The Royals Review
(March 8-21)
READING, Pa. – The Maple Leafs’ ECHL farm team has its sights set on the postseason and only a couple good weeks stand in the way of securing a spot in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. With two weeks left in the regular season, Reading is in the eighth and final playoff position in the American Conference. Any combination of 11 points obtained the Royals or lost by the Gwinnett Gladiators and Reading will qualify for the first time as Toronto’s secondary affiliate. With a record of 7-3-1 in its last 11, only one serious roadblock would seem to stand in the way – six of the team’s last seven games are on the road. Considering the Royals have won just two of their last 10 away from the Sovereign Center, there’s still one hurdle that stands
in the way of hitting playoff pay dirt.
Here’s what the Toronto-contracted players have been up to over the past two weeks (with this season’s
ECHL statistics).
Alex Berry — The RW from Danvers, Mass., who’s in his first extended assignment to
Stefano Giliati – The LW from Montreal had an eventful last two weeks. He was suspended as the result of receiving an aggressor penalty in the last five minutes in a loss at Johnstown. But after sitting out a game he responded with three goals and three assists in his next four outings. Included in
that was a first-star selection in a game at Elmira. He’s tied for the team lead in plus/minus and has at least one point in 11 of his last 12 games with Reading. (39GP-20G-25A- +6 – 58PIM)
Ben Gordon – Although still under contract to Reading, the LW who spent time with the Marlies earlier in the season is back from his latest trip to the AHL and remains as one of the Royals’ most dangerous offensive weapons. He’s tied for the team lead in goals, points and plus/minus and leads the team in shots (193). He has a point in 10 of his last 11 games with Reading, has 23 multi-point games this season and is tied for 12th in the ECHL in scoring. (49GP-23G-40A- +6 -43 PIM)
Joey Ryan – The second-year pro defenceman got into just two games with Reading prior to being recalled to the Marlies for the fourth time this season. (30GP-2G-6A- -3 -43 PIM)
Robert Slaney – The rookie LW had been on a decent streak and seeing lots of ice time. But he’s scoreless in his last three games. (22GP-1G – 10A – -10 – 22PIM)
Andrew Engelage – The rookie G has only played in 10 games for Reading as a result of call-ups to the Marlies and injuries. He followed up one of his worst performances (a 7-2 loss at last-place Johnstown) with one of his best (a 6-2 win at first-place Elmira). (10GP-7W-2L-3.87GAA-.887 SV%)
Barry Schickling can be contacted at Barry.DoubleSMedia@rocketmail.com
