Royals suffer first loss of season, 4-2

Worcester, MA – The Worcester Railers (4-2-1-0, 9 pts.) scored twice in the second period and the Reading Royals (4-1-0-0, 8 pts.) lost for the first time this season, 4-2, Friday at the DCU Center. The Royals scored two power-play goals for the second straight game (2-for-4).

Ryan Penny scored late in the first period to tie the game at one. In a two-minute stretch, Pat McNally and Frank DiChiara potted second-period goals to place Worcester in control. The Railers took a 4-1 lead on a strike from Matt Gaudreau four minutes into the third. Mark Naclerio sparked Royals momentum with his second of the season at 7:52 of the third.

Mark Dekanich suffered the defeat despite 24 stops. Eamon McAdam denied 33 shots for his second win.

Reading is off to its second-best start through five games. In 2005-06, the Royals started 4-0-1-0.

The Royals play Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against Worcester and take on the Railers Sunday at 3:05 p.m. Reading is at South Carolina on Tues., Nov. 7 and Wed., Nov. 8.

Box Score

Reading allowed the opening strike on a left-circle shot from Woody Hudson with 2:53 to go in the first. The Royals responded and tied the game at one on the power play with 30 seconds left. Steven Swavely passed to Penny, who twirled from the right circle and wristed one. On its way, it ricocheted off of Worcester’s Matt Lane and went in.

Penny has four goals in the last two games. The 3rd-year forward had his first professional hat trick Sunday against Adirondack. Penny had last scored a hat trick

At 5:08 of the second, Pat McNally beat Dekanich on a try from the left circle after Matt Lane rang it off the left post. Frank DiChara scored 1:57 later to give Worcester a two-goal edge. Gaudreau scored on a left-circle shot to give Worcester a 4-1 edge at 4:08 of the third.

Naclerio scored the Royals’ second man-up tally by whacking a pass from Alex Krushelnyski in at the slot. Adam Schmidt also assisted. Naclerio is on a four-game point streak (2g, 3a).

The next Royals home game is Sat., Nov. 11 vs. Jacksonville at 7 p.m. for Veteran’s Appreciation Night and a Royals rally towel giveaway to the first 2,500 fans, courtesy of U.G.I. Utilities. Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Reading-Royals-tickets/artist/838174

The Best Deal in SportsCall the Royals office at 610-989-PUCK (7825) and ask for your ticket guy 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. Information: 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 App

Head 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 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 are shown locally on BCTV.