Royals tie in third but fall in OT, 5-4

Two goals in third get Royals a point

Wheeling, WV – Chris McCarthy (1g, 1a) and Mark Naclerio (2g) scored in the third to tie the game at four, but Garrett Meurs scored 2:10 into overtime to secure a 5-4 victory for the Wheeling Nailers Saturday at Wesbanco Arena.

Naclerio and McCarthy tallied 14 seconds apart in the third, tying the game with 8:59 left. Meurs scored on a left-circle shot following a giveaway to the top of the left circle. The first goal from Naclerio came on a left-circle rebound at 10:48 of the third. McCarthy’s shot battled in at the right post after a Nailers player accidentally batted it in.

Reading attempted 43 shots on goal, with 39 saves from Will King (win). Mark Dekanich had the overtime loss with 28 saves. The Royals out-shot the Nailers, 14-6, in the third.

Four Royals had multi-point games. The clubs combined for 54 penalty minutes.

As a special holiday gift to our fans, it’s $5 Green Zone tickets as the Royals host the Nailers on Wed., Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m. Following the game, we will have a special postgame autograph session, presented by Rieck’s Printing. Tickets are available here.

Box Score

Krushelnyski scored for the third straight game and the Royals took a 1-0 lead at 5:33 of the first. Willows caught Krushelnyski in sync on a pass from the left corner to the right post. McCarthy garnered the second helper.

Zach Tolkinen answered nine minutes later for Wheeling on a shot from the center blue line, tying the game, 1-1. Reading’s Matt Wilkins fought Hunter Fejes in the left corner with 42 seconds to go in the first. The physicality continued in the second with 38 combined penalty minutes. Loic Leduc and Wheeling’s Jeff Taylor were each ejected.

The Nailers also potted three goals in the second. With Reading down, 3-1, Royals forward Mark Naclerio trimmed the edge by roofing the puck on a rebound at the left post. He waited for the goaltender King to declare his move and Naclerio beat him with a laser over the shoulder. Leduc and Adam Schmidt received assists.

Wheeling added insurance at 11:55 of the second with a goal from Cam Brown off a rebound at the right slot.

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.

Reading hosts the Nailers again on Sat., Dec. 16 with the annual Teddy Bear Toss game and Ugly Sweater Jerseys. Plus, the first 2,000 fans receive a Royals Christmas ornament, presented by Met-Ed.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.

$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.

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.