Royals Streak Snapped by Jackals, 3-1

Teams     Per: 1          2          3

ELM:              2          0          1 = 3

REA:              0          0          1 = 1

Records

REA:  2-2-0-0=4 (East Division)

ELM: 2-2-0-1=5 (East Division)

Goaltenders

REA: Ouellette (Loss) (1-1-0-0) (27/29) 1 eng

ELM:  Fullerton (Win) (2-2-0-1) (34/35)

Power Play:

REA: 1-8

ELM: 1-6

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals (­­­­­­­­­loss, 2-2-0-0=4) of the ECHL, affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League, were defeated by the Elmira Jackals  (win, 2-2-0-1=5), 3-1, at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The Jackals snapped the Royals’ thirteen game win streak dating to last season over Elmira by scoring quickly in the first and building a two-goal lead that proved too much for Reading to surmount despite getting eight power play chances—four of which came in the third and included 43 seconds of five-on-three. The Royals did finally capitalize on their final PP chance of the game with 7:18 remaining in regulation, but that proved too little, too late particularly in light of a late game meltdown of team discipline that gave the Jackals the opportunity to close out the last two minutes on a power play—and bag a PP empty netter to ice the victory.

First Period (0-2, Elmira)

0:34 (0-1) Elmira Goal

Tassone (1); Tolkinen and Stefishen (rebound from left side of the crease)

Elmira struck on their first offensive sequence of the game. The Jackals came out storming off the opening faceoff, created a scramble in the Royals’ defensive zone, and capitalized when Zachary Tolkinen fired a shot from the right point that Martin Ouellete rejected with the blocker; however, the puck fell to the low slot, where Matt Tassone settled, carried for four feet to get a better angle, wheeled and drilled it behind Ouellette who was trapped out of position and was unable to recover and make the save.

7:33 (0-2) Elmira Goal

McPherson (4); Rashid and Irwin (snap shot from left circle)

The Jackals got the eventual game winner less than seven minutes later. A seemingly harmless chip in into the offensive zone turned into a scoring chance when Ryan Rashid tracked the loose puck in the left corner and slid the puck into the left circle where Alan McPherson found a soft seam and drilled a hot snapper by Ouellette for his fourth of the year.

Second Period (0-2, Elmira)

No Scoring

Third Period (1-3, Elmira)

12:42 (1-2, Elmira) Reading Goal (Power Play)

Marcou (1); Reid and Hughesman (low slap shot from mid-slot)

Reading finally broke through on the team’s eighth power play chance of the game. Defenseman Mike Marcou settled a pass from Cam Reid in the high slot, took one stride down the middle and picked his spot—low blocker—on Travis Fullerton for his first as a Royal..

19:48 (1-3, Elmira) Elmira Goal (Power Play) (Empty Net)

Tassone 2 (2); Irwin and Stefishen (empty net tap in off the rush)

Elmira benefitted from several lapses in team discipline down the stretch by the Royals, which resulted in a late game five-on-three power play for the Jackals. After the front end of that penalty sequence expired, the Royals pulled the goaltender to make it five skaters a side in a last gasp effort to tie the game; but it wasn’t to be, as Elmira’s Brayden Irwin broke from the defensive zone and elected to tap back to the trailing Tassone for the empty net tap in.

NOTES:

• The Royals had won six in a row against the Jackals at Santander Arena, dating back to December 15, 2013, prior to tonight’s loss.

• Scratches for the Royals tonight: Adam Comrie (d) (lower body injury), Dan Ford (d) (healthy), and Kevin Walrod (f) (21-Day IR).

• Reading has scored at least one power play goal in each of the four games played so far this season.

• The Royals have allowed at least one power play goal against in all four games the team has played this season—even though the one tonight was an empty net PPG.

Next Up for Reading: Thursday, October 30 (@ 7:30 pm) when the Royals will celebrate Haunted Hockey Night and take on the Wheeling Nailers at Santander Arena in Reading, PA.That night, the team will wear the nationally recognized Special Halloween-themed jerseys, which will be available for purchase online after the game. On Thursday, fans can take advantage of the Steak-Umm Burger Meal & Ticket Deal and get a burger, fries and a large soda—and a purple zone ticket—for just $25.00. We’ll also celebrate higher learning on Thursday with one of the team’s College Nights which will feature $1.00 canned beer.

For more information about the Royals, call 610-898-7825 for more information or log onto www.royalshockey.com.

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