TMLfans.ca guest columnist Barry Schickling returns with one of his regular updates on the Leafs prospects playing for the Reading Royals of the ECHL.
The Royals Review
(Nov. 30-Dec. 13)
READING, Pa. – For the first time since Reading became the ECHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs beginning with the 2008-09 season, the Royals are on a nice roll and own a five-point lead at the top of the East Division of the American Conference. Reading just concluded a 2-1-1 road trip and managed to increase its lead over the Elmira Jackals, despite the fact that they’ve played only one home game this month and have just three more games scheduled at the Sovereign Center before the end of 2009.
Although the holiday season is nearly here, it’s a critical time as the Royals will play Elmira three times in the next two weeks. In fact, seven of Reading’s next 12 games will be against the Jackals.
Here’s a look at what the Toronto-contracted players have been up to over the past two weeks (with this season’s ECHL statistics).
Stefano Giliati – Although the second-year pro scored just his third goal in the last 16 games, it was an unassisted game winner at Cincinnati on Dec. 13. It came off a neutral-zone turnover. He also assisted on an OT game-winner at Trenton on Dec. 6. The LW is fourth on the team in points. (9G- 11A – +2 – 21 PIM)
Joey Ryan – The Stoneham, Mass. native only had one point in the last two weeks but it was a big one. He notched the OT winner on Dec. 6 at Trenton – the first OT goal for Reading this season. The defenceman was named first star of that game for his efforts. (2G – 3A – -5 – 37 PIM)
Eric Werner – The former University of Michigan star has been a shining star for the Royals blue line this season. Not only has he been arguably the team’s best defenceman this season, he’s tied for the team lead in scoring by D-men. Coach Larry Courville relies on him in every situation and he generally plays with lots of confidence and control. (3G – 4A – +3 – 19 PIM)
Goaltender Beau Erickson, who spent some time with the Marlies earlier in the season, but is under contract to Reading, leads the Royals in GAA and save percentage. In a victory over Trenton on Dec. 5, he made 34 saves and was named the game’s second star. However, he’s not getting lots of playing time since the Boston Bruins (a co-parent of Reading along with the Maple Leafs) assigned Matt Dalton to the team. (3-2 – 2.78 GAA — .915 SV %)
The Royals are still awaiting the return of G Andrew Engelage from the Marlies, but as long as Jonas Gustavsson and James Reimer remain out of the lineups for the Leafs and Marlies, respectively, the Oshawa-born Engelage will continue to wet his professional feet in the American Hockey League
Barry Schickling can be contacted at Barry.DoubleSMedia@rocketmail.com
