ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Take Game One Over Elmira, 4-1

Published on April 3, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL (1-0-0), 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 (0-1-0), 4-1, in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal playoff series at Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. Reading struck first and, after the Jackals quickly tied it up, pulled away down the stretch to take the first game in the best-of-five playoff series.

Goaltender Mark Owuya (win, 1-0-0, 35/37) had a solid outing in his first North American pro playoff game, stretching his current win streak with the Royals to five games. Elmira's Brian Stewart (loss, 0-1-0) sustained only his second regulation loss in eleven decisions against the Royals this season. Reading's power play was disjointed and unable to connect in five chances with the man advantage (0-5). Likewise, the Jackals were unable to break through while playing with the man advantage (0-3).

After a close-to-the-vest start for both teams, the Royals broke through 16:48 into the first when Dave Cowan sprang Yannick Riendeau on a break with a long pass from the defensive zone. Riendeau slipped his bid between Stewart's legs, but the puck squirted wide of the goal. Before Stewart could recover, however, Riendeau found the loose puck and stuffed it in on the left pipe for the first goal of the Royals' playoff season.

Elmira wasted no time tying the game back up-sixteen seconds to be exact. Jimmy Martin settled at the right point, carried around a Royals' forward, and found a clear path through the right circle. Martin gained a prime piec of real estate in the middle of the ice and picked his spot-low blocker-with a perfect snap shot that blew by Owuya for his first of the playoff season.

Reading got what proved to be the game winner 2:10 into the second. Kenny Ryan gained possession at the right side of the Elmira goal. Stewart made an aggressive move towards Ryan, who was able to maintain possession by pulling the puck below the goal line. From a position essentially behind the Jackal net, Ryan was able to bank the puck off an Elmira forward at the top of the crease and into the net for his first of the playoff season.

Ryan added some insurance 7:39 into the third when the Royals rimmed the puck into the offensive end. Riendeau stopped the puck up short on the right half-wall and slid a pass to Ryan who had stepped into the right circle. Ryan quickly fired to beat Stewart for his second of the night, making it 3-1, Reading. Yannick Tifu added an empty netter with 1:14 remaining in regulation to ice the Game One victory.

The Royals and Jackals play Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarter Final best of five series tomorrow (Wednesday, April 4, 2012 @ 7:05 pm) at the Sovereign Center. Wednesday's game night broadcast will start at 6:35 pm with the Red Robin Gourmet Burger Pre-Game Warm-up Show on ESPN Radio 1240 am in Reading. Streaming audio is available free of charge courtesy of America One through the Royals' website, www.royalshockey.com.

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