ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Pull Out Second Consecutive OT Win Over Johnstown, 5-4

March 24, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (39-19-7=85) came out like a house on fire, pouring 19 shots on goal-and scoring three times-in the first period, but allowed two separate two-goal leads to slip through their fingers before coming back to pick up a late overtime game winner and beat the Johnstown Chiefs, 5-4. With this win-the second overtime win in a week's time over the Chiefs-the Royals extended the team's home winning streak to five games and remained in first place in the North Division of the ECHL's American Conference.

Despite pounding the pressure early on the Chiefs, it was Johnstown who struck first at the 11:38 mark of the first period, when Jean Desrochers stuffed one in at the right side of the Royals' net. Although it appeared that Cody Rudkowsky (22-8-3, 18/22) had stopped the attempted jam, the goal light went on; and, after conferring with the goal judge, the referee ruled it a goal. Twenty seconds later, however, the Royals tied things at one, when Eric Werner ripped one from the right point that snuck by Johnstown goaltender, Gabe Winer (no decision, 13/15 in 13:38), to give Werner his eleventh goal of the season. Reading took a 2-1 lead a minute and twelve seconds later, when Jason Kostadine sprang Malcolm MacMillan up the right wing side and into the offensive end. MacMillan dropped the puck to the top of the right circle where Tyler Hanchuck ripped a hard low snap shot that beat Winer for his second goal of the season. Twenty-eight seconds later, Johnstown substituted goaltender Mike Betz (1-1-3, 33/36, in 50:32) for Winer. However, the Royals struck on Betz 1:32 after he entered the game, when a strong forecheck by Hanchuck kept the puck at the right point. Hanchuck then fed Royals' newcomer, Chris Greene at the top of the crease. Greene in turn slipped a brilliant tap pass to Shay Stephenson planted at the left side of the net, and Stephenson was able to finish for his seventeenth goal of the season, giving the Royals their first two-goal lead of the night. However, the Chiefs' Desrochers struck for a late power play goal-with just 23 seconds left in the period-on a nice turn and wheel from the right side of the Royals' goal to make it 3-2, Reading.

In the second, the Royals took a two-goal lead for the second time in the hockey game, when Doug Christiansen bagged his thirty-third goal of the season while the Reading was on the power play. Christiansen was able to walk out from behind the Johnstown net and take a couple of pokes at the puck from in tight; and, on the second attempt, the puck slipped over Betz and into the goal. Johnstown, however, came back again with a couple of goals by Justin Kelly late in the second to tie things at four. On the first, Kelly finished from in tight on a brilliant back-door feed from Dmitri Tarabrin at the 17:47 mark in the second; and, on the second, Kelly intercepted an errant clearing attempt by the Royals that resulted in a clear shot from the slot that beat Rudkowsky with 1:39 remaining in the period. After a scoreless third in which Reading outshot the Chiefs 13 to 4, the Royals continued to pound the pressure in overtime; and, ultimately it paid off when Chris Bala walked in the offensive zone on the left wing side and ripped a 35 foot slapped shot that slipped between the Betz' legs with just 55 seconds remaining in overtime. For Bala, that was his fifteenth goal of the season and his fourth game winner of the season, as the Royals ran the team record to 6-3 in overtime this season.

The Royals return to the Sovereign Center tomorrow night for the "Drive to A Million Brought To You By Commerce Bank" when the Royals take on the Trenton Titans (7:00 pm), as well as honor the team's one-millionth fan to pass through the Sovereign Center turnstiles, while hosting a celebration that befits this historic milestone. Please note that, on that night, the Main Gate (Seventh & Penn Street) will be the only gate open until the one-millionth fan is actually identified after which all other entrances will be opened. The Main Gate will open at 5:30 pm to all ticketed fans that night. Royals' game day broadcasts can be heard on ESPN Radio 1240 am in Ephrata and on the internet at www.royalshockey.com with pre-game beginning 30 minutes before the opening face-off. Streaming video is also available through the Royals' website on a pay per view basis provided by B2 Networks.

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ECHL Stories from March 24, 2006


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