Royals Regular Season Ends with Shootout Loss to Elmira, 3-2

Reading Ends Record Setting Season with Ninety-Nine Points in the Standings

Reading, PA– The Reading Royals of the ECHL (46-19-3-4=99, 1st Atlantic Conference, 1st Eastern Conference), 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, 3-2, in a shootout at Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Royals scored first and held a 2-1 lead into the third period; but the Jackals got a game tying goal mid-way into the final frame and then dominated in the shootout to take the two points and prevent the Royals from reaching the century mark for the first time in team history. Stan Galiev started the scoring when he punched one through from in tight 17:08 into the first for his twenty-third of the year. Elmira responded with a deflection by Jean Bourbeau twenty-six seconds later. Reading took the team’s second lead of the night 15:14 into the second on deflection by Julien Cayer. Elmira tied things back up when Matt Tassone got a point blank wide open chance from below the hash-marks with just 8:02 left in regulation. The Jackals went three-for-four in the shootout. Ian Keserich blanked the three Reading shooters in the skills competition to take the two points. Goaltender Riley Gill sustained his first shootout loss as a Royal (10-3-0-1, 26/28). Royals Kelly Cup Playoff tickets are now on sale. The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series against the Greenville Road Warriors kicks off at Sovereign Center in Reading, PA, on Friday, April 5 (7:05 pm). The game day broadcast on Friday will kick off on CBS Sports Radio 1240 am and 98.5 fm at 6:35 pm with the Pre-Game Warm-Up Show presented by Steve Moyer Subaru. More information is available at 610-898-7825 and through the Royals website: www.royalshockey.com. Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook at Reading Royals and "Follow" us on Twitter @RRoyalshockey for the latest team information.