Weekly Release: Royals in playoff position to begin calendar year

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals (16-14-2-0, 34 pts., T-3rd North) are in playoff position to begin the 2018 calendar year and have four games this week, including three home contests Jan. 5-7.

The Royals went 2-1-0-0 last week and scored 11 goals in three games. The turnaround included a 6-2 triumph over Worcester in front of more than 4,000 fans on Thursday. Reading wore Captain America jerseys and hosted its first-ever Saturday in a 5-3 victory vs. Adirondack (Ultron).

Reading is at Worcester this Wed., Jan. 3 for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. The squads play four times from Jan. 3-10. After Wednesday, the Royals begin a five-game home stand. Here’s what’s going on at Santander Arena.

Meet Jerry “The King” Lawler on Pro Wrestling Night Jan. 5Meet wrestling legend Jerry “The King” Lawler at Santander Arena and watch the Royals battle the Brampton Beast on Fri., Jan. 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Mental Health Awareness Night and Kelly Cup Puck Giveaway Jan. 6Sat., Jan 6 vs. WOR at 7 p.m.: Kelly Cup Tribute Championship puck to the first 2,000 fans courtesy of Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association.

$5 Green Zone Tickets, Dollar Dogs and Postgame skate Jan. 7Sun., Jan 7 vs. WOR at 4 p.m.: $5 Green Zone Tickets, Dollar dog day presented by Safe Berks, Berks Packing and Coca-Cola, and a postgame skate presented by Body Zone.

$5 Green Zone Tickets vs. Worcester on Wed., Jan. 10Wed., Jan. 10 vs. WOR at 7 p.m. The Royals return $5 Green Zone tickets as a special fan gift for all games played Sunday-Thursday in January.

Pucks ‘N Paws Night, gym bag giveaway, Weiner Dog Races Fri., Jan. 12Fri., Jan. 12 vs. ADK at 7 p.m. – First 2,000 fans receive a gym bag (Tower Health). It’s also Pucks ‘N Paws Night and Weiner Dog Races. There will be a special doggy puck drop.

Team Leaders (Active players)Goals: Matt Willows/Michael Huntebrinker (11), Mark Naclerio (10)Assists: Matt Willows (16), Mark Naclerio (15), Adam Schmidt (12)Points: Matt Willows (27), Mark Naclerio (25), Chris McCarthy/Ryan Penny (19)PIMs: Matt Willows (36), Ryan Penny (35), Jimmy DeVito (32)+/-: Frank Hora (12), Michael Huntebrinker (9), Matt Wilkins (8)

Practice schedule

Monday – New Year’s Day OFF Day

Tuesday – Royals leave for Worcester at 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday – game at 7:05 p.m. at WOR

Thursday – OFF Day

Friday – Morning skate at 10:00 a.m. Game at 7:00 p.m. vs. BRM

Saturday – Game at 7 p.m. vs. WOR

Sunday – Game at 4 p.m. vs. WOR

This Week

Game 33 at Worcester: Wed., Jan. 3 at 7:05 p.m.

• Listen on Rumba 1340 (iHeartRadio app). Watch on ECHL.tv and BCTV

Game 34 vs. Brampton: Fri., Jan. 5 at 7:00 p.m.

• Listen on Rumba 1340 (iHeartRadio app). Watch ECHL.tv.
• Meet wrestling legend Jerry “The King” Lawler at Santander Arena

Game 35 vs. Worcester: Sat., Jan. 6 at 7:00 p.m.

• Listen on Rumba 1340 (iHeartRadio app), Watch on ECHL.tv.
• Kelly Cup Tribute Championship puck to the first 2,000 fans courtesy of Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association.

Game 36 vs. Worcester: Sun., Jan. 7 at 4:00 p.m.

• Listen on Rumba 1340 (iHeartRadio app), Watch on ECHL.tv.
• $5 Green Zone Tickets, Dollar dog day presented by Safe Berks, Berks Packing and Coca-Cola, and a postgame skate presented by Body Zone.

Big 3 Storylines3) Win and they will come

The Royals had two of its best crowds of the season Thursday and Saturday at Santander Arena. Thursday, Reading filled the Green Zone with $5 tickets and 4,093 fans packed the rink to watch a 6-2 win. Saturday, more than 3,300 came through the gates to watch a 5-3 triumph over Adirondack.

The wildly successful $5 Green Zone tickets promotion continues as a special gift to our great fans in January 2018. Any January home game from Sunday-Thursday will have $5 Green Zone tickets.

Reading has an 11-5-0-0 record at home, best in the North Division.

2) Rook success

The Royals have added rookies F Jimmy DeVito, D Matias Cleland, F Jack Ceglarski, F Brian Morgan and D Nick Neville over the last month. Other first-year players F Michael Huntebrinker, D Frank Hora and D James de Haas have been wildly successful in their debuts.

Huntebrinker topped the Royals with eight goals this month (11 points) and added his first professional hat trick Saturday. Morgan scored the game-winning goal Saturday and had his first ECHL multi-goal and three-point night (2g, 1a). DeVito has scored two goals in his first five games with the Royals. Meanwhile, Hora and de Haas paired together Sunday. Combined, Hora has a plus-18 rating and de Haas has a plus-11 including their stints in Lehigh Valley.

1) Jerry “The King” LawlerWith WWE legend Jerry “The King” Lawler set to make an appearance at Santander Arena, catch The King with Royals In-Arena Host Mike Keller on WEEU this Tues., Jan. 2 at 8:05 a.m. To listen, tune to WEEU 830 AM.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 at 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.