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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Win Saturday Night Classic on Teddy Bear Toss Night

December 14, 2019 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (15-8-4-0, 34 points, 2nd North) erased a pair of deficits, Corey Mackin scored the Teddy Bear Toss goal and Garrett Mitchell scored the game-winning goal with 5:43 remaining to defeat the Brampton Beast, 5-4, Saturday in front of 4,713 fans at Santander Arena.

On the game-winning strike, Mitchell drove the right-wing circle, shot and hit Alex Dubeau's (loss, 22 saves, 5 GA) water bottle. Initially ruled "no goal" on the ice, the call was overturned after it was determined the puck completely crossed the goal line.

Before the late comeback, Reading had to wage a first-period reversal. David Pacan scored 19 seconds into the game with a wrist shot that flew past Felix Sandström's (win, 4 GA, 36 Saves) right hip. Trent Bourque scored three minutes later to give the Beast the early 2-0 lead.

Corey Mackin answered with his eighth goal of the season 12 seconds later. Mackin's goal triggered the release of 3,369 teddy bears to the ice, all to be donated to local charities. Garret Cockerill and Mackin sent pucks past Alex Dubeau (5 GA, 22 Saves) 41 seconds apart to force the Royals in front at the end of the first, 3-2.

Daniel Leavens tied the game at three with the only goal of the second period. He found himself all alone on the right side of the slot for a tap in at the back door. Christopher Clapperton swatted a loose puck past Sandström to give the Beast a momentary 4-3 lead early in the third period, but Steven Swavely answered with a shot from the right wing three minutes later to tie the game at four. That set up the game-winning strike over Mitchell, which happened a couple minutes later.

More the Merrier

Mackin, Cockerill, Swavely and Mitchell combined for the 12th game this season in which four or more Royals scored in a game.

Reading is 10-2-0-0 this season when getting contributions from four or more players, including Friday and Saturday's wins against Brampton.

The Royals also defeated their Sunday opponent, Worcester, with goals from four players on Nov. 13 in a 6-4 win on goals by Hayden Hodgson, Ralph Cuddemi, Trevor Yates and Frank DiChiara.

Mackin Mania

Corey Mackin's teddy bear goal was the eighth of his rookie season and he added another in the first; which moved him into third-place on the Royals in goals (9g), behind Ralph Cuddemi (21g) and Frank DiChiara (10g).

Mackin scored twice on Saturday, both in the first period, to record his first-career multi-goal game. He is up to ten goals in his 37-game ECHL career.

The Royals are 7-0-1-0 when Mackin records a strike this season.

It's raining Teddies

The annual Teddy Bear Toss game helped local charities provide bears for kids in Berks and the surrounding counties. Mackin's first period goal 4:11 into the game sent the bears flying, leading to a brief pause in play while Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty fought with Royals forward Trevor Gooch.

Gritty, disappointed with his lack of comradery with Gooch, threw a large stuffed creature at him. In response, Gooch swiped multiple teddy bears back at Gritty, and the fight grew from there, culminating in a draw from the judges, Kirk MacDonald and Nick Luukko.

The Royals end their weekend tomorrow at 3:05 P.M. away against the Worcester Railers in their second matchup this season. The Royals defeated Worcester, 6-4, at the DCU Center on Nov. 13. This will mark the final game until Christmas for Reading with its next game at Maine Dec. 27.

The Royals are at Worcester Sunday at 3:05 p.m. Watch on BCTV (Ch. 15 Comcast, Ch. 19 Service Electric) or listen at mixlr.com/readingroyals. The next Royals home game is Tues., Dec. 31 at 4:00 p.m.

Single-game tickets and mini-plans are on sale by visiting royalshockey.com/promotions, calling 610-898-7825 and visiting Santander Arena and The Weidenhammer Box Office at 700 Penn Street, Reading, PA.

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 14, 2019


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