Storm fizzles in Reading

12/2/2006

READING, Pa. - The Storm offense was clicking in the first period of last night's game against Reading.

Unfortunately, the Royals' attack was even more efficient.

The Storm scored two early goals, but Reading responded with three unanswered goals in the opening period. They shut Toledo down the rest of the way for a 4-2 victory at the Sovereign Center.

Through the first six meetings between the clubs this year, the home team has won each game.

The Storm's much-maligned power play went to work early, as Mike Walsh batted home a rebound at the 3:30 mark of the first period for a 1-0 lead.

Toledo, which is now 7-2-0 when they score first, added to its lead just four minutes later as Taylor Raszka notched his first professional goal at 7:28 to put the Storm up 2-0.

Reading, though, came storming back behind it's own power play. During a 5-on-3 advantage for the Royals, John Snowden blasted one by Storm goaltender Stefan Liv to pull Reading within a goal at 10:01 of the first. The Royals tied the game at 13:19 when James Hiebert put one past Liv. After a flurry of penalties toward the end of the period, Joe Zappala tallied an even-strength goal at 19:20 to give the Royals a 3-2 lead.

After a penalty and offensive-filled first period, the teams skated even through the middle frame. Neither team was able to tally in the second period.

In the third, with Toledo (9-6-1) using an extra attacker in the final minute, the Royals' Chris Bala stole the puck away and scored an empty-net goal with just two seconds left.

Liv had a solid game in his Storm debut, stopping 34 of 37 shots sent his way.

BOWLING GREEN - Bryan Marshall of Nebraska-Omaha scored scored three goals in the first period last night in a 4-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Associateon victory over Bowling Green.

Kai Kantola tallied the only goal for the Falcons (3-11-1, 1-8 CCHA) on a power play in the second period.

Toma Klempa also scored for Nebraska-Omaha (5-7-4, 4-6-1).

BGSU goaltender Jimmy Spratt made 31 saves. The Mavericks' Jeremie Dupont made 24.