Game 39 Preview: Reading at Adirondack

Royals also announce Hummelstown native F Dillan Fox has signed contract

Glens Falls, NY – The Reading Royals (20-16-2-0, 42 pts., 4th North) have a rematch set with the Adirondack Thunder (21-15-1-2, 45 pts., 2nd North) Saturday at 7:00 p.m. from Cool Insuring Arena in the middle game of a three-in-three. Additionally, forward Dillan Fox, a native of Hummelstown, PA, has signed a contract with the Royals and will wear #37.

The Royals are 7-3-0-0 against Adirondack this season. Reading finished the home slate of the series against the Thunder with a 5-2-0-0 record. Adirondack defeated Reading, 3-0, Friday. John Muse made 18 saves and allowed two goals.

Sunday, the team finishes the road trip at Manchester for a 3:00 p.m. showdown, with Royals Pregame coverage starting at 2:45 p.m. on BCTV and Rumba 1340. Listen in to the BCTV Jimmy G’s Trivia Question of the game for your chance to win a gift card to Jimmy G’s Railroad House in Sinking Spring, PA.

The Royals are home next week for a pair of games against Brampton. First, it’s THON, Scout and Star Wars Night Sat., Jan. 20 vs. the Beast at 7 p.m. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Slapshot Star Wars bobblehead. The Royals will wear Star Wars jerseys and help raise money for THON.

On Sunday at 4:00 p.m., it’s Slapshot’s Birthday and Mascot Mania, plus a 4 for $44 Family Day, presented by Safe Berks, Berks Packing and Coca-Cola. After the game, check out a postgame autograph session. Kids will receive an autographed book (first 1,000 kids 14 and Under) courtesy of Prospectus Berco & M.P. Butterworth and Associates.

Fox joins ReadingThe Royals signed forward Dillan Fox Friday and the forward has joined the team for the trip up to Adirondack. He was the leading scorer in the SPHL (15g) with the Mississippi Riverkings and tacked on seven assists in 25 games.

The 26-year-old spent last year with Mississippi, scoring 16 goals and 36 points in his rookie season. He graduated from SUNY-Plattsburgh in 2015-16.

The Hummelstown, PA native is one of four players from the Keystone State on the active roster; Nick Luukko (West Chester), Chris McCarthy (Collegeville) and Adam Schmidt (Warrington). Fox joined Reading for training camp.

Huntebrinker replaces Krushelnyski on All-Star Classic RosterReading Royals forward Michael Huntebrinker has replaced forward Alex Krushelnyski on the North Division roster for the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, to be hosted by the Indy Fuel on Monday, Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. ET at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum and telecast in the United States on NHL Network. Additionally, Huntebrinker will participate in the Rapid Fire Shootout Challenge as part of The 2018 Blue Indy/ECHL Skills Competition. Krushelnyski was recalled on loan to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Thursday.

Huntebrinker has 11 goals and 19 points in 30 games this season, the club’s top rookie scorer. The St. Louis, MO native leads the Royals with eight goals since Dec. 1. He was named Reading’s Rookie of the Month in December with eight tallies, 11 points and a plus-eight rating in 14 games.

Keeping up with the movesBesides the Fox addition, the Royals have eight other roster moves since Wednesday. Here they are:January 10th - Royals acquire F Mark Bennett from Tulsa for future considerations | F Ryan Penny loaned to Binghamton (AHL) | F Alex Krushelnyski returned on loan to Reading from Lehigh Valley | Royals suspend F Mark Naclerio.January 11th - F Alex Krushelnyski recalled on loan to Lehigh Valley | Royals sign F Dillan Fox | Royals acquire D Mike Krieg from South Carolina for future considerations.

Big crowds thereThe Royals are 2-1-0-0 against the Thunder at Cool Insuring Arena and two of those crowds were sell outs. The Thunder drew a season-high 4,869 against the Royals on Dec. 31 and earned a 3-0 shutout win with 29 saves from Drew Fielding. In the first meeting, Reading took an early lead, Matt Willows scored the game-winning goal and Mark Dekanich made 39 saves to silence the Thunder, 3-2, in front of 4,843 on Nov. 25.

A more modest 2,534 watched the Royals stomp Adirondack, 5-1, on Dec. 8.

The bands are back togetherBoth teams have received important additions in recent weeks, whether in injury returns or players coming back from the AHL. On the Royals side, Matt Wilkins and Tyler Brown have returned from injury and played on the penalty kill. Reading has gone six straight games without allowing a man-up goal. John Muse returned from Lehigh Valley Dec. 27 and has won all six games for the Royals since returning from the holiday break. Reading is 6-3-0-0 since Christmas.

The Thunder added Shane Conacher to the roster Dec. 30 and he has nine points since coming back. Ty Loney came back from the AHL in late December. In the 2018 calendar year, he has three goals and seven points in six games.

THON, Scout and Star Wars Night Jan. 20Sat., Jan. 20 vs BRM at 7 p.m.: THON Night, Scout Night, and Star Wars Night. First 2,000 fans will receive a Slapshot bobblehead. The Royals will wear Star Wars jerseys.

Mascot Mania, 4 for $44 Family Day and $5 Green Zone Tickets Jan. 21Sun., Jan 21 vs BRM at 4 p.m.: Slapshot’s Birthday/ Mascot Mania. 4 for $44 Family Days presented by Safe Berks, Berks Packing and Coca-Cola. Post-game Autograph session, and kids will receive an autographed book (first 1,000 kids 14 and Under) courtesy of Prospectus Berco & M.P. Butterworth and Associates.

$5 Green Zone Tickets and postgame player photo and autograph session Wed., Jan. 24 vs. ToledoWed., Jan 24 vs TOL at 7 p.m. Postgame photo and autograph session with four players. (Players TBA) Thanks to, Rieck’s Printing.

Tickets to three of our biggest games for $30 – Purple and Black PackGet 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.

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 are shown locally on BCTV.