Royals Pull Away in Wheeling, 6-2

Wheeling, WV – The Reading Royals (3-3-0-0=6) of the ECHL, affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, defeated the Wheeling Nailers (1-3-0-0=2), 6-2, at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia.

The Royals got six goals from six different players—three of which came in a span of 3:27 in the second period—to break out of the scoring doldrums and win the team’s second road game in as many tries.

For the fifth time in six games, Reading struck first on a transition counter-punch after killing off Wheeling’s first power play chance of the game. Dustin Gazley carried into the offensive zone and fired a cross-ice pass to a charging T.J. Syner who fired a short-side bullet under the right armpit of Wheeling goaltender Eric Hartzell (loss, 0-1-0-0, 25/30, 1 eng) for his second goal of the game.

Reading blew things open in the second with three goals in a span of 3:27. Louie Caporusso started it off when he finished a multi-shot chance from the top of the crease for his third of the year at 3:05. 2:35 later, Reading capitalized on the team’s first power play chance of the night when a seeing eye wrister by Ryan Kavanagh found its way through and off the right arm of Hartzell. Domenic Mondardo finished the flurry with his second of the year, which came on a rocket out of the right circle that went bar-and-in over the catching arm of Hartzell 6:32 into the second.

Wheeling broke through 13:44 into the second off a broken play after an offensive zone face-off, when the puck slid on net and Brandon Anderson (win, 1-1-0-0, 24/26) attempted to push the puck out of harm’s way, but Jack MacLellan stepped in gained possession and drilled it home.

The Nailers drew within two 3:13 into the third on a back-hand by Carter Rowney that flew by goaltender Brandon Anderson, who was knocked on his back as a result of a battle in front of the net. Despite Reading’s protestations, the goal was allowed.

Reading regained the two goal lead 14:45 into the third off an odd-man rush tic-tac-toe passing sequence between Dustin Gazley, who recorded three helpers on the night, Michal Cajkovsky and Sean Wiles, whose skates re-directed the puck into the net for his first as a Royal. The Royals added an empty netter from Stanislav Galiev with 47 seconds left to ice the Royals’ second road win in two tries.

The Royals return to action tomorrow (Saturday, November 2 @ 7:05 pm) when the team will face the Elmira Jackals at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania. It is Military Organization and Veteran Appreciation night with the first 2000 adults (15 and over) receiving a camouflage replica jersey courtesy of V&M Towing. The Royals will wear special military-themed jerseys that will be auctioned after the game with the net proceeds going to local military organizations. Fans are encouraged to bring lightly used winter clothing which will be collected by Veterans Making a Difference, who will have a military vehicle in front of Santander Arena for the collection.

Tomorrow’s game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Radio in Reading (1240 am and 98.5 fm) with the Highmark Blue Shield Warm-Up Show at 6:35 pm. Free streaming internet audio is available through the Royals’ website, www.royalshockey.com.

End 13 11-02