Mizzi shoots, Royals score win over Bullies

Preston Mizzi, who admits he should shoot more often, scores two goals to lead Reading to a key win over North Division leader Atlantic City.

By Matt Malinowski Reading Eagle

He hesitated before answering the question, and before the words finally came out of his mouth Reading Royals forward Preston Mizzi let out a deep breath and flashed a little grin.
"Um . . . I guess there are times . . . times I should shoot more," Mizzi said.
   And don’t think that topic hasn’t been brought up by Royals coach Derek Clancey.
   "He’s a skilled player, and when he takes advantage of what he creates for himself he is a very effective player," Clancey said.
   And by his own admission Mizzi knows games he finishes with two or three shots he could have had five or six. Games he had six or seven shots he could have hit double digits.
   That’s when he said through another grin that he enjoys setting up his teammates. But if his energetic celebrations after his two goals in a 5-1 win over Atlantic City Saturday at the Sovereign Center were any indication, well, scoring them is just a bit more thrilling.
   Mizzi got the Royals’ big night started when he was rewarded for his wonderful effort and perseverance.
   From out of the corner Mizzi worked his way around Atlantic City defenseman Ryan Reid. Mizzi attacked the net and chipped the puck past goalie Trevor Koenig to give Reading a 1-0 lead 3:41 into the game.
   It was the type of hard-working goal teams need to score down the stretch. After all, there aren’t many highlightreel goals come playoff time.
   "It’s definitely an emphasis right now to shoot the puck and attack for rebounds," Mizzi said. "If you have to take the puck to the net yourself, or knock the goalie over or net off, that’s the only way you score goals this time of year."
   OK, maybe not every time. There are the occasional doozies, and Mizzi got one to put Reading up 2-0 a little more than two minutes later.
   Larry Courville fed a pass to Mizzi, who was streaking down the slot and buried a beauty past Koenig for his 16 th goal of the season.
   "I guess I have always been told my whole life I pass a little too much," Mizzi said. "It’s something, I guess, I’ve always done. But the quicker I learn the quicker I’ll score 50 instead of 20."
   Cail MacLean scored on the power play and David Massé scored to give Reading a commanding 4-0 lead after a period.
   The Royals killed off a key fiveminute major penalty to Adam Borzecki, who was called for elbowing and most likely will face a league suspension.
   MacLean scored his league-leading 15 th power-play goal in the second period to put the Royals up 5-0.
   Graig Mischler had three assists to up his total to 50 on the season.
   With the win, the Royals moved a point behind the first-place Boardwalk Bullies in the North Division. Reading has three games in hand on Atlantic City.
   "We know there are not letups and that we still are in second place," Mizzi said. " We know we are in a good position right now, but we know there is not time to relax and it’s playoff hockey right now."
   Contact Matt Malinowski at 610-371-5064 or mmalinowski@readingeagle.com.

Reading Eagle: Lauren A. Little
Reading’s Preston Mizzi celebrates in front of teammates Mikko Viitanen, left, and Graig Mischler, right, after scoring his second goal in the first period of the Royals’ win over Atlantic City.