ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Strike for 'St. Hat Trick's Day' Win Over Wheeling, 9-3

Published on March 15, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (35-21-6=76, 3rd North Division) of the ECHL exploded for a season high nine goals, as eleven different players picked up at least one point, in a 9-3 victory over the Wheeling Nailers at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. Ned Lukacevic led the way for Reading with his first pro hat trick, which also served to win Royals' fan Julie Deam a $10,000 prize under a special 'St. Hat Trick's Day' presented by the Reading Eagle. Lukacevic was one of seven Royals who registered a multi-point performance on the evening, including defenseman Steven Later who racked up a goal and three assists. Goaltender Terry Denike (8-7-3; 17/20) picked up the win for the Royals; while Curtis Darling (7-18-3; 36/41 in 36:58) took the full brunt of the Royals' attack and gave way late in the second period to Peter Vetri (no decision; 4/8 in 23:02) who finished out the game.

Reading broke a string of five consecutive games in which the opposition scored the game's first goal when Shawn Collymore struck 3:49 into the game for his sixth goal of the season. Reading bagged two more before the first intermission, including the first of the night for Brock Hooton (5:22; 21st of season) and Ned Lukacevic (12:11; 15th of the season). The Royals also registered three second period goals-all three of which were assisted by defenseman Steven Later-starting when Collymore registered the team's first power play goal of the game and his second of the night 4:38 into the period. Lukacevic bagged his second of the game 14:34 into the second on a brilliant power move out of the right wing corner allowing him to gain space at the top of the crease where he jammed the puck behind Darling. Scott Parse picked up his fourth goal of the year, when he finished on a multi-rebound opportunity with 59 seconds remaining in the second to give Reading a 6-0 lead.

In the third, Wheeling broke up Denike's bid for a shutout 3:04 into the period with a short-handed goal by B.J. Radovich. Reading responded 32 seconds later with Hooton's second of the night, after he created a turnover and buried a back-hander from in tight. 5:24 into the third, Lukacevic sent the big crowd at the Sovereign Center into a frenzy-and earned Royals' fan Julie Deam $10,000-when he buried a sharp angle shot from low on the right wing side to register his first pro hat trick. Wheeling refused to give up, picking up another short-handed goal-this one a blast by Vadim Slivchenko 8:47 into the period-and a breakaway goal from Aaron Clarke with 6:08 remaining. In between those two, Later registered his fourth point of the night with a power play goal on a one-timer from the high slot on a brilliant pass from behind the net by Parse.

Reading returns to action tomorrow afternoon (Sunday; 5:05 pm) at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where the Royals will face the Johnstown Chiefs. The game night broadcast on Sunday will begin at 4:35 pm with the pre-game warm-up show on ESPN Radio 1240 am in Ephrata, as well as on the internet through the Royals' website, www.royalshockey.com. Streaming video is available on a pay per view basis through the B2 Networks.

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from March 15, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central