Game 10 Preview: Jacksonville at Reading

Royals collect clothing for vets in need and give away rally towels

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals (5-3-1-0, 11 pts., T-4th North) have returned from the road and honor our selfless veterans on Veteran’s Appreciation Day as they host the Jacksonville Icemen (1-5-1-0, 3 pts., 7th South) Saturday at 7 p.m. The Royals will give away replica jersey rally towels to the first 2,500 fans, presented by U.G.I. Utilities. Reading will also wear special camouflage jerseys and Veterans Making a Difference will be on the concourse collecting winter clothing at the Shoot for Community Younity. Bring extra winter clothes to donate to those in need.

Reading was on the road for six days and played five games, going 1-3-1-0. The Royals last earned a point Tuesday at South Carolina.

The Icemen are in their inaugural ECHL season and this is the first matchup between the clubs. Jacksonville has the fewest points in the league.

In recent roster news, goalie Mark Dekanich has been recalled by Lehigh Valley and the Royals have added emergency backup goalie Brent Troyan.

Purchase Royals tickets here.

Call the Royals office at 610-989-PUCK (7825) and ask for your ticket guys to learn about the best deal in sports! It’s a five-game pack to Reading’s five-biggest games for $69.95, plus we’ll buy you dinner.

Road stars

Alex Krushelnyski and Mark Naclerio led the Royals with five points each over the five-game road trip. Naclerio had his first professional hat trick on Nov. 7 at South Carolina and scored five goals. Krushelnyski recorded at least a point on every game of the trip (1g, 4a). The fourth-year professional has points in six straight games.

The two play on a line alongside former ECHL Rookie of the Year (2014-15) Matt Willows, who chipped in two assists.

Nick Luukko (2g), Ryan Penny and Chris McCarthy also recorded goals on the trip.

In cage, Mark Dekanich (3 GP) and John Muse (2 GP) continued to platoon. Dekanich had one win and Muse earned one point.

Where did Jacksonville come from?

Jacksonville was previously in the ECHL as the Evansville Icemen from 2012-16. The franchise was dormant for the 2016-17 season. In February 2017, the ECHL approved the team’s relocation to Jacksonville, FL.

The Royals were 10-2-0-1 against Evansville and Reading was 4-0-0-0 against the Icemen in 2014-15, the last time they squared off.

This is the second time Jacksonville has housed an ECHL team. The Jacksonville Lizard Kings were in the league from 1995-2000.

The Royals play the Icemen twice this season.

Last time outNick Luukko scored his second of the season, but the Royals allowed consecutive goals and fell, 2-1, Wednesday at South Carolina.

The third-year defenseman has two goals over the last three games. Luukko had six goals last season, all in the first half of 2016-17.

The Royals power play was 0-for-6 and killed off three South Carolina man advantages.

The best deal in sports!Call the Royals offices and ask for your ticket guys to learn about the best deal in sports. Get tickets to Reading’s five-biggest games for $69.95, plus we’ll buy you dinner. Call 610-898-7825 for more information.

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.

Reading Royals Mobile AppHead to the App Store and Google Play to download the new Reading Royals app on your smartphone! Stay up-to-date with team news, receive notifications and purchase tickets for your next experience at Santander Arena.

Broadcast CoverageAll 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.