Zajac delivers 2-1 OT win over Wheeling

Reading, PA – Nolan Zajac cranked a slap shot past Colin Stevens at 1:12 of overtime and the Reading Royals won in the extra session for the second straight game, 2-1, over the Wheeling Nailers Sunday at Santander Arena.

Goaltender John Muse (37 saves) fought off a tough chance at the left circle to begin the 3-on-3 and center Mark Naclerio scooped it up and fed to Zajac. Skating the full length of the ice, the first-year Royal bombed it from the left circle. The Royals are 2-0-0-0 and handed the Nailers their first lost.

Both teams failed to score in the second and third period. Matt Willows scored the opening goal halfway through the first, assisted by Mark Naclerio and Adam Comrie.

Colin Stevens took the loss with 28 saves. The Nailers dropped their first game of the season (3-0-1-0).

The Royals are home Thursday at 7:00 p.m. against Toledo.

Box Score

The Royals pounced first with a Willows strike at 8:40 of the first. Playing a two-man game, Naclerio centered it to Willows and the 3rd-year pro threw it past Stevens. Willows has goals in consecutive games to start the campaign.

Wheeling’s power play equalized with 3:13 to go in the first. Reid Gardiner received a pass to the slot and he stashed it in for his third goal.

The Royals killed off a pair of 5-on-3 chances in the second, plus a five-minute power play assessed against defenseman Adam Comrie. He was given a game misconduct for slashing in the middle portions of the second.

The Nailers were 1-for-6 on the man up. The Royals were 0-for-5.

The Royals are next at home on Thurs., Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. against the Toledo Walleye. On Sun., Oct. 29 at 4 p.m., the Royals look to spook Adirondack wearing special Halloween jerseys. They will be auctioned off starting Thursday and fans are encouraged to come dressed in costume!

Call 610-898-7825 to learn more about the best ticket deal in sports! Join the #PurplePride at www.royalshockey.com.

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.