Tables Turn as Royals Fall to Elmira, 3-1

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals (2-2-0-0=4) 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 (1-2-0-0=2), 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.

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