Reading falls to Worcester, 3-2

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals dropped the first of three-consecutive games against the Worcester Railers, 3-2, in front of the largest crowd of the season at Santander Arena (5,902). Jeff Kubiak scored with 22 seconds left for Worcester and the Railers scored two in the final 5:02 to defeat Reading (18-15-2-0, 38 pts.). Ryan Penny scored his tenth of the season and 100th professional point in defeat.

Reading jumped to a 2-1 lead with 6:28 left in the third on a deflection strike from Chris McCarthy at the slot. Nolan Zajac and Frank Hora assisted. Worcester’s Matt Lane answered 1:26 later to tie the game, 2-2, seconds after a wrap-around attempt from Scott Tanski came within inches of putting the Royals up two.

Mark Dekanich lost despite 24 saves. Eamon McAdam denied 34 saves and allowed two goals for the win.

Box Score

Penny struck first, knocking in a rebound at the right post, assisted by Matias Cleland and Mark Naclerio, to take a 1-0 lead at 4:59 of the first period. Seventy-four of Penny’s 100 professional points have come in a Royals uniform. Cleland earned his first point as a Royal off the helper.

Reading held Worcester to two shots in the first period, the fewest allowed in a frame by the Royals this season.

The Railers added more pressure on netminder Mark Dekanich in the second, taking 15 shots and scoring the lone middle-frame goal at 9:17 to tie the game, 1-1. Kellen Jones scored.

McCarthy deflected a slap shot from Zajac past netminder Eamon McAdam to take a 2-1 lead at 13:33 of the third.

Worcester finished off the Royals with 22 seconds left in regulation time with a goal off a wrist shot from DiChiara.

Dollar Dogs and Postgame skate Jan. 7Sun., Jan 7 vs. WOR at 4 p.m.: Dollar dog day presented by Safe Berks, Berks Packing and Coca-Cola, and a postgame skate presented by Body Zone.

$5 Green Zone Tickets, Post-game photo and autographs Jan. 10Wed., Jan 10 vs WOR at 7 p.m.: Post-game photo and autograph session with four players (players TBA) thanks to Rieck’s Printing.

Gym Bag giveaway on Jan. 12 vs. ADK at 7 p.m.– First 2,000 fans receive a gym bag (Tower Health).

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.

Purple and Black three-game pack on sale 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.

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

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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.