. Hodge and Morency added the assists on Lazarev's first point against the Royals this year. Nailers' goaltender Joe Exter earned his first win of the season against Reading, as he turned aside 34 shots for the victory.

The defeat marked the first time the Royals lost in regulation after leading through two periods to drop to 15-1-1 on the season. The final shots were 36-24 in favor of the visitors, as Reading suffered their eighth road loss of the year, and second in as many games. The Royals now own a 4-3-0 record against Wheeling in the 2004-2005 campaign, while trailing them by three points in the standings.

These two North Division rivals will square off three more times before season's end.

Reading's next game is on Sunday, January 30, as it continues its weekend road swing with an afternoon tilt in Dayton. Faceoff from the Nutter Center is at 2:00 p.m., with the Classic Café pre-game show getting underway approximately 30 minutes before the puck drops. Listen live on the Royals' web site; www.royalshockey.com, or locally on ESPN Radio 1240.

Don't forget, Royals' fans, be sure to stop by the Classic Café – off Route 183 in Bern Township, just two miles north of the Reading Airport – on Monday, January 31, for Royals Weekly from 6-7 p.m. and Royals Roundtable from 7-8 p.m. Meet Royals Defenseman #7 Reagan Rome and forward #20 Preston Mizzi. As always, Reading head coach Derek Clancey will be there answering questions from the fans. Plus, former Flyers tough guy Dave Brown will be our special guest. On Mondays, the Classic Café features $1.00, 16-ounce draft beers!

Win prizes just for showing up! Royals Weekly can be heard on ESPN Radio, 1240 AM, or worldwide via the Royals' website.

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