Clancey not too impressed after Royals lose to Titans

"There are a lot of guys here in my mind who haven’t earned a spot in Reading," coach Derek Clancey says after dropping a preseason game to Trenton.

By Julie Pelchar Reading Eagle

   Reading Royals coach Derek Clancey expected to learn a lot from a brief exhibition season.
   What he saw had him scratching his head after Reading’s 3-1 preseason loss to Trenton Saturday
   night at the Sovereign Center.
  "I think we did OK," he said. "I’m disappointed in a few guys, to be honest. I thought some guys would’ve shown me more. I think some guys think they’re a shoo-in and they played like it."
   Friday and Saturday’s games against the Titans served as the final test for players fighting to make Reading’s roster.
   It’s difficult to say how many the Royals will cut. They have just 20 healthy players, but expect to add more players before Friday’s season opener at Trenton.
   "There’s going to be some shockers Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, when guys report here that are supposed to be on their way," Clancey said, "because there are a lot of guys here in my mind who haven’t earned a spot in Reading."
   Phil Lewandowski certainly had solidified his position on Trenton’s roster.
   The speedy forward was all the offense the Titans needed Saturday. He had a hat trick and Andrew Allen stopped 37 shots to help Trenton earn a weekend split.
   The Royals, who won 2-1 in a shootout Friday, fell behind 2-0 10 minutes into the game Saturday.
   Lewandowski scored twice in a two-minute span, his first goal coming on a power play.
   After Allen stopped all 28 shots in the first 40 minutes, Reading’s Dan Sullivan finished Lukas Dora’s pass from behind the net to make it 2-1.
   Lewandowski, who played for Cincinnati last year and became a free agent when the Cyclones folded during the offseason, fired a snap shot under Cody Rudkowsky’s arm to make it 3-1 with 8:57 remaining.
   The Royals generated plenty of opportunities. They finished with 38 shots to Trenton’s 23, but couldn’t convert during the power play, finishing 0-for-6 with the man advantage.
   Graig Mischler, who wore the "C" Saturday, liked his team’s resiliency both games.
   "I like to see the guys battle back," Mischler said. "It looked like some guys had some fire in their bellies, and that’s encouraging. Some guys stuck up for each other."
   Reading’s David Massé, who rarely fought last year, got the best of Trevor Johnson at the end of the first. Reading’s Colt King and Jonathan Goodwin fought late in the game.
   For the second straight night, Reading’s Cail MacLean and Judd Medak didn’t dress. They were behind the bench coaching while Clancey watched from a higher level.
   The Royals played nine rookies. The Titans, whose roster is stacked, also brought a young lineup and sat their best weapons.
   Loose pucks: Former Royal Leon Hayward signed with Trenton Friday and made his Titans debut Saturday. The forward appeared in 28 Royals games last season, including five in the playoffs. . . . Dave Stewart, an assistant captain for Reading last season, has signed with the United Hockey League’s Quad City Mallards.
   Contact Julie Pelchar at 610-371-5065 or japelchar@readingeagle.com.