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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Hold Off and Hold On To Beat Jackals, 2-1

October 11, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL won their first pre-season game of the year, defeating the Elmira Jackals, 2-1 at First Arena in Elmira, New York. Royals goaltender Kris Mayotte held off an early attack by the Jackals long enough to allow his teammates to get their skates underneath them-and at the other end of the game it was a game saving stop by the other Royals' goaltender of the night, Jeff Pietrasiak, that preserved the win. The Royals, who went 1-11 in the penalty filled affair, out-shot the Jackals 32-27. Reading's penalty killers were perfect in the nine short-handed situations they faced.

After weathering an early storm and three consecutive power play chances for the Elmira Jackals-thanks in large part to the play of Mayotte (19/19; 29:57), the Royals struck first 6:51 into the game when Joe Zappala broke up an Elmira clearing attempt with a diving stretch in the high slot. Defenseman P.J. Atherton swooped in and took control of the loose puck, carrying deep on the left wing side before cutting hard to the front of the net where Dany Roussin chipped it over the prone Elmira goaltender, Dan LaCosta, for the first goal of the pre-season. Reading went up 2-0 late in the second period with time ticking down on the team's eighth power play of the evening, Zappala took control on the left wing half wall in the offensive end. As the penalty killers backed off, Zappala threw a diagonal pass back to Rob LaLonde who was planted high in the slot. LaLonde settled and threw a wrister through traffic that appeared to change direction (in an upward manner) as it went through the traffic out front, eluding LaCosta high to the glove side on the way in with just 17 seconds remaining in the period. The Jackals broke up the shutout bid by the Royals goaltenders with 55.3 seconds remaining in the game with their goaltender pulled and a sixth attacker on the ice. After sustained pressure in front of the net and a couple of failed clear-out attempts by the Royals defenders, Mike McLean stuffed it home to make it 2-1. In the waning moments Elmira continued to pressure with the sixth attacker on the ice, and goaltender Jeff Pietrasiak (7/8; 29:08) made a pipe-to-pipe game-saving toe stop on Kevin Ulanski who was wide open and all alone at the side of the net with what appeared to be essentially a tap in-until Pietrasiak stoned him.

The Royals will play their second and final game of the pre-season Monday night (7:05 pm) against the Jackals at the Body Zone Sports & Wellness Center. Limited tickets are still available at the Royals office (620-898-7825) or at the Body Zone. The Royals' home opener is on Saturday, November 3, 2007, against the Cincinnati Cyclones. Royals' full Season Tickets and Total Choice Flex Plans are now on sale. To obtain more information on becoming a part of Royals' hockey, call 610-898-PUCK to speak with Royals' ticket representative or visit the Royals website, www.royalshockey.com.

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ECHL Stories from October 11, 2007


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