John Muse earns shutout in 6-0 beating over Manchester

Reading, PA- John Muse denied 32 shots in his first game back with the Reading Royals in a  6-0 domination over the Manchester Monarchs (40-22-3-2, 85pts. 1st in North) Wednesday at Santander Arena. Muse was reassigned to Reading by the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday. He is 18-5-2-0 with Reading and has posted three shutouts.

Reading has earned 80 points in nine straight seasons and the team's magic number to clinch a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs is four. The Royals sit third in the North Division with a 36-23-8-0 mark.

The Royals took a commanding 3-0 lead 1:43 into the first period and added a fourth goal for the most scored in the first period this season. Matt Wilkins scored twice in the first period. Chris McCarthy and Steven Swavely also scored during the early onslaught. Adam Schmidt tied a professional high with three points.

The Royals added a pair of goals in the second period to take a 6-0 lead after 40 minutes. Muse made 15 saves in the third, extending his combined shutout streak between Reading and Lehigh Valley to 156:41.

Box Score

Wilkins scored 41 seconds into the first session, the fastest opening goal of Reading's season. He batted a pass from Schmidt along the right post to open the scoring.

Swavely netted one 35 seconds later off a right-circle shot to give the Royals a 2-0 edge 35 seconds later. Michael Huntebrinker (2a) was awarded the helper.

McCarthy added a goal 27 seconds after that, collecting a rebound off a left-point shot from Chase Golightly for a 3-0 lead 1:43 into the first, the fastest the Royals took a three-goal lead this season.

A tic-tac-toe passing play included all five Royals skaters and set up the fourth goal. Penny set up Wilkins point blank on netminder Evan Cowley with a pass from the right post. Schmidt collected his second assist of the contest at 14:24 of the period.

Matias Cleland took a hard-angle shot from the left slot to add to the lead, 5-0, with 5:01 remaining in the middle frame. Mark Bennett grabbed a point on the assist.

Huntebrinker set up Schmidt for a short-handed breakaway tally that put the game even further out of reach. Schmidt beat Cowley glove side for the 6-0 lead at 17:46 of the middle frame. Cowley stopped 22 shots before being relieved by Charles Williams. Williams blocked all 12 shots he faced.

The Royals man up went 0-for-5 and stopped all three Manchester opportunities.

Pucks N’ Paws Night, Fri., Mar. 30 vs. MAN at 7:00 p.m.The first 2,500 fans receive a Royals team picture. It’s also Pucks ‘N Paws Night and Wiener Dog Races. There will be a special puck drop and a team poster giveaway, courtesy of Tower Health and Rieck’s Printing. It’s also Girl Scout Night, benefitting Eastern PA Girl Scouts.

Tickets are available here.Postgame autograph session, Wed., Apr. 4 vs. WOR at 7:00 p.m.Check out a postgame autograph session with four players, presented by Rieck’s Printing. It’s the final game of the season series between Reading and Worcester and the Royals lead the series, 7-5-1-0.

Tickets are available here.2018-19 season tickets now availableTop full-season benefits include: exclusive Reading Hockey Club per seat gift, discounted rate off regular ticket prices, ticket exchange, preseason meet and greet, exclusive season ticket holder events, advanced entry and a chance to win and the Royals Owner’s Suite for a game. Call 610-898-7825 and visit to join the Royals family or renew season tickets for the 2018-19 season. Visit royalshockey.com/tickets/season-tickets to learn more.

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.

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.