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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Snap Win Drought In Toledo, 3-1

December 17, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Wheeling, WV - The Reading Royals (12 - 10 - 4 = 28; 1st North Division) ended a nine game winless streak at the Toledo Sports Arena that stretched over two seasons dating back to April 19, 2005 by defeating the Storm in Toledo, 3-1. The Royals got a goal early in the first from Arpad Mihaly and another mid-way into the third by John Snowden (and an empty netter with 1:21 remaining from Greg Hogeboom), as well as solid goaltending from Jeff Pietrasiak (5 - 3 - 0; 30/31), to extend the team's road win streak to a season high three games.

Reading struck 1:24 into the game when a Dany Roussin pass sprang Mihaly into the offensive zone on the right wing side. Using the Toledo defender as a screen, Mihaly uncorked a bullet that beat Toledo's goaltender, Dominic Vicari (2 - 4 - 0; 37/39, 1 eng) high to the glove side for his sixteenth goal of the season. The Storm responded shortly thereafter with a short-handed goal. With the Royals on the power play, Toledo's Chris Blight carried into the offensive zone and was able to drop a pass to the high slot where defenseman Tim Songin had joined the attack. Songin ripped a high slap shot that Pietrasiak knocked down with his glove hand. However, the rebound landed on the stick of the Storm's Nick Parillo who slid it through Pietrasiak's legs for his fourth of the season 4:58 into the period.

Despite extended stretches of up-and-down, back-and-forth action through the remainder of the first, all of the second, and a good portion of the third, neither team could score until the 9:41 of the third when the Royals' forecheck kept a loose puck alive in the offensive zone. Defenseman Shawn Germain ended up with the puck in the high slot and slid a pass to James Hiebert who was able to control it low in the left circle out of his skates. Hiebert pressed towards the Toledo goal and as he was forced below the goal line dropped a brilliant pass to the interior portion of the left circle, where John Snowden waited with time, space and opportunity. Snowden drilled a laser high to the stick side of Vicari for his sixth of the season-and what proved to be the game winner. Toledo pressed down the stretch and pulled their goaltender when they were awarded an offensive zone faceoff with 1:29 remaining. Reading gained control of the puck, however, and defenseman Jason Becker cleared the zone with a bank shot off the left wing boards down into the Toledo zone. A race for the puck ensued, and it was won by a diving Greg Hogeboom who got enough of the puck to push it into the empty net to ice the victory for Reading with 1:21 remaining.

The Royals continue their five game road trip against the Charlotte Checkers at Bobcats Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, December 21 (7:00 pm). Royals' game night broadcasts can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1240 am (and on the internet through the Royals' website, www.royalshockey.com), beginning thirty minutes before the opening face-off. Streaming video is also available for $6.00 per game through the B2 Networks, which can be accessed through the Royals' website.

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