Man-up powers comeback victory, 4-3

Wheeling, WV – The Reading Royals scored a pair of power-play goals in the third period to spike the Wheeling Nailers, 4-3, Friday at Wesbanco Arena.

Steven Swavely scored his fifth of the season to even the score at three at 3:15 of the third. Five minutes later, Michael Huntebrinker netted his first game-winning goal with another man-up marker. Reading trailed, 3-2, entering the third. Matt Willows (1g, 1a), Alex Krushelnyski (1g, 1a) and Nick Luukko (2a) led the Royals on the scoresheet.

The Royals are 11-7-1-0 (23 points), one point behind Wheeling and Manchester for first in the North Division.

John Muse made 31 saves for his first road victory of the season. He had 14 denials in the third. Adam Morrison made 24 saves in the loss.

The teams rematch Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Wheeling. Reading hosts Wheeling Dec. 6.

Box Score

Matt Willows (1g, 1a) seized on a turnover and fired it in from the left slot to give the Royals a 1-0 edge at 2:27 of the first. Wheeling’s Nick Sorkin attempted a breakout from behind his net, but the puck clipped off of Scott Tanski’s stick and went to Willows. The righty pick the top left shelf and wristed it in. Tanski received credit on the helper.

Ten seconds later, Wheeling’s Hunter Fejes scored to tie the game. Cody Wydo one-timed a shot from the left circle to give the Nailers the lead with eight minutes left in the first. Sorkin and Reid Gardiner had the assists. Wydo has 15 goals and 25 points in 27 games against the Royals.

At 3:50 of the second, Reading tied the game on a swaggering deke and goal from Krushelnyski. Picking up steam at the left circle, Krushelnyski came in one-on-one, snuck behind the defense and swooped to the right post for a roofing backhander that beat Morrison. Willows earned his second point and Nick Luukko got the second assist.

On a 4-on-3 power play, Army tried a slapshot from the left circle and it beat Muse to the short post, giving the Nailers a 3-2 edge. The strike came with seven minutes to go in the second.

Swavely’s tap-in goal tied the game and the Royals were 2-for-3 on the power play. Nolan Zajac and Mark Naclerio assisted. Huntebrinker slammed one at the right post for the game-winning strike, helped by Krushelnyski and Luukko. Krushelnyski tossed it from the near boards to the right post.

In the Royals’ next home game, it’s $5 tickets as a special holiday gift to you! The team hosts a special postgame autograph session and takes on Wheeling on Wed., Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m., presented by Rieck’s Printing. Tickets are available here.$5 TicketsThe Royals are pleased to announce $5 tickets in the Green Zone to three upcoming games in December!

• , Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Wheeling (postgame autographs) | Sun., Dec. 17 at 4:00 p.m. vs. Adirondack (dollar dogs and player photo) | Thurs., Dec. 28 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Worcester (special Flyers jerseys, aPHILLYation night)
• Call 610-898-PUCK (7825) and tickets are available here.

Santa Sacks Holiday GiftThe Royals give you the chance to pick your dates and favorite games with Santa Sacks! Stuff the stocking with a free autographed puck and pick tickets to three dates for $30.

• , Jan. 20 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Worcester (Slapshot bobblehead giveaway, THON Night, Star Wars jerseys)
• , Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Pink in the Rink, knit scarf giveaway)
• , Mar. 17 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Yannick Tifu number retired, Meet WWE Million Dollar Man)
• , March 24 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Worcester (Kelly Cup Tribute puck giveaway, Autism Awareness jerseys)
• , Apr. 7 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Norfolk (FANdemonium, fan appreciation, fan’s choice giveaway)
• Call 610-898-PUCK (7825) and tickets are available here.

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, channel 15 Comcast, channel 19 Service Electric.