ELMIRA, NY – Two seasons ago the Reading Royals blew a 3-0 series lead to the Cincinnati Cyclones in the 2009-10 ECHL Eastern Conference finals with arguably the best team in Royals franchise history. After the series was over with, players and management searched high and low for answers.
Two short years later, the Royals haven’t learned their lessons. This time it was the Elmira Jackals handing out the history lessons by defeating the Royals 4-2 to win Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals pushing Reading out the door and into the second round. Four seasons ago the Royals send the Jackals home packing winning the series 4-3 in the North Division Semi-Finals in 2008.
Elmira’s offense once again was force outshooting Reading 15-7 in the first period and took a 1-0 lead after one thanks to Jean Bourbeau’s goal 11:45 into the period. Both teams traded goals the rest of the way and were tied 2-2 when Yannick Tifu scored for Reading at the 13:20 mark of the third period. Unfortunately for Reading it would be their last goal of the season. The Jackals took the lead for good 3:09 later when Corey Cowick scored from deep in the right face-off circle to take a 3-2 lead. Cowick would effectively end the Royals season with an empty netter with 52 seconds left in the game.
The Jackals outshot Reading 33-29 for the game and outshot the Royals in every game this season. The Royals are affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League while the Jackals are affiliated with the Ottawa Senators and the Anaheim Ducks. Elmira will not take on the Florida Everblades while in the other Eastern Conference match-up will the Kalamazoo Wings against the South Carolina Stingrays. Both series will begin on Friday night.
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.