Royals Come From Behind Again to Beat Elmira, 4-1

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals (win, 31-19-1-1=64) of the ECHL, affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, defeated the Elmira Jackals (loss, 20-26-2-3= 46), 4-1, at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania.

For the fifth time in the last ten games, Reading were able to come-from-behind to take the two points after falling behind to the opposition. In this one, Elmira struck first, but the Royals rang off four straight from four different players, including two on the power play to push the team’s record back to a season high twelve games over .500. Goaltender Brandon Anderson (won, 16-8-1-0, 21/22), who held the opposition to one goal for the third time in his last four games, won for the twelfth time in his last fourteen decisions for the Royals.

Elmira held the early territorial advantage and capitalized 8:39 into the first when Ludwig Karlsson carried across the offensive blue line and fired a low snap shot that flew under the left arm of Anderson for Karlsson’s eleventh of the year.

Reading got the equalizer 14:19 into the first when defenseman Marvin Degon drilled an elusive snapper from the right point that goaltender Scott Greenham (loss, 8-13-1-2, 33/37) kicked out with his right pad. The puck fell to the low slot where T.J. Syner punched back the rebound for his fourteenth of the year.

The Royals got the game winner on the team’s third power play chance of the night when Brett Flemming hot rimmed one down the right wing wall. Greenham went behind the net in an attempt to stop the puck, but missed. The puck continued to the left half-wall where Josh Brittain stepped in, stopped it, and fired a pass to the low slot, where Domenic Monardo was driving to the net for an easy slam dunk before Greenham could recover and get back in the net.

1:43 into the third, Reading got some insurance, when Mike Banwell picked off an attempted stretch pass by the Jackals at Reading’s defensive blue line and quickly fired a stretch pass of his own directly to Sean Wiles, who was cutting at the Jackals’ defensive blue line. Wiles was off to the races, charging through the slot and ripping a bullet over the left shoulder of Greenham for his fifteenth of the year.

Reading tacked on another on the team’s sixth power play chance of the night. Michal Cajkovsky took control at the left point and made a deft cut to the middle where he ripped a bullet through the pile out in front of the Elmira net. Greenham made the save on that shot and kicked out the first rebound attempt, as well. The second rebound however, bounced to the low left shot where Ryan Cruthers was positioned for a quick punch back and his twelfth of the year.

From that point, the Royals were able to hold off the Jackals, who exhibited a bit of frustration, most notably when Danny Hobbs was assessed with a five-minute match penalty for slashing shortly after he had missed a power play scoring chance with 7:55 remaining in regulation. Nonetheless, Anderson anchored the Royals’ defense down the stretch to pick up his sixth win in six decisions against the Jackals (6-0-0-0).

Reading takes on the first place South Carolina Stingrays at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania, on Friday (February 28 @ 7:05 pm). That night, the first 1500 fans 15 years of age and older will receive a travel mug courtesy of BARTA. For $25.00 fans can get a ticket to the game and partake in the all-u-can-eat buffet Mama Lucia Royal Feast Friday in ‘The Corner’ by calling the Royals’ office by 12:00 noon on Thursday. The game night broadcast on CBS Sports Radio 1240 am and 98.5 will kick off with the Highmark Blue Shield Warm-Up Show at 6:35 pm ET on the Royals Broadcast Network.

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