ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Hold Off Jackals, 4-2

January 2, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Elmira, NY - The Reading Royals of the ECHL (19-12-1-2=41, 1st 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, defeated the Elmira Jackals, 4-2, at First Arena in Elmira, New York. The Royals, who jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, snapped a two game losing streak-and also snapped a two game slide against the Jackals. Goaltender Matt Dalton (Loss, 10-7-0-1; 21/23) rejected a penalty shot opportunity in the first period en route to picking up his tenth win for Reading. Elmira's Tyler Sims (0-2-1; 20/23; 1 eng) sustained his second loss of the year to the Royals. (Goaltender Julien Ellis came in for 1:07 in the third period and did not face a shot.) Reading broke through for the team's second goal on the power play (1-5). Elmira's second goal was also scored while they were on the power play (1-5).

Reading scored 1:43 into the game, when Andrew Sarauer and Olivier Labelle forced the puck on net and crashed for the rebound. The puck popped to the low slot where Ryan Cruthers picked up and ripped it under the bar for his eighth of the year. Reading took a 2-0 lead 6:27 into the first while working on the power play. Marc Cavosie threw a cross-ice pass off the right half-wall to Darren Reid in the left circle. Reid uncorked a perfect one-timer on goal, which Sims rejected; but Nick St. Pierre was able to corral the rebound at the top of the crease and stuff it in for his fifth of the year.

Yannick Tifu was awarded a penalty shot at the 10:09 mark of the first period, when he was hauled from behind on a breakaway; but Dalton rejected that bid. Reading extended the team's lead to 3-0 at the 13:55 mark of the first-four seconds after a power play chance expired. This time Eric Werner put the puck on net from the high slot and Labelle and Sarauer went to work on the rebound; and Sarauer punched it through for his fifth of the season. Elmira broke through with 1:09 left in the first when Joe Grimaldi fired one from the left point that Maxime Gratchev deflected over Dalton for his fourteenth goal of the year.

Elmira drew within one (3-2) with a power play goal 15:03 into the second period. Mike Sgroi forced the puck down the left wall to Justin Donati, who controlled in the left corner. Donati fed the puck to the low slot where Jarrett Konkle was able to settle with his skates and fired low glove side on Dalton for his eighth of the season. The Jackals, who were held to two first period shots, turned it on down the stretch; but Dalton and the Royals were able to hold the Elmira attack at bay. With thirteen seconds left, Andrew Satauer iced it with an empty netter after a great dump and forecheck by Reid and Matt Marquardt freed the puck to Sarauer behind the Jackals' net. Sarauer was able to stuff it in on the wrap around for his second of the night.

Reading has a week off before returning to the ice next Saturday (January 9, 2010 @ 7:05) at the Sovereign Center. 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 6:35 pm.

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 2, 2010


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