Weekly Release, Vol. 17, No. 12

Halfway through the season and Royals have home games Wed., Fri.

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals have finished the first half of the season and sit five points out of first place entering another week against North Division opponents. Reading starts the week a pair of home games – Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. vs. Worcester and Friday at 7:00 p.m. vs. Adirondack. The Royals are on the road at Adirondack Saturday and first-place Manchester Sunday to finish the weekend.

The Royals are 19-15-2-0, good for 40 points and third in the North.

Reading also announced it will host a press conference on Thurs., Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. at Santander Arena to announce details for their “Battle of the Badges XIII for the FirstStates Cup” game. Fans and media are invited to attend (more details below).

For the second straight year, the Battle of the Badges pits the Reading Police and Fire Department against the Allentown Police and Fire Department on Sun., Feb. 18 at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Royals and Wheeling Nailers at 4:00 p.m. Last season, Reading Police and Fire won a nail-biter, 7-6, in the first edition of “Reading vs. Allentown”.

John Muse picked up three wins last week, including a 28-save shutout Sunday against Worcester for a 3-0 Royals win. The Boston College graduate has won six straight games, possesses an 11-3-1-0 record, and sits second in the league with a 2.20 goals against average and .934 save percentage.

Upcoming Home Games$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.

Team Leaders (Active players)Goals: Matt Willows/Ryan Penny (12) Michael Huntebrinker/Chris McCarthy (11)Assists: Mark Naclerio (19), Matt Willows (18), Nick Luukko (13)Points: Matt Willows (30), Mark Naclerio (29), Ryan Penny (23)PIMs: Ryan Penny (37), Matt Willows (36), Jimmy DeVito (32)+/-: Frank Hora (12), Michael Huntebrinker/Matt Wilkins (8)

Practice schedule

Monday – OFF Day

Tuesday – Practice at 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday – game at 7:00 p.m. vs. WOR

Thursday – TBD

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

Saturday – Game at 7:00 p.m. at ADK

Sunday – Game at 3 p.m. at MAN

This Week

Royals Radio Recon from Jimmy G’s Railroad House: Tues., Jan. 9 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

• Meet Coach Kirk MacDonald and a player guest Tuesday at Jimmy G’s Railroad House from 152 Woodrow Ave. in Sinking Spring. Listen on Rumba 1340 (iHeartRadio app).

Game 37 vs. Worcester: Wed., Jan. 10 at 7:00 p.m.

• Listen on Rumba 1340 (iHeartRadio app). Watch on ECHL.tv and BCTV.
• $5 Green Zone Tickets and postgame autographs

Game 38 vs. Adirondack: Fri., Jan. 12 at 7:00 p.m.

• Listen on Rumba 1340 (iHeartRadio app). Watch ECHL.tv.
• Gym Bag Giveaway

Game 39 at Adirondack: Sat., Jan. 13 at 7:00 p.m.

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

Game 40 at Manchester: Sun., Jan. 14 at 3:00 p.m.

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

Big 3 Storylines3) Battle of the Badges XIII for the FirstStates Cup Press Conference

Fans and media are invited to the Battle of the Badges XIII for the FirstStates Cup press conference this Thurs., Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. at Santander Arena. Details are below

Time, Location: Thurs., Jan. 11 2 p.m. at Santander Arena, Main Arena Entrance StairwellFormat: 20 minutes, followed by individual question and answerInvited: all mediaWho: Reading Police Department, Reading Fire Department, Allentown Police Department, Allentown Fire Department, Reading Royals front officeGuests: Ray Melcher – Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Reading Royals | Ken Christian – CEO FirstStates Financial – Sponsor of the FirstStates Cup (which will be present) | Andrew Rebuck – Reading Fire Department | Josh Faust – Reading Police Department | Mike Pychinka – Allentown Fire Department | Ray Ferraro – Allentown Police Department

After the game on Feb. 18, the Royals host Faith and Family Night, a 4 for $44 Family Day (pres. 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.

2) Packed House5,902 fans packed Santander Arena Saturday, the largest crowd of the season at Santander Arena. Fans came out to support mental health awareness initiatives on Mental Health Awareness Night.

1) Halfway home, and it’s balanced again

The Royals have hit the halfway mark with wins in five of their last seven games, boosting to 40 points. At this point last season, Reading had 44 points and was tied with Brampton for 2nd in the North. The Royals are three points behind Adirondack for second.

Reading has six players with double-digit goals. Matt Willows and Ryan Penny lead the team with 12. Last season, Chris McCarthy had a team-high 16 tallies and five players had at least ten.

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.