Royals give back to policemen and firefighters with Battle of the Badges XIII

Reading Police and Fire take on Allentown squads on Sun., Feb. 18

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals announced Thursday the Battle of the Badges XIII for the FirstStates Cup will take place on Sun., Feb. 18 at 12:30 p.m., with the Reading Police and Fire Department facing the Allentown Police and Fire Department. Immediately following the Battle of the Badges, the Royals host Wheeling at 4:00 p.m. One ticket gains entry into both games and a portion of every ticket sold from the game benefits the Battle of the Badges Scholarship Fund established to help the children of firefighters and police officers. Tickets to the doubleheader are available here, calling 610-898-PUCK (7825) or visiting https://royals.isportstix.com/order/group/Battleofthebadges2018/.

“We are excited to honor and help donate to our local heroes that play a vital role in the Reading and Allentown communities,” said Royals Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Ray Melcher. “The Battle of the Badges game is consistent with our commitment to honor those that make a positive impact. The Royals are a lot more than hockey. As strong as police and fire departments are is how strong their communities are and the same could be said about education. That’s why the Battle of the Badges Scholarship Fund is essential.”

For the second straight year, Reading Police and Fire Departments face off against the Allentown squads. Last season, Reading Police and Fire won a nail-biter, 7-6, in the first edition of “Reading vs. Allentown”.

After the game on Feb. 18, the Royals host Faith and Family Night, a 4 for $44 Family Day (presented by Safe Berks, Berks Packing and Coca-Cola) and a Slapshot t-shirt giveaway to the first 1,000 kids, presented by Bethany Children’s Home.

“We’re all in to support and honor local policemen and firefighters, as they help make Reading and Allentown some of the most-fabulous places to live and work,” Melcher explained.

Why did the game begin?The BOB Game began in 2006 as a benefit game played in remembrance of fallen Reading Police Officer Michael H. Wise II, who died in the line of duty in June of 2004, and Reading Police Officer Scott A. Wertz who was fatally wounded in the line of duty in August of 2006.  The game also raises funds for the police and fire departments scholarship funds.

SeriesLast season, a high-scoring affair went Reading’s way, 7-6, against Allentown in the first-ever meeting between the respective towns’ fire and police departments.

In the historical matchup between the Reading Fire Department and Reading Police Department, Fire won the series 6-4-1.Dates and Scores

February 19, 2006                   Fire                  3          Police              3 (tie)

February 18, 2007                   Fire                  4          Police              2

February 17, 2008                   Fire                  3          Police              2

February 15, 2009                   Fire                  4          Police              2

February 28, 2010                   Police              6          Fire                  0

February 17, 2011                   Fire                  3          Police              2 (shootout win)

February 26, 2012                   Fire                  3          Police              2

February 10, 2013                   Police              6          Fire                  2

March 16, 2014                       Police              8          Fire                  6

March 8, 2015                         Fire                  4          Police              3

March 6, 2016                         Police              6          Fire                  2

March 5, 2017                         Reading           7          Allentown       6

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 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. (Players TBA) Thanks to, Rieck’s Printing.

Tickets to three of our biggest games for $30 – Purple and Black Three-Game 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.