December 18-20

Friday night hockey in downtown Reading, the Royals at home for the first time in nineteen days. The Elmira Jackals were the opposition in the opener of a weekend doubleheader. The Royals entered the night with a somewhat depleted roster, between injuries and AHL recalls the club had only sixteen healthy skaters (although it's a viable excuse you can't really use it because such things are a fact of life in the ECHL). A standard lineup usually features ten forwards and six defensemen, on this night the Royals had eight of each. As a result both Adam Comrie and Jordan Heywood (defensemen by trade) were taking shifts on the forward line. In the Friday opener the Royals scored first on a goal by rookie Pavel Padakin (on assignment from the Phantoms) but the Jackals netted the next four and carried that lead into the final minutes. Adam Comrie got the Royals within two but an Elmira empty-netter finished it at 5-2, Connor Knapp took the loss in relief of starting goaltender Martin Ouellette. Saw on the Internet where McCaskey won big over Cedar Crest 84-55. I have to admit to being concerned about that game because recent history against CC hasn't been kind to us, it's good to see the guys took care of business head-on and decisively. On Saturday Jenny and her mother missed their first hockey game of the season, the apartment complex had a holiday party and they attended. Jenny wasn't happy to miss the game but they give gifts to children and senior citizens at the party and Helen had to be present or not receive hers (it's usually a gift certificate to the local supermarket which is certainly worthwhile). Since the tickets were available my mother and her friend Norma used them, the first time they have been to a game since October of 2014. This night was the annual Teddy Bear Toss game, I put Jenny's contributions into the collection box when we arrived. Ian Watters scored the "teddy bear" goal six minutes in to give the Royals a 1-0 lead, that one score stood up into the final minute of regulation play. The Jackals pulled the goalie for an extra attacker but Robbie Czarnik found the empty net dead-center with twelve seconds left to clinch the tough 2-0 Royals win. Adam Morrison started in goal and posted his second shutout of the season and the team's fourth overall. The club's mark stands at 13-11-3 (8-5-1 at the Arena), the next home game is on the second day of the New Year. The Royals played nine home games in November but just these two in December, January's schedule features another nine home dates. Take care, thanks for reading.