Reading, PA – Alex Krushelnyski jammed in a rebound at the right post with 32.6 seconds left in overtime, sending the Reading Royals (3-0-0-0) to a 4-3 win over the Toledo Walleye (2-1-1-0) Thursday at Santander Arena.
Ryan Penny passed to Krushelnyski, who initially had a chance blocked. Whirling around, Krushelnyski (1g, 1a) potted his second goal of the season and threw it in through Pat Nagle’s five-hole.
Chris McCarthy scored twice in the third period to tie the game.
Down by two, McCarthy jumpstarted the comeback with a deflection at the left post to trim the deficit to one with 14 minutes left. Two minutes later, he struck again with a power-play goal from the left circle on a slap shot.
The Royals have won three straight games to start the season for the first time ever. This is the second time Reading has won three consecutive overtime games.
Mark Dekanich made four saves in overtime and denied 25 shots. Nagle allowed four goals on 36 shots.
The Royals wear special jerseys at their Halloween game this Sunday against Adirondack at 4 p.m. Bid on the jerseys here.Box Score
The Royals took the first eight shots and both teams failed to score in the first. Mark Dekanich denied six shots.
After killing off a power play, Toledo’s Christian Hilbrich scored his first goal, deflecting a right-point shot by Parker Reno through the five-hole at 1:02.
Facing intense pressure, the Royals scored four minutes later to tie the game. James de Haas cleared the zone and Naclerio went to the backhander and roofed one to the top left pocket.
With 8:35 left in the period, Hilbrich slammed one in at the slot to give the Walleye a 2-1 edge.
The Royals were perfect on the penalty kill (2-for-2) and were 1-for-5 on the man up.
On Sun., Oct. 29 at 4 p.m., the Royals look to spook Adirondack wearing special Halloween jerseys. Fans are encouraged to come dressed in costume for free Halloween treats! It’s also the return of dollar hot dogs and the first 2,500 fans will receive a Halloween team photo giveaway, brought to you by Rieck’s Printing.
The Royals begin a five-game road trip on Fri., Nov. 2 against Worcester at 7:00 p.m.
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Call 610-898-7825 to learn more about the best ticket deal in sports! Join the #PurplePride at www.royalshockey.com for single-game tickets, promotions and how we can get your group out to a Royals game!
About the RoyalsThe Royals have been owned by serial entrepreneur Jack Gulati since 2014 and are in their 17th ECHL season. Proudly affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Reading plays in the Santander Arena, located in downtown Reading, PA at 700 Penn Street. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs in eight straight seasons and are four-time division champions.
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Broadcast Coverage
All Royals game can be heard on Rumba 1340 AM and the iHeartRadio app by searching “Rumba 1340”. The pregame show starts 15 minutes before puck drop. Watch Royals games on ECHL.tv. Reading away games locally on BCTV.