Royals eye Saturday rematch after 5-2 loss to Manchester

Reading, PA – Michael Huntebrinker had his first multi-goal game (2g), but the Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, suffered a 5-2 loss to the Manchester Monarchs Friday at Santander Arena. The teams rematch Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The Royals are 14-12-2-0 (30 points), trailing first-place Manchester by eight.

Huntebrinker’s first goal provided the Royals a 1-0 edge. It was the 19th time the Royals have scored the opening goal and only Colorado has tallied the first strike more times. Reading led by one after one, but Manchester ripped a pair of goals in the first 33 seconds of the second. The Monarchs solved Mark Dekanich (loss, 39 saves) four times in period two. The Monarchs jolted to a 4-2 edge after 40 minutes.

Charles Williams (win, 32 saves) is 2-0-0-0 against Reading this season.

On Sat., Dec. 23rd, Reading plays the Monarchs, Santa will be at the game and it’s the postgame ham shoot! Come down after the game on the ice, shoot a puck in to the net and take a holiday ham home with you, courtesy of Redner’s Markets. Season ticket holders receive a team license plate on Dec. 23, courtesy of Tower Health.

Box ScoreDekanich made 18 saves in the first frame, including a penalty-shot denial on Zac Lynch for the second time this season. After Dekanich’s stop on the penalty shot, the Royals scored 1:27 later. Loic Leduc guided the puck up the left wall at neutral ice to Huntebrinker. On a two-on-one, he shot it from the left circle to the far post low and under Williams.

The Monarchs exploded for four in the second. Sam Kurker and Matt Marcinew scored two goals separated by 18 seconds, gunning Manchester to a 2-1 lead at :33 of the second. Jordan Smotherman scored two goals in the period.

Huntebrinker scored a power-play goal at 10:25 of the frame, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The puck pinballed off Chase Golightly’s centering pass, first off Matt Willows and then Huntebrinker. Willows tops the Royals with 24 points (9 goals).

The Royals are home Thurs., Dec. 28 at 7:00 p.m. against the Worcester Railers with $5 Green Zone tickets. It’s APHILLYation night with a player postgame autographs, courtesy of Rieck’s printing.

Hero Night on Sat., Dec. 30The Royals will wear Captain America jerseys and meet your favorite hero on the concourse on Sat., Dec. 30 at 7:00 p.m. Reading battles the Adirondack Thunder, who will wear Ultron Jerseys.

Meet Jerry “The King” Lawler on Wrestling Night Jan. 5Meet wrestling legend Jerry “The King” Lawler at Santander Arena and watch the Royals battle the Brampton Beast on Fri., Jan. 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Santa Sacks Holiday GiftStuff the stocking with Santa Sacks! Get an autographed Royals puck and come out to three of our biggest games for just $30.- Sat., Jan. 20 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Slapshot bobblehead giveaway, THON Night, Star Wars jerseys)- Fri., Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Pink in the Rink, knit scarf giveaway)- Sat., Mar. 17 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Yannick Tifu number retired, Meet WWE Million Dollar Man)- Sat., Mar. 24 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Worcester (Kelly Cup Tribute puck giveaway, Autism Awareness jerseys)- Sat., Apr. 7 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Norfolk (FANdemonium, fan appreciation, fan’s choice giveaway)- Call 610-898-PUCK and tickets are available here.

More $5 TicketsThe Royals host Worcester on Thurs., Dec. 28 at 7:00 p.m. and have $5 Green Zone Tickets. It’s A-PHILLY-ation night with special orange jerseys to celebrate our proud affiliation with the Flyers.- 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.