Jackals Drop Final Visit To Reading, 5-1

READING, PA - Last night, the Jackals dominated the first frame, peppering Connor Knapp with continuous shots and taking a lead into the intermission. Tonight, the script was flipped and it was the Royals who came out firing and striking first. The Jackals battled back within one early in the second, but that would be as close as they would get in the 5-1 defeat.

The parade to the penalty box began early in the opening stanza and remained constant throughout the first 20 minutes. There were seven minor penalties called in the period and the Royals would capitalize on their first power-play opportunity. Ryan Cruthers, who received two minor penalties in the first period, stepped out of the sin bin and quickly joined Reading's man advantage. After receiving a pass from Mike Marcou, Cruthers walked to the top of the left circle and blasted a shot past Sam Marotta. Pat Mullane also assisted Cruthers' 11th goal of the season. Then, with 47 seconds remaining in the period, Sean Wiles took a drop pass from Andrew Johnston and sniped his 19th goal of the season over the shoulder of Marotta to put Reading ahead 2-0 at the intermission.

After getting out-shot 15-2 in the first period, the Jackals quickly rebounded and cut the Royals' lead in half with Kevin Sundher's power-play goal just 30 seconds into the second frame. Mike Seidel and Taylor Stefishen earned the helpers on Sundher's first goal as a Jackal. Elmira received another power-play opportunity late in the middle stanza when the Royals were whistled for too many men on the ice. However, the Jackals saw their chance to tie the game slip away with Sean Wiles' shorthanded breakaway goal. The Jackals were the only team in the ECHL that had not given up a shorthanded tally until Wiles' 20th goal of the season and second of the night at 17:33 of the second period.

The Royals added two more goals in the third period to solidify their victory in the final meeting this season at Santander Arena. Olivier Labelle notched his 21st goal of the year at 11:19 of the frame assisted by Adam Hughesman and Cam Reid. Then, at 19:01, Cruthers added his second goal of the night and 12th of the year assisted by Wiles and Brett Flemming.

Sam Marotta turned aside 32 of 37 shots faced, but was handed the loss. Connor Knapp stopped 21 of 22 shots faced for the win.