ECHL Reading Royals

Table Turns as Royals Fall to Elmira, 3-1

October 27, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals (2-2-0-04) of the ECHL, affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, were defeated by the Elmira Jackals (1-2-0-02), 3-1, at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania.

In the back-end of a home-and-home between Reading and Elmira, the tables were turned on Reading's 3-1 win in Elmira last night. Tonight, it was the Royals who generated the far greater number of scoring opportunities only to end up on the short-end of the stick-literally. Because in this one it was a pair scored by Elmira defenseman Jordan Southorn while Reading was short-handed that proved to be the difference in the Jackals first win of the season.

The Jackals struck on their second power play chance of the night 18:12 into the first when Southorn set up for a snap shot in the upper portion of the mid-slot. Southorn's shot hit a stick-presumably belonging to a member of the Royals-on the way in and deflected over the catching arm of goaltender Riley Gill (loss, 2-1-0-0, 22/25) for Southorn's first of the year.

Elmira got what proved to be the game winner on their next chance with the man advantage 4:05 into the second period. On this one, Southorn was set up just inside the offensive blue-line in the middle of the ice for a hot-rocket one-timer that blew by Gill-and everyone else in front of the net-low on the glove side.

Reading finally solved Elmira goaltender Scott Greenham (win, 1-0-0-0, 46/47) 8:56 into the second after a long sequence of offensive zone puck possession. Reading was buzzing in the offensive end, and T.J. Syner dug a puck off the right wing boards, cut toward the middle and set one on a tee for defenseman Michal Cajkovsky, who rifled a one-time bullet that whizzed by Greenham's right ear into the net. For Cajkovsky, that was his first as a pro. For the Royals, the momentum had shifted heavily in their favor.

That was short-lived. 1:20 later the Jackals' Philip-Michael Devos made a brilliant steal and pass off the deep right wing boards to the low slot, where Elmira's Artem Demkov found a soft seam for a quick shot that slid under Gill to give the Jackals some cushion at 3-1.

Reading pushed hard, but in a theme that has borne itself out in all three home games played by the Royals so far, Reading had any number of near-misses and found the body parts of a hot netminder on the shots that appeared to be targeted for a direct hit.

The Royals face the Greenville Warriors on Wednesday, October 30 @ 7:05 pm when the Greenville Road Warriors travel to Santander Arena. That night-Haunted Hockey Night-the Royals will wear special Halloween-themed jerseys which will be available for purchase on the Royals on-line store immediately after the game. The first 1,000 adults will receive a Royals Championship Moment T-Shirt giveaway courtesy of National Penn Bank.

Of course, for every Wednesday game this year, fans can take advantage of the Steak-Umm Burger Meal and Ticket Deal, when $20.00 will not only get you admission to the game, but also a burger, fries and large soda. Season ticket holders can also purchase this deal for $9.00 through the Royals Front Office or the VF Outlet Box Office.

The Royals game night broadcast on Wednesday kicks off at 6:35 pm with the Highmark Blue Shield Warm-Up Show on CBS Sports Radio in Reading (1240 am and 98.5 pm). Free internet streaming audio is also available on the Royals website.

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 27, 2013


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