Jackals Stumble Against Red-Hot Royals, 7-3

ELMIRA, N.Y. - The Reading Royals power-play shot arrows through the hearts of Jackals fans on Valentine's Day and powered the Royals past Elmira 7-3 in a snowy Saturday Night Showdown.
 

The Jackals would get an offensive boost with the return of captain Matt Tassone in addition to the reassignments of Allan McPherson and Kevin Sundher from Rochester. The captain would help the Jackals jump out to an early lead with the primary helper on the game's first goal. Kevin Hart, who made his return after missing the past two games, fed the puck to Tassone for the one-timer, which was tipped in by Ryan Rashid. The Royals would even the score with a power-play goal of their own at 17:28 of the opening frame. Adam Hughesman moved the puck to Cam Reid, who found Olivier Labelle sitting backdoor for the tap-in tally. Just 34 seconds later Pat Mullane would settle into the high slot and blast a one-timer past Travis Fullerton to put the Royals ahead 2-1. Ian Watters and Bryant Molle added the assists on Mullane's 19th goal of the season.

The Jackals power-play would prevail again in the second period at 13:29 of the frame. Riley Wetmore tipped in the tying tally off a shot from Mike Seidel in the left circle. Allan McPherson also added an assist on Wetmore's fifth goal of the year. However, the Royals would regain their one goal lead just 15 seconds later. Cam Reid was the beneficiary of a bouncing puck in the slot and passed it to Adam Hughesman, who tapped it into the open cage. Less than a minute later Cam Reid would net his 20th goal of the season on the power-play with a short-side shot over Fullerton's glove. The Jackals would strike quickly when Taylor Stefishen bounced a pass in off of a skate in the slot. Zach Tolkinen and Ryan Rashid earned the assists on Stefishen's 11th goal of the season.

Elmira entered the third period with a one-goal deficit and a power-play which carried over from the second frame, but it would be a former Jackal who would score the first goal of the period. Maxim Lamarche blasted a one-timer from the point past Fullerton on the power-play and extended Reading's lead to two goals. Minutes later Pat Mullane would add his second goal of the night and 20th of the season on the power-play to extend the Royals' lead to 6-3. Sean Wiles added his 17th goal of the season to increase the cushion to four goals with less than two minutes remaining.

Fullerton stopped 26 of 33 shots faced but was handed the loss. Kenny Reiter allowed three goals on 37 shots faced and earned the win. The Jackals went 2-for-4 on the power-play and Readng went 4-for-7 with the man advantage.

Next up for the Jackals is a trip to Wheeling, West Virginia and a matchup against the Wheeling Nailers on Monday, February 16th at 1:05 p.m.