Muse stars with career-high 47 saves in come-from-behind shootout win, 4-3

Reading, PA – Reading Royals forward Brian Morgan tied the game early in the third, Michael Huntebrinker scored the winner in the shootout and John Muse made a professional-high 47 saves to boost the Royals to a 4-3 victory over the Brampton Beast Saturday at Santander Arena.

Huntebrinker and Nick Luukko scored in the shootout and Muse made two stops to end the skills competition a round early. Chris Leveille missed the net on Brampton’s final shootout attempt. Muse made a low save on Cody Donaghey to begin the shootout.

In the second, third and overtime frames, the seventh-year professional Muse made 36 saves on 37 shots. He kicked aside three shots in overtime. The native of East Falmouth, MA is 8-1-0-0 with a 1.87 goals against average and .945 save percentage since returning from Lehigh Valley on Dec. 27. Andrew D’Agostini allowed two shootout goals and denied 31 shots in defeat.

The Royals drew 5,720 fans, the second-biggest crowd of the campaign at Santander Arena. The Royals helped raise money for pediatric cancer on THON Night.

Box Score

The Royals scored the first two goals in the opening 5:55. Derek Whitmore sniped his sixth of the season on a turnover by Brampton. Matt Willows (2a) flung it from the right circle to the slot for Whitmore, who slammed it to the top shelf at 3:42.

Next, Wilkins fell to one knee but maintained possession. He tossed to de Haas at the right point. The rookie was wide open, walked to the right circle and delivered it to the top of the left shelf and in for his second of the season. Willows had the secondary assist at 5:55 of the first.

Scott Jacklin and Vincent Dunn helped equalize on goals separated by 1:43. Dunn tied the game at two with 7:59 to go in the first on a shot from the left post. He snuck it by Muse.

Brampton’s Daniel Ciampini scored the go-ahead goal to the top right shelf at 3:05 of the second to make it 3-2 Beast. David Ling and Paul Cianfrini earned the assists.

Reading tied the game at 2:08 of the third. Morgan received the puck from Zajac and Mark Bennett had the secondary assist on the shot that came low and to the right post.

Both teams had power plays in overtime. Reading was 1-for-4 on the man up and is 3-for-9 on the power play over the last games. Brampton went 0-for-2 on power-play chances.

The Reading Royals finish up the weekend with a rematch against the Beast Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Any fan that wears Eagles or Royals gear to Sunday’s game receives a free ticket to Reading’s game next Wed., Jan. 24 at 7:00 p.m. against Toledo. Season ticket holders will get a free ticket in their section to next Wednesday’s game.

Meet a bunch of local mascots at Sunday’s contest with Mascot Mania on Slapshot’s Birthday. Plus, it’s $5 Green Zone tickets and a 4 for $44 Family Day, presented by Safe Berks, Berks Packing and Coca-Cola. At 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.

Mascot Mania, 4 for $44 Family Day and $5 Green Zone Tickets Jan. 21Sun., Jan 21 vs BRM at 3 p.m.: Slapshot’s Birthday/ Mascot Mania. 4 for $44 Family Days presented by Safe Berks, Berks Packing and Coca-Cola. Postgame Autograph session, and kids will receive an autograph 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. Thanks to Rieck’s Printing.

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, channel 15 Comcast, channel 19 Service Electric.