Royals Record Season's First Shutout in Wheeling, 2-0

Wheeling, WV – The Reading Royals (win, 5-3-0-0=10) 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 (3-4-0-1=7), 2-0, at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Goaltender Brandon Anderson (2-1-0-0) stopped all nineteen shots he faced to record his first shutout of the season—and third as a pro—as Reading extended it current win streak to three straight. The win ran Reading’s record to 3-0-0-0 out on the road this year.

For the seventh time in eight games, the Royals scored first, just as a four-on-four situation ended and the Royals were starting their first penalty kill of the night. Stanislav Galiev forced off the forecheck, created a turnover on the left half-wall, turned and sniped short-side on Wheeling goaltender, Eric Hartzell (0-2-0-1, 31/33). For Galiev, who has had a point in six of the eight games played by the Royals, that was his third goal of the year.

After a scoreless second, Reading got some insurance 12:20 into the third when Louie Caporusso out-battled several Nailers for a loose puck on the left wall. Caporusso freed the puck for Domenic Monardo, who stepped into the left circle and drilled a low bullet that beat Hartzell to the glove side. For Monardo, that extended his goal scoring streak to three straight.

Reading and Anderson held on down the stretch to register the organization’s 200th historic win on the road.

The Royals and Nailers go at it again tomorrow afternoon (Sunday, November 10 @ 5:05 pm) at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania. Fans will be treated to the inimitable antics of the Zooperstars as part of the game day activities tomorrow, which is a Berks Packing Dollar Day ($1.00 hotdogs, soda, popcorn and nachos). The game day broadcast will kick off on CBS Sports Radio 1240 am and 98.5 fm at 4:35 pm. Free streaming audio is available on the Royals website, www.royalshockey.com.

End 13 11-09