Game 18 Preview: Reading at Cincinnati

Midweek game against Cyclones kicks off three straight road contests

Cincinnati, OH – The Reading Royals (10-6-1-0, 21 pts., 3rd North) swing to Cincinnati for the only time this season to take on the Cylcones (10-5-1-0, 21 pts., 3rd Central) Wednesday at 7:35 p.m. from U.S. Bank Arena.

Reading won three of four games last week, moving up two slots in the North Division. Mark Naclerio had five points, tied for the most of any ECHL player last week.

Cincinnati has won three straight games and allowed two total goals.

The Royals are starting a three-game road trip and Reading is at Wheeling on Friday and Saturday. Five of the next seven games are against the Nailers.

The next Royals home game is against Wheeling on Wed., Dec. 6, featuring a postgame autograph session with four players, presented by Rieck’s Printing. Tickets are available here.

Naclerio, Penny find stroke Center Mark Naclerio is on a season-high five-game point streak (1g, 4a) and Ryan Penny has points in four straight (3g, 1a), helping to turn around some minor struggles.

Prior to the point streak, Naclerio was scoreless the previous four contests. He is tied with Alex Krushelnyski for the team points lead (15).

Penny’s four-game streak has catapulted him to a tie for the team goals lead with Naclerio and Krushelnyski (7). He went eight straights games without a goal between Nov. 4-19.

Hoping for road momentumThe Royals own a 3-5-1-0 away record this season and Reading won its last road game, 3-2, at Adirondack. Despite some of the early defeats, the team has kept it close on the road with five one-goal games (1-3-1-0 record). Reading has had more power plays than opponents in six road games, but the team is 1-4-1-0 in those contests.

Additionally, the Royals have out shot foes in six road games (2-3-1-0 record).

Wishing we saw you more, old friendThe Royals and Cyclones play twice this season. They have met 61 times and Reading is 30-26-5 against Cincinnati. The Cyclones returned to the ECHL in 2006-07 and the teams played 29 times in the next three seasons. Reading also played Cincinnati in four playoff series between 2008-13.

Despite all the early matchups, the Royals have only met the Cyclones six times since the start of 2014-15 (5-1-0-0 record).

Home blipReading is coming off a 5-1 loss at home to Wheeling, the Royals’ first loss at Santander Arena. The 7-0-0-0 home start matched the 2005-06 team for best in team history. The Royals average 4.1 goals/game at home and allow 2.5.

Scouting Cincinnati Goaltenders Anthony Peters (2-0-0-0, 2 GA) and Jonas Johannsen (1-0-0-0, 1 GA) helped the Cyclones win three straight games last week. Peters is 7-4-1-0 in 12 games played, has a .929 save percentage and ranks fourth in the league with a 2.26 goals against average.

The Cyclones are two spots in front of the Royals in team defense, ranking fourth allowing 2.44 goals against per game.

Shawn O’Donnell leads the team with 20 points (7g) and is on a four-game point streak (1g, 5a).

The Cyclones are last in the league in two categories: shots for/game (25.4) and penalty kill (73.4%).

Last Chance!Purchase a Purple Pride Five-Game Pack through Nov. 30 and add any two games for free from the list of following dates: Jan. 10 vs. Worcester, Jan. 24 vs. Toledo, Feb. 22 vs. Worcester, Mar. 14th vs. Fort Wayne and Apr. 4th vs. Worcester. Dinner is on us for the five-game pack!

It’s $69.95 for the pack plus five free dinners to each game of the Purple Pride Five-Game Pack.

Call (610) 898-PUCK (7825) and ask for your ticket guys to learn about the best deal in sports! Details for the Purple Pride Five-Game Pack can be found here https://royalshockey.com/purple-pride-5-game-pack/.

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.